TOP STORIES
- PIA suspends Riyadh flights amid escalating Middle East tensions
Pakistan International Airlines advises passengers to verify flight status before heading to the airport as regional security concerns disrupt air travel. - Shehbaz Sharif condemns Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, vows Pakistan’s support
The prime minister reaffirmed Islamabad’s commitment to Saudi sovereignty and security, calling for an immediate halt to attacks on the Kingdom. - Brent crude oil surges above $105 as Middle East tensions escalate
International oil prices jump more than 5% as escalating Middle East tensions raise fears of further supply disruptions. - Govt raises electricity tariff by Rs1.11 per unit for August FCA
NEPRA approves a Rs1.1086 per-unit positive fuel charges adjustment for August 2026, to be recovered from eligible consumers in October bills.
FINANCE
- Government moves to simplify retailers’ tax registration in Pakistan
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb reviews the retailers’ tax scheme, focusing on easier compliance, identifying unregistered businesses, and expanding the country’s tax base. - ECC approves investment of export development fund in government securities
The committee also approved several financial allocations and reforms covering SMEs, railways, elections, sports, agriculture and revenue automation. - Finance Ministry clarifies Rs10.1 trillion SOE debt figure
Ministry says the figure reflects total interest-bearing obligations of federal SOEs, not fresh bank borrowing - Pakistan, Bahrain agree to finalise FTA with GCC
The two countries also target doubling bilateral trade within three years while expanding cooperation in investment, energy, agriculture, IT and logistics.
NATIONAL
- Pakistan cuts petrol price by 66 paisas, raises diesel rate for October 10–12
The government sets petrol at Rs398.30 per litre and high-speed diesel at Rs396.24 under the daily fuel pricing mechanism. - Weekly inflation nears 12% as wheat flour, electricity and fuel prices surge
Pakistan’s year-on-year SPI inflation reaches 11.97% in the week ended October 8, 2026, while weekly prices rise 0.57%, according to PBS data. - PSO charges Rs1.33 per litre as dollar-rupee exchange rate adjustment on petrol
Pakistan’s petrol pricing formula includes an exchange rate adjustment of Rs1.33 per litre, taking the total petrol price to Rs398.96 per litre effective October 9, 2026. - Today petrol price reaches near Rs400 per liter in Pakistan: October 9, 2026
The government raises petrol by Rs2.31 per litre and high-speed diesel by Rs0.78 under the daily fuel pricing mechanism.
TAXATION
- FBR moves to curb possible misuse of Export Facilitation Scheme
Customs officials and PCDMA agree to strengthen monitoring of duty-free chemical imports and link raw material consumption with export performance. - Pakistan Customs to auction shilajit, imported tea and other goods in Peshawar on October 14
The Customs Enforcement Collectorate has listed 30 lots of perishable goods and other items, including 30kg of raw shilajit, imported food products, cosmetics and vehicles-related auction inventory. - Income tax return filing deadline extended to October 31, 2026
The Sindh Revenue Board has granted agricultural income taxpayers an additional month to file returns, citing difficulties in meeting the September 30 deadline. - FBR sets 120-day deadline for Commissioner (Appeals) to decide tax appeals
Section 129 allows a 60-day extension for recorded reasons and empowers the Commissioner (Appeals) to confirm, modify or annul assessment orders.
MONEY & BANKING
- SBP receives $10.9 billion in workers’ remittances during Q1 FY27
Pakistan’s remittance inflows rise 14% to $10.9 billion in July–September, while September receipts reach $3.6 billion, supporting external-sector stability. - Meezan Bank approves 6,880 housing finance cases worth Rs49 billion under Ghar Ho Tu Apna scheme
The bank has received more than 27,800 applications worth Rs179 billion, while 1,000 families have received financing of Rs7.34 billion as of September 30, 2026. - Currency in circulation surges 12.32% to Rs11.94 trillion in FY26: SBP
Pakistan’s cash in circulation rises by Rs1.31 trillion in a year as digital payment transactions expand and QR-enabled merchants more than triple. - SBP reserves rise $15 million to $21.45 billion
Pakistan’s total liquid foreign exchange reserves reached $26.80 billion in the week ended October 2, according to the State Bank of Pakistan.
TRADE AND INDUSTRY
- PM Shehbaz orders measures to expand finance for housing, agriculture and SMEs
Prime minister directs authorities to remove lending bottlenecks and make the SME Portal operational by November to improve access to credit. - SBP clears export of 200,000 tonnes of sugar under new quotaCentral bank sets payment, shipping and reporting conditions for sugar exports approved by the ECC and Federal Cabinet.
- Pakistan secures additional 70,000-tonne rice export deal with Malaysia
Additional rice exports to Malaysia are expected to boost foreign exchange earnings, support farmers and strengthen Pakistan’s export-led growth strategy. - Pakistan exports rise 11% to $8.42 billion in 1QFY27
Pakistan’s exports increased by 11% in the first quarter of FY27, but faster import growth pushed the trade deficit to $10.79 billion.
AUTOMOTIVE
- ECC raises customs duty on imported tyres and motorcycle parts
The government increases additional customs duty to protect local manufacturers, approves first-loss financing coverage for SMEs and farmers, and clears Rs57.85 billion in supplementary grants. - BYD Ocean MPV spotted testing with roof LiDAR ahead of year-end launch
BYD’s upcoming Ocean Series MPV has been spotted charging in China, featuring a conventional body design, sliding rear doors and advanced driver-assistance technology. - Toyota introduces exchange program for 2027 facelifted Corolla with old model
Toyota Clifton has announced a limited-time exchange offer, allowing existing Toyota owners to exchange their vehicles for the new 2027 facelifted Corolla with a convenient key-to-key process. - Suzuki e-Sky uses BYD battery to cut electric vehicle costs
Suzuki’s newly launched e-Sky relies on BYD’s LFP battery technology while targeting the most affordable position in Japan’s Kei EV market.
IT & TELECOM
- Apple confirms October 13 event for new smart home products
The “Welcome home” event is expected to feature a new HomePad smart display, HomePod mini 2 and Apple TV 4K, with all three devices reportedly supporting the next-generation Siri AI. - Apple reportedly cuts iPhone 18 Pro production orders by 15%
A reported reduction in component orders comes amid weaker demand and rising memory prices, although higher prices for the new models could help protect revenue. - Updated price of Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max from October 8, 2026PTA-approved iPhone 18 Pro Max is available in four storage options, with prices ranging from Rs605,000 to Rs1.115 million.
- Samsung may cut smartphone production by up to 30%
Samsung is reportedly asking suppliers to reduce production volumes as rising memory chip costs put pressure on its smartphone business.