Browse older Business stories through permanent, crawlable archive pages.
The Federal Board of Revenue will proceed with relocating customs assessment operations from Karachi to Islamabad despite concerns from textile exporters over delays and valuation disputes. The authority says average clearance time has fallen to 20.57 hours, while physical inspections and port operations will remain in Karachi.
The KSE-100 Index fell 236.26 points to 166,957.17 during early Friday trading as selling pressure affected banks, energy companies, cement producers and other major sectors. The decline followed Thursday’s strong recovery and coincided with domestic inflation concerns and a wider sell-off in global technology markets.
Power-sector officials and industrial representatives have sought a reduction in levies on furnace oil and diesel as the national power purchaser requests a Rs2.56-per-unit fuel adjustment. The proposed recovery of nearly Rs33 billion remains subject to regulatory approval and could affect November electricity bills.
Pakistan’s merchandise exports rose 7.7% to $8.5 billion in the first quarter of fiscal year 2026-27, while combined goods and services exports reached $11.2 billion. Remittances and foreign investment also increased, although higher imports and persistent inflation remain key economic risks.
The Pakistan Stock Exchange has opened a dedicated counter for trading Shariah-compliant equities and Sukuk under newly approved regulations. Thirty-nine brokers are participating through Islamic windows, while conventional leverage, short selling and derivatives are prohibited.
The Pasban Remittance Rewards Scheme will distribute Rs16 billion annually among eligible recipients of overseas remittances sent through formal banking channels. Beneficiaries receiving at least $100 in each of three consecutive months can qualify automatically, with the first quarterly draw scheduled for January 15, 2027.
Pakistan and China have signed an agreement establishing a green channel for agricultural and allied products at the Sost-Khunjerab border. The system will prioritise eligible and perishable consignments while strengthening customs information sharing and risk-based controls.
Petrol has increased by Rs1.85 to Rs377.91 per litre, while high-speed diesel has risen by Rs1.75 to Rs399.82. The revised rates took effect on October 29 under the government’s petroleum-pricing mechanism.
Pakistan is considering a Rs5 trillion water-infrastructure programme intended to raise water-use efficiency from 40% to 70% by 2029. The plan covers storage facilities, canal modernisation, groundwater protection and the recycling of urban wastewater.
The National Assembly was informed that Pakistan granted Rs11.047 trillion in tax exemptions over five fiscal years. The government is also preparing an LPG policy intended to improve supplies and provide targeted relief to vulnerable households as winter demand approaches.
Petrol has increased by Rs1.54 to Rs379.25 per litre, while high-speed diesel has risen by Rs2.16 to Rs395.82 per litre. The revised ex-depot prices apply from October 27 under Pakistan’s daily fuel-pricing system.
Communications Minister Abdul Aleem Khan says construction of the Sukkur-Hyderabad M-6 motorway will begin next month as part of a wider road-development programme. The project is intended to complete a major missing link in Pakistan’s north-south motorway network and improve freight connectivity with Karachi.
