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The federal cabinet has approved a Rs1.8 billion special allowance for senior bureaucracy despite ongoing austerity measures and a modest 7 percent raise for general government employees. The decision may intensify debate over elite public-sector perks, fiscal discipline and civil service pay reform.
Pakistan Customs has clarified that most of the Rs520 billion mobile phone import value in FY2025–26 was linked to CKD and SKD kits for local assembly, not finished handsets. The authority says documented premium phone imports have increased, but mainly because some brands are not assembled locally.
Petrol pump owners have announced an indefinite nationwide strike from midnight on July 22 after talks with the government failed over daily fuel pricing and dealers’ margins. The move could disrupt public transport, goods movement and daily travel across Pakistan if no last-minute agreement is reached.
The Pakistan Stock Exchange gained more than 2,000 points during intraday trading as global oil prices eased and investors reacted to renewed mediation hopes between the US and Iran. Analysts also linked the rally to optimism around corporate earnings in major sectors.
A US technology company has proposed a refinery modernisation plan for Pakistan during Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb’s Washington visit. The discussions focused on refinery upgrades, financing options and reducing Pakistan’s reliance on imported petroleum products.
Pakistan’s business community has warned that daily fuel price revisions may increase uncertainty for exporters and manufacturers already facing high energy and tax costs. Industry groups want the government to review the policy, while oil sector stakeholders say the mechanism can improve transparency.
The Supreme Court has dismissed FBR appeals seeking to tax dividend income at the standard 35% corporate rate, holding that Section 5’s 10% final tax applies. The ruling could influence corporate tax planning, investor confidence and future revenue policy.
Pakistan is weighing the return of fuel conservation and austerity measures as Middle East hostilities pressure oil prices and foreign exchange reserves. The government also plans working-day-only fuel price revisions while retaining control over key petroleum levies, duties and margins.
Uzbekistan has started using a new trade corridor to reach Pakistan through the Pakistan-Iran frontier, bypassing Afghanistan. The route could strengthen Pakistan’s role as a regional logistics hub and boost transit trade linked to Gwadar and Karachi ports.
Pakistan’s overall fiscal deficit narrowed to 1.6% of GDP in the first 11 months of FY26, supported by provincial surpluses and higher non-tax revenues. The improvement strengthens fiscal discipline but also underlines the burden of debt servicing and reliance on levies.
Pakistan is moving to daily petroleum price adjustments as global oil volatility increases pressure on domestic fuel rates. The government says the new system will improve transparency, curb market abuse and support a phased deregulation of the petroleum sector.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has assured Chinese nationals and investors of full security as Pakistan and China advance pharmaceutical agreements worth around $440 million. The deals are expected to support CPEC 2.0, local medicine production, vaccine development and healthcare-sector investment.
