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US sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil prompt a pause by China’s state oil firms. India is also poised to trim seaborne Russian crude purchases. Move threatens a demand dip from Russia’s two biggest customers. Pipeline flows to China are seen continuing as usual. Prices for ESPO crude have eased amid the uncertainty.
Customs lays out a three-phase plan to clear stranded cargo. First batches include trucks turned back at Bab-e-Dosti and NLC terminals. Hundreds of vehicles still waiting at Chaman and other depots. Ceasefire paves way for trade normalization; further talks due Oct 25.
Tomato prices climb over 400% amid extended border shutdowns. Trade losses estimated at $1m per day for each side, traders say. Thousands of containers stranded; perishable cargo reportedly spoiled. Ceasefire holds, but border commerce awaits negotiations in Istanbul.
Ishaq Dar urges deeper regional connectivity to drive growth and stability. He says Pakistan will align transport plans and mobilise joint investment. CPEC is framed as a catalyst for infrastructure and trade across the region. Officials call for actionable steps to boost logistics and integration.
Aurangzeb forecasts 3.5% growth amid cooling inflation and firmer FX buffers. All three big rating agencies have upgraded Pakistan’s outlook, he says. CPEC Phase-II advances with 24 joint projects signed in Beijing. IMF staff-level deal set to unlock $1.2bn after board approval. Government eyes yuan green bond and a $1bn international issue.
Explosions in Romania and Hungary shut key refineries hours apart. No official sabotage claims yet, but timing fuels suspicion. EU just advanced a plan to end Russian energy imports by 2028. Probes are underway as disruptions highlight Europe’s energy vulnerabilities.
Oil cargoes are stranded at ports after Sindh reinstated 100% IDC guarantees. Industry warns of nationwide station dry-outs within days without relief. OCAC says IDC adds over Rs3/litre and urges immediate cargo clearance. Calls grow for a policy solution and federal alignment on pricing jurisdiction.
Washington and Canberra signed a minerals deal to diversify away from China. Each side plans $1bn in near-term investments and a price floor for key minerals. EXIM signaled $2.2bn in financing; a gallium refinery is planned in Western Australia. Trump reaffirmed support for AUKUS while taking a swipe at Ambassador Kevin Rudd.
KSE-100 notched another record intraday high as momentum persisted. Optimism stems from the IMF staff-level deal and upbeat earnings expectations. September posted a $110m current account surplus, surprising forecasters. Analysts caution the Q1 deficit still totals $594m, limiting near-term relief. Privatisation signals and expected Saudi inflows also buoyed sentiment.
Ministers back a phased cutoff for Russian gas by Jan 2028. New contracts barred from 2026; short-term deals end mid-2026. Plan heads to talks with European Parliament before final approval. Russia’s gas share in EU has plunged since 2022. Separate package aims to ban Russian LNG from 2027.
Islamabad and the IMF are drafting contingency taxes if revenues miss targets. Options include hiking GST on imported solar panels to 18% and lifting internet withholding to 18–20%. Measures would activate only if H1 shortfall persists and spending cuts fall short. IMF cut growth outlook to 3.25–3.5% but kept the 11% tax-to-GDP goal. FBR missed Q1 by Rs198bn and needs Rs6.695tr by December.
Beijing rejected reports Pakistan sent rare earth samples to the US using Chinese tech. China said the samples shown were locally purchased gem ores, not REE linked to China. Officials stressed China–Pakistan ties remain an "all-weather" partnership. New export controls on certain rare earth technologies take effect on Nov 8 and aren’t Pakistan-specific. Beijing said the move is a legal step to tighten oversight and reduce proliferation risks.
