Economy

Pakistan registers record 5,438 new companies in July
Business

Pakistan registers record 5,438 new companies in July

IT sector leads registrations with 1,008 new firms as Punjab accounts for 51% of total incorporations

Pakistan’s government borrowing hits PKR 36.79 trillion as cash in circulation falls
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Pakistan’s government borrowing hits PKR 36.79 trillion as cash in circulation falls

Government borrowing for budgetary support rises to PKR 35.80 trillion as currency in circulation drops 2% to PKR 11.91 trillion

Tighter student visa rules put US colleges’ international enrollment at risk
World

Tighter student visa rules put US colleges’ international enrollment at risk

Fitch warns tighter visa rules could pressure enrollment and revenue, with lower-rated institutions and universities heavily dependent on international tuition facing the greatest risk

Pakistan seeks JICA support for ML-1, skills and digital infrastructure
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Pakistan seeks JICA support for ML-1, skills and digital infrastructure

Japan’s development agency also signals support for skills training, rural internet infrastructure and feasibility studies as Islamabad seeks to deepen development cooperation

Pakistan cuts port charges by up to 80% to boost transshipment
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Pakistan cuts port charges by up to 80% to boost transshipment

Karachi Port to offer up to 80% wharfage discounts and 14 days of free storage, while Port Qasim waives wharfage entirely for transshipment cargo

SECP forms working group to cut corporate debt issuance costs, delays
Business

SECP forms working group to cut corporate debt issuance costs, delays

Panel to review ratings, regulations, taxation and Sukuk framework to expand long-term financing options

Pakistan’s July trade deficit widens 22.6% as imports outpace exports
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Pakistan’s July trade deficit widens 22.6% as imports outpace exports

Imports rise 16.8% to USD 6.89 billion, while exports grow 10% to USD 2.97 billion

Finance Act 2026 pairs growth incentives with tougher tax compliance
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Finance Act 2026 pairs growth incentives with tougher tax compliance

ICMA says incentives for agriculture, industry and IT could support investment, but higher levies and stricter compliance may weigh on farmers, exporters and digital businesses

Pakistan seeks faster China refinancing of $1.3 billion loan
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Pakistan seeks faster China refinancing of $1.3 billion loan

Funds are expected later this month as Islamabad seeks to replenish reserves after USD 2.2 billion in external debt repayments in July

Pakistan inflation falls to 9.2% in July as fuel prices ease
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Pakistan inflation falls to 9.2% in July as fuel prices ease

First single-digit reading since March masks persistent food and core price pressures, with geopolitical and supply risks clouding the outlook

Capacity payments remain 61% of Pakistan’s power purchase cost
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Capacity payments remain 61% of Pakistan’s power purchase cost

Payments to generators fell 4.9% to PKR 1.81 trillion in FY2024-25, but fixed charges continued to outweigh energy payments amid low plant utilization

Cotton prices hit PKR 19,300 as supply disruptions tighten Pakistan market
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Cotton prices hit PKR 19,300 as supply disruptions tighten Pakistan market

Punjab prices reach PKR 19,300 per maund as slower fresh arrivals and disrupted imports offset a 32% increase in season-to-date cotton arrivals

Weekly inflation eases, but prices remain 9.05% higher annually
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Weekly inflation eases, but prices remain 9.05% higher annually

Tomatoes, chicken and electricity led the weekly decline, while onions, wheat flour and fuel recorded sharp annual increases

Pakistan’s July inflation seen at 9%-10% as oil prices lift energy, transport costs
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Pakistan’s July inflation seen at 9%-10% as oil prices lift energy, transport costs

Finance Ministry expects inflation to remain elevated despite continued economic recovery and stronger external buffers

Abhi Microfinance Bank plans PKR 2-3 billion IPO next month
Business

Abhi Microfinance Bank plans PKR 2-3 billion IPO next month

Digital lender will offer about 14% of its shares to strengthen capital and fund expansion after turning profitable under new ownership

Qatar LNG tanker crosses Hormuz, heads to Pakistan after July disruptions
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Qatar LNG tanker crosses Hormuz, heads to Pakistan after July disruptions

Al Areesh is the first QatarEnergy-controlled LNG vessel tracked through the strait since early July, with arrival at Port Qasim expected July 31

Pakistan to export 5,000 MG vehicles to Bangladesh
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Pakistan to export 5,000 MG vehicles to Bangladesh

Agreement with Bangladesh’s RANCON Motors marks a new push to expand Pakistan’s auto exports and value-added manufacturing

Pakistan faces $21.5 billion external debt servicing in FY27
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Pakistan faces $21.5 billion external debt servicing in FY27

SBP governor says about USD 7 billion will be actual repayment after expected rollovers and refinancing

US effective tariff rate falls to 7.4% as import mix shifts
World

US effective tariff rate falls to 7.4% as import mix shifts

Fitch says rate would have fallen to 8.4% from tariff changes alone, with electronics imports surging and China shipments dropping 43%

Dubai holiday rental revenue falls 46.5%, but returns beat long-term rentals
UAE

Dubai holiday rental revenue falls 46.5%, but returns beat long-term rentals

One-bedroom holiday homes delivered a 7.2% average gross yield in Q2, versus 5.2% for traditional rentals, as longer stays helped cushion weaker demand