Economy

FATF warns hawala and underground banking are fueling global money laundering
Markets

FATF warns hawala and underground banking are fueling global money laundering

A new FATF report warns that hawala and underground banking networks are increasingly exploited for money laundering, citing an Oman-Pakistan case.

Exclusive: PC Hotels may be split under proposed settlement in Pakistan Services ownership battle
Markets

Exclusive: PC Hotels may be split under proposed settlement in Pakistan Services ownership battle

Five PC hotels could be divided between Thatta Cement and Fauji Foundation under an unannounced settlement following a year-long battle over control of Pakistan Services Limited, sources say.

OGRA revises wellhead gas prices upward, E&P companies to benefit
Business

OGRA revises wellhead gas prices upward, E&P companies to benefit

Prices for July-December 2026 rise an estimated 8-10% on the back of higher oil prices, Topline Research says

SECP registers 4,761 new companies in August, IT sector leads
Markets

SECP registers 4,761 new companies in August, IT sector leads

Total registered companies crosses 311,765 as Chinese investors dominate foreign participation

PSX partners with UK's MOBILIST programme to boost sustainable investment
Business

PSX partners with UK's MOBILIST programme to boost sustainable investment

Partnership aims to connect eligible businesses with equity capital and advisory support for listing on the exchange

Petroleum Minister welcomes GPXP's interest in expanding investment in Pakistan's energy sector
Top Stories

Petroleum Minister welcomes GPXP's interest in expanding investment in Pakistan's energy sector

Ali Pervaiz Malik met GPXP's CEO to discuss expanding investment in Pakistan's energy sector and strengthening Kuwait ties.

Dutch central bank moves 86 tons of gold from US, Canada to London
Top Stories

Dutch central bank moves 86 tons of gold from US, Canada to London

DNB cites geopolitical tensions and crisis preparedness as reasons behind the relocation, joining other European central banks

Pakistan's trade deficit widens 10% to USD 3.17bn in August
Research

Pakistan's trade deficit widens 10% to USD 3.17bn in August

Imports climbed 7% to USD 5.68bn in August, outpacing 4% export growth to USD 2.51bn and pushing the trade gap wider, PBS data showed.

Pakistan cotton arrivals rise 27% to 1.7mn bales as Sindh leads gains
Markets

Pakistan cotton arrivals rise 27% to 1.7mn bales as Sindh leads gains

Pakistan's textile mills bought 1.465mn cotton bales as unsold stock fell to 158,569 bales, PCGA data shows, signalling firmer offtake.

SECP issues notices to 28,761 companies over beneficial ownership disclosures
Markets

SECP issues notices to 28,761 companies over beneficial ownership disclosures

Companies now have just 30 days to file Form 19 with regulators or risk penalties as high as PKR 10 million each.

Pakistan moves from stabilization toward structural reforms, ICMA report says
Research

Pakistan moves from stabilization toward structural reforms, ICMA report says

ICMA says Pakistan's economic indicators improved through early 2026, but employment, SOE reform and implementation gaps still hold back progress.

Pakistan cement dispatches slip 0.7% as northern volumes fall
Markets

Pakistan cement dispatches slip 0.7% as northern volumes fall

Southern cement exports jumped nearly 40% in August, helping cushion a sharp decline in dispatches from Pakistan's northern mills.

Pioneer Cement approves merger into Maple Leaf Cement at 2.65-share swap ratio
Markets

Pioneer Cement approves merger into Maple Leaf Cement at 2.65-share swap ratio

Maple Leaf Cement will issue 136 million new shares to fully absorb Pioneer Cement, in a deal brokerages expect to be earnings accretive.

IMF's Georgieva warns global growth remains vulnerable despite stronger 2026 outlook
Research

IMF's Georgieva warns global growth remains vulnerable despite stronger 2026 outlook

IMF chief cites unfinished energy shock, record public debt and AI uncertainty as key risks facing the world economy

Pakistan could build USD 1 Bn fruit and vegetable export industry in three years, SE Fruits CFO says
Business

Pakistan could build USD 1 Bn fruit and vegetable export industry in three years, SE Fruits CFO says

SE Fruits and Vegetables, preparing for a proposed PSX listing, says better cold-chain and processing could sharply lift exports.

Pakistan OMC sales fall 3% in August, but FY27 volumes up 10%
Business

Pakistan OMC sales fall 3% in August, but FY27 volumes up 10%

Diesel demand dropped sharply in Pakistan's OMC sector in August, even as PSO grew its market share and Cnergyico posted the fastest growth.

Pakistan's inflation accelerates to 11.15% in August
Research

Pakistan's inflation accelerates to 11.15% in August

Onion prices jump 46% and transport costs surge 20% year-on-year, pushing CPI past Topline's forecast

FBR beats two-month tax target by PKR 12 Bn despite weak August collection
Top Stories

FBR beats two-month tax target by PKR 12 Bn despite weak August collection

FBR's revenue grew just 3.3% in July-August, far below the 17.4% pace needed to hit its PKR 15.263trn annual IMF target.

SBP's net FX intervention plunges 76% to USD 154 Mn in May
Business

SBP's net FX intervention plunges 76% to USD 154 Mn in May

Pakistan still met its FY2026 reserve goal even as dollar buying cooled, with a bigger USD 20.2bn target set for December.

Aurangzeb champions export-led growth as Pak EXIM signs key financing agreements
Business

Aurangzeb champions export-led growth as Pak EXIM signs key financing agreements

Finance Minister highlights Pakistan's fiscal turnaround while Pak EXIM inks reinsurance and SME risk-sharing deals worth billions