Funding gap halves foreign-funded projects to Rs255bn
The government cut rupee cover for foreign-funded projects from Rs537bn to Rs255bn, a Senate panel heard, while work on the M6 motorway is due within months.
Economy
The latest Economy news, reporting and analysis from The Indus Compass.
IMF raises Pakistan's inflation forecast to 9.9pc, keeps growth at 3.5pc
The IMF raised its forecast for Pakistan's inflation this fiscal year to 9.9pc from 8.4pc and kept growth at 3.5pc, below the government's 4pc target.
Americans Hall and Woodford win Nobel economics prize for crisis models
Robert Hall and Michael Woodford won the 2026 Nobel economics prize for models that help governments and central banks steady economies in crises.
Pakistan aims to raise over $1bn by selling five or six state firms
Finance Minister Aurangzeb said five or six state firms could be sold this fiscal year for over $1bn, and growth should top 4pc despite high oil prices.
Flour up another Rs6 a kg as chakki owners reject wheat issue price
Karachi millers raised flour prices by Rs6 a kg, taking the week's rise to Rs20, while Hyderabad chakki owners and a PTI MPA attacked government wheat pricing.
Pakistan and IMF reach staff-level deal for $1.2bn tranche
The IMF reached a staff-level agreement on Pakistan's fourth EFF review and third RSF review, clearing the way for about $1.2bn once its board approves.
Sindh to release subsidised wheat as flour prices climb again
Sindh CM Murad Ali Shah approved releasing government wheat at Rs12,500 per 100kg from October 15, after millers in Karachi raised flour prices by Rs14 a kg.
PM Shehbaz orders faster ML-1 work and corporate reforms in railways
PM Shehbaz Sharif told officials to speed up the ML-1 railway upgrade, fund it by developing railway land, and present a commercial plan within two weeks.
State Bank to start clearing cheques by image from October 15
The State Bank of Pakistan will pilot clearing cheques by electronic image instead of paper from October 15, with a nationwide rollout due by April 2027.
PM Shehbaz woos JP Morgan, BlackRock and Citi in London
PM Shehbaz Sharif met five global financial firms in London and became the first Pakistani PM to open trading at the London Stock Exchange.
Aurangzeb opens formal talks with IMF mission as Pakistan seeks next $1.2bn
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb held a kick-off meeting with the IMF mission reviewing Pakistan's $7bn loan, with about $1.2bn at stake by early November.
Punjab Revenue Authority and World Bank agree to build digital system to widen tax base
The PRA and World Bank agreed to use data integration and analytics to find tax evasion and bring new businesses into Punjab's tax net, with PITB's help.
FBR ends sales tax and digital invoices on factory-to-warehouse transfers to curb harassment
Goods moved between a factory and warehouse under the same sales tax registration are no longer a taxable supply, and officers may not stop vehicles without cause.