Islamabad
Cabinet approves new banknote designs and a Rs10 coin
The cabinet approved new banknote designs with stronger security features and a Rs10 coin to replace the Rs10 note, and ratified a defence pact with Kuwait.
Shehbaz Sharif
Shehbaz Sharif: 33 The Indus Compass stories. Latest: Cabinet approves new banknote designs and a Rs10 coin. Key developments, background and analysis.
33 stories on Shehbaz Sharif since 25 September 2026; the latest was published on 5 November 2026.
Key developments
- Cabinet approves new banknote designs and a Rs10 coinThe federal cabinet approved designs of new currency notes with enhanced security features and modern materials meant to make them last longer and harder to counterfeit.
- Chinese party envoy meets Shehbaz and Asim Munir, urges deeper political tiesLiu Haixing, head of the Chinese Communist Party's International Department, said Pakistan's political parties have given strong political support to ties with China.
- PM Shehbaz tells SBP to show banks no leniency on SME and farm loansThe PM said no leniency should be shown to banks that are slow in lending to farmers, SMEs and Apna Ghar Scheme borrowers.
- Singapore's foreign minister in Islamabad, direct flights discussedSingapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan visited Islamabad on Friday, the first visit by a Singaporean foreign minister in over two decades, according to Ishaq Dar.
- Pakistan marks Kashmir Black Day, vows support for KashmirisPakistan observed Kashmir Black Day on October 27, 79 years after Indian forces landed in Srinagar in 1947.
Islamabad
Chinese party envoy meets Shehbaz and Asim Munir, urges deeper political ties
Liu Haixing of China's Communist Party met PM Shehbaz and Field Marshal Munir, calling for deeper political and institutional exchanges.
Economy
PM Shehbaz tells SBP to show banks no leniency on SME and farm loans
PM Shehbaz Sharif told the SBP and finance ministry not to go easy on banks that are slow lending to farmers, SMEs and Apna Ghar borrowers.
Islamabad
Singapore's foreign minister in Islamabad, direct flights discussed
Vivian Balakrishnan made the first visit by a Singaporean foreign minister to Pakistan in over 20 years; he and Dar discussed trade, flights and disasters.
Azad Kashmir
Pakistan marks Kashmir Black Day, vows support for Kashmiris
Zardari, Shehbaz and Dar marked Kashmir Black Day 79 years after Indian troops landed in Srinagar, calling for a settlement under UN resolutions.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Sanaullah warns of 'collateral damage' if KP residents do not make way
Rana Sanaullah said terrorists live among populations in KP's sensitive areas and warned of collateral damage if residents neither remove them nor move aside.
Economy
PM sets Rs4,500 per maund wheat price for 2027, up Rs1,000
PM Shehbaz Sharif set the wheat price at Rs4,500 per maund for 2027, Rs1,000 more than last year, but farmers had asked for Rs5,000 per 40kg.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
PM Shehbaz vows to restore KP's progress on first visit since governor's rule
PM Shehbaz chaired KP's apex committee in Peshawar, saying governor's rule was imposed 'under extreme compulsion' and blaming the PTI for KP's security.
Pakistan
Jamaat-e-Islami to hold sit-ins in every district against petroleum levy
Jamaat-e-Islami will start the third phase of its anti-petroleum levy protests on Friday with sit-ins in all districts, saying the government stopped talking.
Economy
PM approves 1% sales tax on electric cars in new five-year auto policy
PM Shehbaz approved a 1% sales tax on battery EVs and lower import duties in the 2026-31 auto policy, with a levy on petrol cars; the IMF must approve first.
Islamabad
Pakistan and Maldives sign 20 MoUs, target $200m trade
PM Shehbaz Sharif and President Muizzu agreed to lift trade from $13.9m to $200m in two years as 20 MoUs were signed on the first Maldivian visit in 11 years.
Pakistan
PM ready to build consensus on counterterrorism, Sanaullah tells Senate
Rana Sanaullah told the Senate PM Shehbaz Sharif is ready to invite all parties to agree on counterterrorism if the opposition sets other demands aside.
Economy
PM Shehbaz orders faster FBR reforms, warns officers against resistance
PM Shehbaz Sharif ordered faster FBR reforms and warned against resistance, as the government moves to let it compulsorily retire non-performing tax officers.