October 21, 2026
Pakistan Approves Auto Policy, Rejects IMF Call to Raise EV Tax
The long-delayed policy clears a sales tax question that had frozen invoicing, and declines an IMF proposal to raise the concessional rate on electric vehicles.
Articles for tag: auto policy, Electric Vehicles, IMF, industry, PAMA, used cars
September 11, 2026
Industry Asks Government to Drop Daily Fuel Pricing
Three business bodies say taxes make up 37 percent of the petrol price and want the daily pricing mechanism replaced with a 15-day cycle so firms can plan costs.
June 25, 2026
Pakistan, Russia Advance Steel Mills Revival as 2027 Construction Date Set
Islamabad and Moscow have firmed up plans to rebuild the long-shuttered Pakistan Steel Mills, with construction now targeted for 2027 and capacity slated to reach three million tonnes.
The oil industry is complaining about a delay in raising margins
points out that the 50% increase in margins should come into force from mid-December 2025 as agreed by the ECC Islamabad: The Oil Companies Advisory Council (OCAC) has expressed serious concern over the regulator’s failure to implement the government’s decision to increase oil companies’ profit margins and the call for a full recovery of investment in digitalisation. In a letter to the Chairman of the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra), OCAC has pointed out the absence of a notification for a 50% increase in the margins of oil marketing companies (OMCs), approved by the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC), for
CCP for detection of cooking oil industry
It was emphasized in the meeting that the demand and supply of basic food items, especially in view of Ramadan and festive seasons, is being assessed for their uninterrupted supply at fixed prices. Photo: archive Islamabad: The government has directed the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) to investigate allegations of cartelisation in the cooking oil and ghee industry on a fast track. The National Price Monitoring Committee (NPMC), in a recent meeting, directed the CCP to submit its preliminary findings in the next meeting. The committee said it had noticed that health problems were increasing due to degraded quality of
‘PTV’ once led the drama industry of Pakistan. What changed?
Industry veterans debate whether state broadcaster is fighting decline — or resisting change For decades, Pakistani television shaped what primetime drama looked like in that country. His studios produced stories rooted in social concerns, moral dilemmas and everyday lives, from the socially conscious series of the 1970s to the classics of the 1980s and 1990s that still circulate on YouTube and in the collective memory. Today, however, as private channels dominate the ratings and digital platforms measure success in billions of views, a familiar question has resurfaced: what went wrong with PTV and can it find a way back? For
Venezuela’s oil industry in focus after US military action
World’s largest stockpiles contrast with collapsing production, curbs on exports as experts warn of earlier Iraq and Libya Venezuelan oil. Photo: AFP (file) HOUSTON: A day after President Nicolas Maduro said Venezuela was open to negotiations with the United States to fight drug trafficking, a claim for which US President Donald Trump did not provide evidence, the US military carried out a large-scale airstrike in Venezuela and arrested President Maduro on Saturday. The developments have drawn renewed attention to Venezuela’s oil industry, which has the world’s largest proven reserves but has struggled for years with falling production, sanctions and underinvestment.
The industry vs. 5G pricing in dollars
Islamabad: Telecom service providers have criticized the government for tying the 5G spectrum auction to the US dollar, arguing that the policy puts financial pressure on the telecom industry and delays network development. The foreign currency pricing spectrum and reliance on heavy upfront fees puts an avoidable burden on the industry and slows network growth. A pragmatic, long-term approach – aligned with national goals and grounded in domestic economic realities – is necessary to deliver affordable internet at scale and unleash Pakistan’s digital growth, said Aamir Ibrahim, CEO of Jazz. The Cabinet’s Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) recently approved the deployment
Industry flags risk for growth in 2026
LAHORE: As 2025 draws to a close, the country looks to 2026 with growing concern in industry and trade circles that high costs, weak competitiveness and policy uncertainty could further slow economic momentum unless decisive steps are taken to support productive sectors. Business leaders say that while macroeconomic stability has improved compared to previous years, conditions on the ground remain challenging for industry, exporters and investors. Talking about the state of the economy, Khawaja Mehboob ur Rehman, president of Pakistan Business Forum (PBF), said that 2025 has again proved to be a tough year for business. “Despite repeated commitments, the
Government and industry point to deep economic pressures
Aurangzeb announces IMF-led reforms as businesses warn of crippling energy costs and collapse in investment LAHORE: Federal Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb said on Saturday that sustained, meaningful dialogue between the government and the business community is necessary to find workable economic solutions, stressing that engagement limited to the annual budget cycle alone cannot address structural problems. Addressing the Pakistan Chambers Conference hosted by the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), he said that recently constructive discussions were held between the federation and the provinces on the NFC award, which led to the formation of eight working groups, with
