In a move reshaping how tax fraud cases are pursued in Pakistan, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has imposed new checks on its investigative authority. Tax officials must now seek input from business community representatives before launching any sales tax fraud investigation that could lead to arrests. This development follows behind-the-scenes negotiations between the…
No Evidence Yet of Under-Invoicing or Money Laundering, Say Officials Customs authorities have dismissed recent media reports suggesting widespread financial misconduct in the clearance of luxury vehicles, including accusations of money laundering and under-invoicing. According to Chief Collector Jamil Nasir, the claims—based on an audit covering vehicle imports between December 2024 and March 2025—are premature…
Islamabad — Pakistan’s tax authority is taking a hardline approach to digital commerce, effectively shutting out any unregistered online sellers from doing business across platforms, payment channels, and courier networks. The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has rolled out sweeping measures this week that target the country’s fast-growing e-commerce sector. Under the new policy, anyone…
Islamabad — Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has launched a scathing attack on Pakistan’s civil bureaucracy, alleging that a significant number of senior officials are securing properties in Portugal as part of a broader plan to eventually settle there—using wealth, he claims, obtained through corrupt means. In a post shared on social media platform X (formerly…
The Pakistani rupee is on a steady climb, recording its longest stretch of gains since April 2024—a sign that government and central bank efforts to stabilize the currency may finally be paying off. This turnaround follows a tactical slowdown in dollar purchases by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), a move aimed at easing pressure…
ISLAMABAD — A leading anti-corruption watchdog has sounded the alarm over the staggering price gap between branded and generic medicines in Pakistan—some as high as 4,000%—and is urging the federal government to take immediate corrective action. Transparency International Pakistan (TIP) has formally asked the Ministry of National Health Services to enforce a dormant policy that…
KARACHI – Pakistan’s textile industry is showing signs of revival, posting a sharp 33.7% year-on-year increase in exports for July 2025, according to fresh data released by the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA). The sector exported goods worth $1.69 billion in the first month of FY 2025-26, significantly higher than the $1.27 billion recorded…
In a significant push to modernize education through digital tools, Pakistan’s Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) and the Ministry of Federal Education have partnered with TikTok to launch a dedicated STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) feed for Pakistani users. This new feature aims to make science and tech learning more appealing and…
In a bold move to accelerate its digital infrastructure, Pakistan is set to double its available internet spectrum—an essential step toward the nationwide rollout of 5G technology. 5G Preparations Shift Into High Gear Minister of IT and Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, revealed the government’s strategy during the launch of TikTok’s STEM Feed initiative in Islamabad….
Silicon Valley – In a defining moment for Pakistan’s startup ecosystem, video-streaming platform Myco has emerged as the top performer in Season 9 of Meet the Drapers, a global startup competition hosted by legendary investor Tim Draper. Myco walked away with a combined $1.5 million in investment and a SaaS contract, the highest package awarded…