From: Kasbati & Co <kasbati.co@professional-excellence.com>
Date: Fri, Oct 23, 2026 at 10:37 AM
Subject: DNVC 23.10.26=11.5.48
 

Dear Learned Recipient

If your Goodself gets this email without Links, please contact us immediately.

590+ Taxes & Levies (including FED, GIDC, Budgets, IMF, ORS/BS 19+ FST cum Customs Duty but excluding those which are exclusively about Customs Duty)

1.         FBR and the same old cure!-BR

2.         Sales Tax Rules, 2006 amended: FBR rolls out framework for e-auctions of seized goods-BR

3.         E-monitoring of production: The deadline for new video systems is 31st-BR

4.         FBR introduces electronic auction system for confiscated goods-PK

5.         FBR revises customs values of stationery items after nine years-PK

6.         FBR requires taxpayers to keep records for six years in Tax Year 2027-PK

7.         FBR defines representative for taxpayers in Tax Year 2027-PK

8.         Illegal cigarette trade: FBR urged to ensure prosecution-BR

9.         LCCI urges business-friendly reforms to broaden tax base-BR

10.     Pakistan GDP to contract 1.3pc in 2026: IMF-BR

11.     IMF sees 1.3% contraction in Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan in 2026-BR

12.     ME conflict: IMF warns of financial stability risks-BR

13.     IMF, OECD warn AI could widen rich-poor country divide-BR

14.     IMF calls for Pakistan to rationalise tax concessions, bring under-taxed sectors into net

15.     IMF sees 1.3pc contraction in Pakistan this year due to Iran war-DD

16.     IMF sees weak external position-ET

17.     IMF sees 1.3% contraction in Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan in 2026-PPT

18.     Finance Ministry forms committee to review gas levy policy, calculation formula as exporters raise concerns-PPT

19.     Cotton ginners threaten nationwide shutdown over FBR raids, seizures of factory records in Sindh-PPT

20.     Interest free KPK Budget by the then KPK Finance Minister

21.   Another reprieve, not yet stabilization-BR

Economy & Inflation matters (including Import, Export & CPEC)

1.         Learning from China’s economic philosophy and policy — XIV-B

2.         Industrialists warn against policy rate hikes-BR

3.         Azerbaijani envoy seeks B2B cooperation-BR

4.         World Bank warns Middle East conflict could deepen Pakistan’s economic pressures-PK

5.         Burnout is not a business strategy-BR

6.         The full text of the Makkah Defense Pact! 16 astonishing clauses!

7.         Airports, banks & insurance cos in the basket: PC working on sell-off of 17 SoEs, including 9 DISCOs- BR

8.         Export sector warns of losing competitiveness-DD

9.         Draft auto policy revs up hopes for cheaper vehicles-DD

10.     NHA eyes public-private partnership model for roads-DD

11.     $2.5 billion Karachi-Rohri rail project set for 2027-ET

12.     NBC to take up GM corn cases on Friday-ET

13.     Pakistan to apply for new EU GSP+ scheme from Jan 2027-TNS

14.     Surge in car imports puts local auto industry under pressure-TNS

15.     Jam Kamal reviews exporters’ concerns to boost Pakistan’s exports-PK

16.     Pakistan’s incomes could triple by 2050 with faster structural reforms, World Bank says-PPT

17.     Pakistan’s pharma exports fall over 30% in FY26, decline further in first quarter of FY27-PPT

18.     Nestlé Pakistan maintains strong business momentum in Q3 2026- BR

19.     PM’s review: MoC to beef up exporters’ proposals-BR

20.     PTC urges PM to direct all concerned for fresh GSP+ status-BR

21.     Cement sector profits may rise 2pc in 1QFY27-BR

22.     Apple launches into foldable market as iPhone Duo sales begin-BR

300+ Banking, Finance & Investments (including Monetary Policy, Foreign Exchange, FATF, AML/CFT & NBFC)

1.         SBP-held forex reserves rise by $19mn to $21.49bn-BR

2.         PCDMA urges SBP for lower policy rate-BR

3.         SBP reserves rise $19m to $21.5b-ET

4.         World Bank to support Pakistani start-ups-DD

5.         Government seeks to double SME financing-PK

6.         Haroon assures SMEs of resolving financing issues-BR

7.         World Bank warns growth insufficient to create jobs, boost incomes-BR

8.         Will the policy rate stay put?-BR

9.         Foreign exchange rates-APP

10.     BAFL posts 42.8pc growth in profit after tax YoY-BR

11.     Punjab approves 224,000 interest-free housing loans- BR

Market (Stock, Currency, Gold, Textile, Cotton & PMEX)

1.         PSX: KSE-100 down over 2,000 points amid escalating ME conflict-BR

2.         Asian shares wobble as tech rout boosts bonds, dents rate hike bets-BR

3.         Gulf markets fall as fresh Houthi strikes on Saudi Arabia raise regional risk-BR

4.         Asian stocks fall to three-month low as AI spending concerns, Middle East tensions weigh on markets-PPT

5.         PSX falls below 164,000 on oil fears-ET

6.         PSX plunges over 2,000 points as Middle East tensions rattle investors-PPT

7.         Hinopak Motors Limited: performance and outlook-BR

8.         Yen shines as AI jitters spur safe-haven rush- BR

9.         Gold falls over 1% as rising oil prices fuel US interest rate hike expectations-PPT

10.     Gold price per tola drops by Rs3,000 in Pakistan-BR

11.     PTC urges PM to mobilise ministries to retain GSP+ under new EU scheme-BR

POL, Gas, other Minerals & Electricity (including Solar & Water)

1.         Oil little changed as supply concern lingers amid Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia-BR

2.         Petrol price cut by Rs1.60, HSD’s hiked by Rs1.64-BR

3.         Oil prices hit five-month high- BR

4.         Govt raises diesel price by Rs1.64, cuts petrol by Rs1.60 per litre-BR

5.         Flight to safety, rising oil put Indian rupee’s recovery to the test-BR

6.         UAE says tanker oil spill affects beaches in Umm Al Quwain-BR

7.         Govt cuts petrol by Rs1.60, increases diesel by 1.64 paisas for Oct 23-ET

8.         Petrol price cut by Rs1.60, diesel rate up by Rs1.64 per litre-TNS

9.         Govt reduces petrol price by Rs2.71 per litre, ups high-speed diesel rate by Re0.31-DD

10.     Pakistan cuts petrol price by Rs2.71, raises diesel by 31 paisas-PK

11.     Petrol price cut by Rs2.71 per litre, diesel rises by 31 paisa-PPT

12.     Oil prices jump over $2 as Houthi attacks in Saudi Arabia heighten Middle East tensions-PPT

13.     Govt advised to appoint a technically ‘qualified’ MD SNGPL-BR

14.     PBIF chief expresses concern over LPG prices-BR

15.     LPG crisis deepens as OGRA delays op-ET

16.     Govt mulls $2b LNG import decision-ET

17.     Second Qatar LNG cargo offers relief to strained gas supply-TNS

18.     OGDCL starts gas, condensate production from Bitrism East-1 well in Sindh-PPT

19.     Privatisation Commission prequalifies 10 parties for IESCO sale- BR

20.     Nepra faces dilemma over PQEPCL’s coal procurement extension-BR

21.     DISCOs, ZTBL and State Life privatization: PC advances key transactions, approves major decisions-BR

Weather Updates

The Weather-BR

320+ Human Resources (including Training, Health, Precautions & Safety - other than above areas)

1.         Employees hail securing Rs144.5m grant from KSA-BR

2.         Pharma Asia 2026: ‘Life expectancy in Pakistan has improved by 10 years between 1999 and 2026’-BR

3.         FGEHA holds special Investors’ Conference- BR

4.         One dies in ice factory gas leak in Rahim Yar Khan-DD

5.         Bannu remains polio hotspot, warn experts-DD

6.         Chakwal awaits major hospital-ET

7.         Pharmacy Council bars Pharm-D admissions at 14 institutions, issues notices to 29 others-TNS

8.         Pakistan, Canada medical colleges sign MoU for cooperation in education, training-APP

9.         HD Hyundai to build US shipyard with Kiewit, create 3,000 jobs-BR

10.     1197 Vision Mission and other terms

Islam Here & Hereafter

Wazaif and Benefits

Politics 

1.         PM Shehbaz chairs apex committee meeting in Peshawar; to review security situation in KP-DD

2.         LHC summons Punjab home secretary, Kot Lakhpat jail superintendent in plea seeking release of Imran’s sisters-DD

3.         LHC summons Punjab home secretary over plea seeking release of Imran Khan’s sisters-TNS

4.         LHC issues notices to foreign secretary in contempt cases over detention of PTI-linked Pakistanis in UAE-DD

5.         Opposition leaders criticise govt over stalled talks, restrictions on parliamentarians-ET

6.         Opposition wants PM to initiate dialogue-ET

7.         K-P DCs granted MPO detention powers-ET

8.         PM Shehbaz defends emergency, governor’s rule in K-P, blames PTI for resurgence of terrorism-ET

9.         PM links KP emergency rule to worsening security, accuses PTI of ‘criminal negligence’-TNS

10.     PM Shehbaz says KP governor’s rule imposed under ‘extreme compulsion’-PK

11.     Balochistan division imperative: Bugti-ET

12.     PTI hardliners blamed for shrinking political space-TNS

13.    The critical minerals war-ET

Karachi

1.      Karachi judicial magistrate rejects bail plea of anchorperson Iqrarul Hassan-DD

2.      Govt to form JIT in Mir Raza case-ET

3.      ‘Gul Plaza had no fire alarms or safety measures’-ET

4.      Karachi girl, 13, rescued from online group assigning dangerous tasks-TNS

5.      ATC acquits three Muttahida activists in May 12 violence cases for want of evidence-DD

6.      Five men charged with PPP UC chairman’s murder in Karachi’s Orangi Town acquitted-DD

7.      Labourer killed in boiler explosion in Karachi-DD

Other Pakistan

1.         PM announces Rs160bn development package for KP-BR

2.         PM issues instructions to launch direct Pakistan-Maldives flights-BR

3.         Turkiye to host Pakistan, European, ME diplomats today-BR

4.         Civil Servants Foreign Nationality rules: Ministries, divisions told to compile officers’ details-BR

5.         Pakistan, EU concerned at security situation in Afghanistan-BR

6.         UAE plans to invest further 15 billion euros in Greece-BR

7.         Bill to turn SLIC into a co cleared by NA-BR

8.         President visits ‘Saudi-Pak Real Estate Expo’ in Lahore-BR

9.         President Zardari to visit Germany from today with focus on trade ties-BR

10.     IR officer bound by Commissioner’s remand directions: SC-BR

11.     Maldives President lauds Pakistan’s role in Iran-US talks-BR

12.     Punjab’s smog challenge: will this year be different?-BR

13.     Civil, military leadership working for peace, uplift in KP: PM-BR

14.     Pakistan issues travel advisory for pilgrims flying to Iran, Iraq-BR

15.     CM gives police 4 weeks to improve law & order-BR

16.     President leaves for Germany-BR

17.     NA told: Govt plans 3,000 EV charging facilities-BR

18.     GM corn technologies: Major breakthrough nears as grant of biosafety licences is reviewed-BR

19.     Emergency in KP: federal govt seeks to justify its decision-BR

20.     DSP among 4 cops martyred in Karak attack-BR

21.     Ethiopian envoy, Fahd discuss digital media-BR

22.     JI donates eight buses to Karachi University-BR

23.     Nepal to get $20 million from climate fund after deadly August flood-BR

24.     3 terrorists killed as security forces foil attack on construction camp in Gwadar: state media-ET

25.     Security forces kill three terrorists, surround seven others in Gwadar: sources-TNS

26.     CTD DSP among four policemen martyred in Karak gunfight-TNS

27.     CTD books TTP over abduction of 17-ET

28.     17 sugar mill workers abducted in DI Khan-DD

29.     Organ trade network busted-ET

30.     CM gives law & order deadline-ET

31.     Supreme Court rules on repeated service litigation-ET

32.     Peshawar High Court seeks govt response to petitions about school collapse-DD

33.     NAB seeks lowering of graft threshold to Rs50 million-DD

34.     Balochistan assembly panel okays whistleblower protection bill-DD

35.     Balochistan lawyers go on strike over ANP leader’s arrest-DD

36.     Rawalpindi lawyers boycott courts over FIR against advocate for ‘assaulting’ judge-DD

37.     Crackdown on ‘ghost’ employees launched in Swat-DD

38.     Preparations for Sindh Vision Conference reviewed-BR

39.     Russian team visits PDMA Punjab-BR

40.     Stall bookings open for 7th ‘Mera Brand Pakistan Expo’-BR

41.     HSY to design new uniforms for PIA cabin crew-BR

42.     Two deaths, one failure of justice-BR

43.     DG ISPR LT-GEN Ahmed Sharif's Exclusive Interview With Independent Arabia

44.     Nisreen used her phone to document lives of children and families in Gaza, and relayed their stories and struggles to the world.

United States

1.         Trump says US ‘may do it a little bit further’ in Iran-ET

2.         US orders non-essential staff out of Saudi Arabia as Houthi aggression feared to escalate-TNS

3.         US orders diplomats, families to leave Saudi Arabia amid rising Houthi attacks-PPT

4.         Trump urges Musk to lift restrictions hampering Ukraine’s drone operations: WSJ-TNS

5.         What you need to know about the 2026 US midterm elections-DD

6.         The Trump rally: a slice of ‘Americana’ politics, coming to an end-DD

7.         Meta ordered to pay $25 billion in US data privacy case-PPT

China

1.         Earthquake of magnitude 7 strikes China’s Tibet-ET

2.         Magnitude 7 quake rocks Tibet, leaves 16 dead and 32 injured-TNS

3.         China’s natural disaster losses hit $30b in first nine months of 2026-ET

4.         DeepSeek wrapping up $15b fundraising to fuel AI race, sources say-ET

5.         KU proposes Pakistan-China museum, AI & cybersecurity centre-TNS

6.         Pak scholars exchange research at Xi’an conference-TNS

Other International

1.      Iran’s Guards threaten to hit US bases in retaliation for Hormuz escorts-DD

2.      Tehran rejects ‘Iran conflict’ term, says it obscures responsibility-TNS

3.      Saudis intercept more drones as conflict with Houthis spirals-DD

4.      Saudi-led coalition intercepts, destroys drone in Riyadh region-ET

5.      Two expatriates killed in drone attack on Saudi Aramco facility-PK

6.      Muslim, EU FMs to meet in Istanbul-ET

7.      Turkish foreign minister to host top diplomats in R4, R4+E3 meetings in Istanbul on Friday-ET

8.      President Zardari to visit Germany from Oct 22-24 to discuss bilateral ties-DD

9.      Visa resumption puts Pak-UAE ties back on track-TNS

10.   Russia, Ukraine exchange strikes as US envoy leaves after talks-ET

11.   Zelensky calls for ‘freezing front’ to end war-DD

12.   Suspects in West Bank settler attacks put under house arrest-DD

13.   New Delhi steps up air pollution controls ahead of winter-DD

14.   Websites down: What is PHP and how has it raised AI hacking fears?-DD

15.   Millions of hacking attempts as companies, governments rush to patch PHP flaws-ET

16.   AI-discovered PHP vulnerabilities force official websites offline across Europe, trigger global cybersecurity warnings-PPT

17.   Pakistan among top targets of spyware ads from Israeli firm, Citizen Lab-TNS

18.   Pakistan ranks second globally in exposure to Israeli spyware-linked online ads, Citizen Lab finds-PPT

The below news items are extracted after sending yesterday email:

(A) Six Newspapers Websites [Business Recorder (BR), Daily Dawn (DD), Express Tribune (ET), The News (TNS), The Nation (TN) & Associated Press of Pakistan (APP)] and

(B) Three other Business Websites [Pakistan Revenue (PK), Profit Pakistan Today (PPT) & Daily Times (DTS)]

(C) The above areas are covered by average 5 specialized team members, covering about 16 hours per day at different timing slots, under the Leadership of Mr Asif S Kasbati (FCA, FCMA & LLB).

Best regards

Kasbati & Co Team