SBP Declares Nationwide Bank Holiday on 12th Rabi-ul-Awwal 2025
The State Bank of Pakistan has announced a nationwide bank holiday on September 6, 2025, in observance of 12th Rabi-ul-Awwal, with all commercial banks, DFIs, and microfinance banks to remain closed.
Fintech Forward Forum 2025: Pakistan at the Crossroads of Financial Innovation
The Fintech Forward Forum 2025 will convene regulators, bankers, fintech leaders, and investors in Karachi to explore Pakistan’s evolving financial innovation landscape, with sessions on payments, virtual assets, CBDCs, and AI in banking.
VEON Group Plans TPL Insurance Acquisition to Strengthen Pakistan’s Financial Services Landscape
VEON Group has announced plans to acquire TPL Insurance Limited, marking its entry into Pakistan’s insurance sector. The deal, subject to regulatory approvals, could reshape financial services by integrating telecom and insurance under one digital ecosystem.
Saudi Investors Target Pakistani Snack Industry Amid Rising Gulf Demand
Saudi investors are turning their attention to Pakistan’s snack industry, seeking joint ventures, co-branding, and halal-certified products to meet growing demand in the Kingdom’s food market. The push aligns with Saudi Vision 2030 and Pakistan’s ambition to expand food exports beyond traditional categories.
Gold Hits Record Rs376,700 as Global Rally and Fed Speculation Drive Demand
Gold prices in Pakistan soared to a record Rs376,700 per tola as global demand strengthened on expectations of a US Federal Reserve rate cut. With spot gold hitting new highs internationally and Pakistan’s rupee extending its gains, the financial landscape highlights the impact of global uncertainties and domestic monetary policy.
A Game of Corridors: Pakistan at the Crossroads of Geoeconomics
Pakistan is reshaping its geoeconomic strategy, moving beyond reliance on China’s CPEC to diversify trade and investment through partnerships with the US, Gulf states, Turkey, Central Asia, and Bangladesh. This shift signals a new chapter in how Islamabad aims to convert geography into long-term prosperity.
Digital Dividends or Digital Drains? Pakistan’s Uneven E-Banking Journey
Pakistan’s banks have invested heavily in digital channels over the past two decades, but profitability remains uneven. ATMs continue to deliver value, while mobile and e-commerce platforms drag on returns. A deeper focus on trust, design, and sequencing may determine whether digital finance becomes a dividend or a drain.
After the Fire: Pakistan’s Markets in the Summer of Wars
In the summer of 2025, wars in South Asia and the Middle East battered Pakistan’s markets. From a currency slump to oil price shocks, the economy endured turbulence but managed to stabilize. The story of survival, not prosperity, defined these months.
The Mirage of Moderation: Pakistan’s Inflation Story
Pakistan’s official inflation data shows a sharp slowdown, but for households struggling with food, fuel, and utility costs, the relief feels like an illusion. Disinflation hides a deeper crisis in measurement, policy, and lived experience.
Revenue Without Return: The Taxpayer’s Alibi in Pakistan’s Fiscal Crisis
Pakistan’s tax crisis is less about unwilling taxpayers and more about state inefficiency, debt-driven governance, and misuse of resources. Despite record collections, citizens see little return for their contributions, leaving the fiscal system strained and trust eroded.