Buying & Selling

Gold prices in Pakistan declined on Monday, June 29, 2026, as domestic rates tracked a drop in international markets. The price of 24-karat gold fell by Rs2,300 to settle at Rs428,936 per tola, while 10-gram gold decreased by Rs1,972 to Rs367,743. Silver also saw a reduction, falling by Rs69 to Rs6,324 per tola

In the 2026-27 budget, the government has introduced a 20% reduction in regulatory duty on high-end imported mobile phones, effective July 1, 2026, which will lower costs by Rs. 14,000 per device. However, the FBR Chairman advises against broader duty cuts, arguing that premium imports are purchased by affluent consumers and that current tax structures are vital for revenue, with flagship phones contributing 58% of import tax revenue despite making up only 16% of units. Instead, the FBR is prioritizing support for the local assembly industry which serves 95% of the market and recommends that future tax relief be strictly limited to entry-level phones in the $31–$200 range to assist price-sensitive buyers.

The privatization of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is set to be finalized by the end of June 2026, transferring 100% control to an Arif Habib-led consortium. The transition follows the completion of all local and international regulatory requirements, including a 15-year tax exemption for aircraft-related operations approved by the IMF. Alongside the PIA sale, the government has unveiled an ambitious privatization roadmap for FY2026-27, which includes the outsourcing of major international airports, the sale of five power distribution companies (DISCOs), and the privatization of two major financial institutions.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reaffirmed that the federal government will fully fund a 100MW solar energy project for Gilgit-Baltistan to address the region’s chronic electricity shortages. The initiative includes an 18MW solarization project for public buildings and an 82MW project for residential areas, with the Prime Minister mandating an accelerated timeline and independent third-party validation to ensure transparency throughout the development.

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has uncovered significant tax underreporting among high-net-worth individuals and property buyers during its review of the Finance Bill 2026. Financial data analysis revealed that approximately 8,697 individuals held collective bank deposits of PKR 750 billion while reporting zero taxable income. Furthermore, nearly 80 percent of top property buyers materially underreported their bank deposits in tax filings, and 98.9 percent of high-deposit individuals failed to accurately report their financial inflows. In response, the FBR is working to strengthen data integration with the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to improve transaction monitoring and expand the tax base. Meanwhile, the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue has criticized past tax system "experiments," and the FBR has agreed to a proposed audit of policy actions taken over the last decade to help identify patterns of elite capture within the system.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif recently showcased the province’s flagship Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar affordable housing initiative at the World Urban Forum in Baku, where it received international recognition as a leading innovative project. The programme has achieved significant milestones within its first year, including the completion of over 100,000 houses, with construction currently moving at a rate of 600 to 700 homes per day. By promoting a transparent, non-discriminatory loan distribution system, the initiative has attracted global attention from delegates and media, positioning Punjab’s housing model as a notable example of sustainable urban development.

Oil prices dipped on Wednesday as investors reacted to optimistic remarks from US President Donald Trump, who claimed the war with Iran would end "very quickly," a sentiment reinforced by Vice President JD Vance’s reports of diplomatic progress. However, the market's downward move remained capped by ongoing volatility and deep-seated supply anxieties, as the conflict has effectively shuttered the Strait of Hormuz choking off roughly one-fifth of global oil supplies. With major institutions like Citi warning that the market is underpricing the risk of a prolonged disruption and US crude inventories projected to fall for a fifth straight week, analysts emphasize that oil prices are likely to remain elevated even if a tentative peace agreement is reached.

Gold prices retreated on Monday as a stalemate in U.S.–Iran peace negotiations triggered a sharp rally in crude oil, which jumped roughly 4% to $105 a barrel. This failure to reach a resolution, highlighted by U.S. President Donald Trump's rejection of Iran’s latest proposal, has intensified fears of persistent, energy-driven inflation. Consequently, investors are bracing for "higher for longer" interest rates, with Goldman Sachs pushing back its projected Federal Reserve rate cuts to late 2026 and 2027. The resulting strength in the U.S. dollar and elevated bond yields have pressured bullion, while supply-side constraints, such as a 7.08% decline in China’s domestic gold production during the first quarter of 2026, provide an additional macroeconomic backdrop to the metal's current volatility.

Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry has announced storage charge waivers of 25% to 50% at Karachi Port Trust (KPT) terminals to assist exporters affected by recent shipping disruptions to the Gulf. The relief, coordinated by KPT Chairman retired Rear Admiral Shahid Ahmed, applies to stranded export containers at the KGTL, KICT, and SAPT terminals during specific windows in March 2026. This initiative aims to reduce financial pressure on the trade sector, clear cargo backlogs, and improve port efficiency as part of a broader strategy to boost Pakistan's economic stability and export competitiveness.