Buying & Selling

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.

A recent market survey by Business Recorder reveals a sharp spike in the cost of essential kitchen commodities, leaving consumers struggling as prices for meat, vegetables, and grains reach record highs. While poultry and beef prices remain steep—with mutton hitting up to Rs 3,000 per kg—the produce market has seen significant volatility, notably with onions and ginger seeing substantial markups. Despite minor stabilizations in sugar and flour prices, public frustration is mounting over the perceived lack of government oversight regarding artificial price hikes by vendors. This inflationary trend has also trickled down to the service sector, with local eateries and bakeries raising prices on cooked food and bread, further squeezing the budgets of average households.

In a significant diplomatic breakthrough, Iran has agreed to permit 20 additional Pakistani-flagged vessels to transit the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, implementing a structured schedule of two ships per day. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar hailed the move as a "constructive and peace-oriented gesture" that underscores the strengthening bilateral cooperation between Islamabad and Tehran. This arrangement serves as a crucial confidence-building measure, ensuring the uninterrupted flow of trade and stabilizing essential energy corridors during a period of heightened regional tension. By securing this organized transit plan, both nations have reinforced their commitment to maritime security and the protection of global supply chains.

Following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Port Qasim has seen a record spike in activity, handling 450,000 tonnes of petroleum and LPG in March 2026 alone. Despite the ongoing regional conflict, Pakistan’s sea-based fuel supply remains stable, aided by the implementation of night navigation and modernized terminal systems that have prevented congestion. This shift has also boosted transshipment volumes, as international shipping lines increasingly reroute toward Pakistan to bypass the volatile Persian Gulf.

The federal government has unveiled a strategic tax-free real estate package designed to attract dollar-denominated investment from overseas Pakistanis amid rising Middle East instability. Currently awaiting IMF approval, the plan aims to formalize property markets by offering full tax immunity to filers, utilizing escrow accounts to prevent fraud, and introducing Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) for transparent, large-scale commercial projects. By positioning Pakistan as a secure alternative for expatriate capital, the government hopes to bolster foreign exchange reserves and stimulate urban development through dedicated Special Investment Zones, with an official launch expected next month.

The Islamabad High Court has ruled that gains from the sale of immovable property must be taxed as capital gains under Section 37(1A) of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001, effectively barring tax authorities from reclassifying such profits as business income under Section 18. Setting aside a previous tribunal decision, the IHC emphasized that specific laws governing real estate disposals hold precedence over general business tax provisions, regardless of the taxpayer's level of activity in the sector. This judgment provides significant clarity for individual taxpayers, ensuring their property transactions are protected from the higher tax implications often associated with business income classifications.

Islamabad has officially greenlit a new regulatory framework for the structured upgrading of its slums, prioritizing the integration of informal settlements into the city's formal urban grid. Moving away from traditional demolition and relocation strategies, the "Slum Upgrade Rules" establish legal standards for improving essential infrastructure—including roads, water, and sanitation—while defining the responsibilities of both state and private partners. This initiative represents a major step in addressing affordable housing challenges and ensuring that marginalized communities are included in the federal capital’s modernization and development plans.

Gold prices in Pakistan experienced a historic crash on Monday, plummeting by Rs43,600 to settle at Rs447,762 per tola, marking one of the steepest single-day declines on record. This massive correction was triggered by a shift in global market sentiment after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a five-day postponement of planned military strikes against Iranian energy infrastructure, citing productive diplomatic talks. The resulting de-escalation of geopolitical tensions caused a sharp sell-off in safe-haven assets, with international spot gold diving as low as $4,097 per ounce before a slight recovery. Analysts suggest that while this cooling of "war premiums" and lower oil prices have provided immediate relief to the local market, the situation remains highly volatile, with the $4,000 international threshold serving as a critical support level for future price movements.

Pakistan’s mobile phone imports surged by 29.6% to reach $1.295 billion during the first eight months of the 2025–26 fiscal year. While this represents a significant recovery from the previous year’s decline, domestic manufacturing is simultaneously hitting new heights, with local plants producing 30.21 million handsets in 2025—dwarfing the number of finished units brought in commercially. The data highlights a clear shift in the country's tech landscape, as smartphones now make up 71% of the devices on the national network. Despite a minor month-on-month dip in February, the overall trend points toward a rapidly digitizing economy supported by both a rebound in high-value imports and a robust local assembly sector.