Buying & Selling

Bitcoin (BTC) dropped below the critical $90,000 level for the first time in seven months, signaling a major risk retreat across global financial markets. The fall wiped out all of the cryptocurrency's gains for the year and resulted in an estimated $1.2 trillion being lost from the total crypto market value in six weeks. This cascading selloff is driven by macro uncertainties (like US interest rate doubts) and a rapid erosion of investor confidence, which now leaves leveraged speculators and corporate crypto holders dangerously exposed.

The stablecoin venture Zar's recent $12.9 million seed funding has intensified the need for immediate, clear regulation in Pakistan to balance financial innovation with national interest. While Zar aims to attract remittances, experts warn that widespread stablecoin adoption risks challenging the Rupee's stability and disintermediating the regulated banking system. Policy recommendations center on implementing bespoke oversight including licensing, daily reserve reporting, and asset segregation under the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), rather than outright prohibition. Crucially, on/off-ramps for these digital currencies should settle locally in PKR to mitigate dollarisation risk, and the SBP must also enable banks to compete on-chain (e.g., through tokenized deposits) to protect the process of financial intermediation itself.

The government has launched ‘Mera Ghar – Mera Ashiana,’ a new housing scheme offering 20-year home loans with heavily subsidized, fixed rates. Loans up to Rs2 million are available at just 5% for the first 10 years, and loans up to Rs3.5 million at 8%. The program is open to all non-homeowners and covers houses up to five marla.

New data from the State Bank of Pakistan shows that individuals now hold almost 50% of the country’s total bank deposits. As of August 2025, total deposits reached Rs. 33.8 trillion, with 49.4% (over Rs. 16 trillion) belonging to ordinary citizens. This highlights the dominant role of households in Pakistan’s financial system, with the private business sector and government holding a much smaller share.

Pakistan is facing a dollar shortage, a problem worsened by the recent floods that have disrupted the foreign exchange market. The scarcity of dollars could jeopardize the rupee's recent winning streak, as banks and exchange outlets have been submerged. While the shortage is expected to be temporary, analysts warn it could strain the country's foreign exchange reserves and hinder imports. Despite a recent upgrade and rising remittances, a survey indicates that nearly half of market participants expect the rupee to weaken to 285-290 per dollar by year-end.

The Sindh government has agreed to a partnership with NADRA to launch an online property transfer system and improve land record management. The collaboration also includes plans to establish 13 new NADRA offices and mega centers across the province, with a focus on rural areas. This move is part of the government's push for modern, digital services for its citizens.

BYD has sold over 2,000 cars in Pakistan within six months, with strong demand for its Shark model. Hubco is setting up a $150 million CKD assembly plant in Gharo, aiming to start production in 24 months. The company also plans to roll out EV charging stations along the Karachi-Peshawar motorway, while Sazgar Engineering prepares to introduce new hybrid models by 2026.

On Tuesday, gold prices in Pakistan held steady at a record Rs. 370,700 per tola following Monday’s unprecedented Rs. 3,300 jump. The 10-gram rate remained unchanged at Rs. 317,815, mirroring the international price of $3,480 per ounce (plus a $20 premium), while silver also stayed firm at Rs. 4,303 per tola.

The Pakistan Association of Automotive Parts and Accessories Manufacturers (PAAPAM) recently raised an alarm over the continuous import of used cars, warning that this practice could decimate the local auto parts industry. According to PAAPAM Chairman Usman Malik, this sector, which directly employs nearly two million people and supplies up to 70% of parts for cars and 90% for motorcycles, is at significant risk. During an Auto Parts Summit, Malik urged the government to protect domestic manufacturing, pointing out that even developed nations like the United States use tariffs to safeguard their industries.