Investing

Pakistan has successfully auctioned 480 MHz of new spectrum, doubling its capacity and laying the foundation for 5G. With Jazz leading the investment and Ufone grabbing 5G capacity, the country is no longer a regional laggard. The focus now shifts to upgrading fiber infrastructure and making 5G devices affordable for the masses.

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.

The Punjab government has launched a major project to build 67 underground rainwater storage tanks across 52 cities to combat urban flooding and enhance water security. Part of the Punjab Development Programme (PDP), the initiative targets flood-prone areas like Kamoke (19 tanks), Kot Abdul Malik (14), and Ferozewala (14), drawing inspiration from efficient international water management models. Officials have directed that construction be completed before the upcoming monsoon season to provide immediate relief to cities vulnerable to waterlogging.

The UAE’s real estate market is grappling with a sudden instability after Iranian missile strikes challenged its status as a global "safe haven." This geopolitical shift has caused a sharp drop in developer stocks (down 5%), a freeze in the bond market, and serious concerns over the 300,000–400,000 new units expected by 2028. With 65% of Dubai's market tied to off-plan sales and a 90% expatriate population, the sector’s future now rests on whether foreign investors still view the region as a secure place for their capital.

The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) has declared 293 private housing schemes illegal for operating without mandatory approvals and has warned the public against investing in them. Under the direction of Commissioner Rawalpindi and Director General RDA, Engineer Aamer Khattak, the authority is taking strict legal action, including filing FIRs, sealing offices, and demolishing illegal structures. The schemes, located across areas like Taxila, Gujar Khan, and Kahuta, were identified for violations such as unauthorized development, illegal marketing, and incomplete applications. The RDA strongly advises investors and overseas Pakistanis to verify the legal status of any project on the official RDA website, as the authority will not be responsible for financial losses incurred through these unauthorized transactions.

Punjab has debuted Pakistan’s first electric taxi scheme, deploying 1,100 eco-friendly vehicles to slash emissions and create high-paying jobs. With a 30% quota for women and government-funded down payments of up to 60%, the program is designed to get more female drivers on the road safely. Each taxi features a PSCA-linked panic button and integrates with apps like In-Drive, offering drivers a chance to earn up to PKR 200,000 monthly through affordable five-year installment plans.

Saudi Arabia expressed keen interest in investing in Pakistan's rice sector via corporate farming, mechanization, and logistics to secure long-term supplies, as discussed in a meeting between Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan and Saudi Assistant Minister Ibrahim Al-Mubarak. Talks covered broader agriculture (rice, fodder, meat), Saudi financing for export projects, productivity boosts in crops like cotton, joint market access in Central Asia/Africa/ASEAN, vocational training for healthcare/hospitality workers, and opportunities in building materials, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing.

Pakistan met 3 of 5 IMF fiscal targets for its next $1B tranche, hitting primary surplus (PKR4.1T), provincial cash surplus (PKR1.18T), and tax revenue goals, boosted by SBP profits and PKR823B petroleum levy. FBR missed PKR6.49T collection by PKR330B and retail income tax target despite broader scope. Provinces led gains; federal spending hit PKR7.1T under $7B IMF program.

Pakistan International Bulk Terminal Limited (PIBT) will manage over $5 billion in annual mineral exports from Reko Diq starting 2028, with Barrick's Reko Diq Mining Company signing a port deal for copper-gold concentrate at Port Qasim. The project—Balochistan's massive undeveloped deposit (50% Barrick, 25% each federal/provincial)—projects 800K-1M tonnes yearly, scaling from $2.7B to $5B post-expansion, backed by $150M terminal upgrades within a $7.7B investment. Chinese/Pakistani firms expand mining leases nearby, with PIBT eyeing barite, phosphate, iron ore, sand exports and Gulf partnerships amid government security pledges.