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Pakistan's government has agreed to 11 new IMF targets, including tax hikes and spending cuts from next month, after missing 11 prior benchmarks in its $7 billion Extended Fund Facility.Immediate actions address FBR shortfalls of Rs430 billion in FY26's first five months by raising excise duties on fertilizers, pesticides, and sugary items, plus shifting goods to 18% GST if revenues lag. Waivers cover misses on social spending, deficits, and tax returns, unlocking $1.2 billion disbursement post second review. Plans include FBR reforms by March 2026, tax policy strategy by December 2026, agriculture tax optimization, SEZ incentive phase-out by 2035, power sector privatizations starting early 2026, asset declarations, NAB risk plans, and SOE/SWF law amendments by mid-2026

Gold prices held near a seven-week high on Friday, buoyed by expectations of additional US Federal Reserve rate cuts next year, while silver traded just below its recent record peak. Spot gold dipped slightly to $4,275.44 per ounce but eyed a 1.8% weekly gain, with silver up 0.4% at $63.84 after hitting $64.31 the prior day.The Fed's third 25-basis-point cut of the year, delivered in a split decision, appeared less hawkish, signaling future easing depends on cooling inflation and labor data. A weakening dollar and rising US jobless claims further supported non-yielding metals, with silver's rally fueled by industrial demand and tight supplies.Platinum rose 0.2% to $1,698.45 per ounce, and palladium gained 1.9% to $1,512, both on track for weekly advances. Analysts see silver potentially targeting $75 on technical breakouts

MCB Bank is offering the iPhone 17 lineup on a 0% markup installment plan for credit card customers, with tenures of up to 36 months and no processing fee. The iPhone 17 Pro is available in Cosmic Orange, Deep Blue, and Silver, and eligible purchases come with Shield+ perks, including a one-year extended warranty plus one-time front screen and back-glass replacement. The offer runs until December 31, 2025, and includes a limited complimentary gift while stocks last.

Systems Limited, a leading Pakistani software firm, has approved a merger to acquire Confiz Pakistan and its group stakes, enhancing its digital transformation offerings.The board passed resolutions on December 10, 2025, under the Companies Act, 2017, issuing shares to Confiz shareholders pending approvals from regulators, courts, and stakeholders. Confiz specializes in cloud, AI, data, software, and mobile solutions for retail and fintech.Systems Limited, founded in 1977 and PSX-listed since 2015, provides software development and BPO services globally across Pakistan, US, UK, EU, and Middle East. This move strengthens its tech portfolio in key growth areas.

NayaPay has launched global QR payments via partnership with Alipay+, enabling Pakistani users to scan and pay at merchants in 50+ countries.Millions of NayaPay customers gain seamless access to retail, dining, transport, healthcare, and entertainment abroad, with lower costs and faster checkouts compared to traditional methods.Building on 2024's China rollout, this expands NayaPay's services like Visa cards and remittances. CEO Danish Lakhani calls it a step toward global payment freedom for Pakistanis traveling or shopping internationally.

FBR has updated property valuation rates in Islamabad across 68 areas, raising taxes in premium sectors like E-7 and F-7 while adjusting others downward.Superstructures up to five years old are now valued at Rs 4,000 per square foot, older ones at Rs 3,000; residential plots in E-7 reach Rs 600,000 per square yard, with farmhouses in Gulberg Green at Rs 17.55 million per kanal and commercial spots in E-7/F-7 up to Rs 2.5 million. These immediate revisions aim to align with market rates, boosting transparency and impacting capital gains taxes.High-end zones like DHA, Bahria Enclave, and F-6/F-8 see sharp hikes, while rural valuations follow District Collector rates, streamlining real estate transactions citywide

Pakistan and Canada have agreed to facilitate the export of Canadian canola to Pakistan, opening a new market for Canadian farmers after trade tensions with China. This agreement supports Pakistan’s goal to diversify its edible oil imports and enhances bilateral cooperation. The deal follows ongoing negotiations toward a Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement and signals strengthened trade ties and collaboration between the two countries.

Jamshoro Joint Ventures Limited (JJVL), Pakistan’s largest private LPG producer, has restarted its Jamshoro gas-processing plant after a shutdown of around five and a half years and dispatched its first LPG shipment. The restart, enabled by a new gas-supply and extraction agreement with SSGC, restores a major domestic source of LPG and NGL, which is expected to strengthen Pakistan’s LPG supply chain and reduce reliance on imports.

Pakistan has become one of the top countries for crypto adoption, with small investors holding an estimated tens of billions of dollars in digital assets and much trading happening on unregulated peer‑to‑peer platforms without KYC checks. This raises serious concerns about money moving outside the formal system, potential money laundering and terror financing risks, and renewed scrutiny from global watchdogs, while Pakistan’s newly formed crypto regulators are still in the early stages of issuing detailed rules and licensing service providers.