Investing

Pakistan signed $603M agreements with IsDB for M-6 Motorway ($475M), Poverty Graduation project ($118.4M, aiding 160K flood-hit households), and Azad Kashmir education initiative ($10M, for 60K kids). Deals inked in Islamabad signal boosted infrastructure, poverty relief, and schooling.

UBL and Jazz completed Pakistan's largest-ever Rs75 billion interest rate swap, converting Jazz's floating-rate loans to fixed rates for cost certainty. The deal signals banks' rate-cut bets and derivatives market growth, with UBL poised for significant profits from easing KIBOR.

The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) has proposed a PKR 17 billion expansion of Murree Road, specifically targeting the congested stretch between Liaquat Bagh and Chandni Chowk. The project aims to widen the road to 20 feet on both sides and introduce dedicated service lanes and parking plazas to streamline traffic. A key feature of the plan is the creation of a signal-free corridor from Marrir Chowk to Faizabad, which is expected to drastically reduce travel time. While land surveys are already underway, the project currently awaits final approval and funding from the Punjab government to begin construction.

Pakistan's State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) reserves rose by $13 million to $15.915 billion as of December 26, 2025, contributing to total liquid reserves of $21.012 billion despite a slight drop in commercial banks' holdings. This provides about 3.2 months of import cover amid ongoing debt pressures. The improvement marks a strong recovery from 2023 lows below $3 billion, aided by IMF support and bilateral aid, while domestic gold prices fell Rs2,400 per tola to Rs454,562.

Pakistan’s trade deficit widened by 34.6% in the first half of FY26, reaching $19.2 billion. According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, exports fell 8.7% to $15.18 billion, while imports rose 11.28% to $34.38 billion. In December alone, exports dropped 20% year-on-year, while imports increased 2%, underscoring ongoing strain on the country’s trade balance.

Islamabad celebrated the new year with the opening of the Shaheen Chowk underpass, marking the completion of 18 development projects in 2025. The project, completed in a record 63 days instead of the slated 150, is part of a major infrastructure push that includes the Serena Interchange and Murree Road underpass. Looking ahead, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi announced "Vision 2027", a two-year roadmap for 2026–2027. This next phase will shift focus toward urban beautification, overhauling city parks, and doubling the number of development projects to modernize the federal capital's image.

To expedite the long-stalled Peshawar Northern Bypass, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has agreed to provide PKR 4 billion in bridge financing through bank guarantees. The 30-kilometer project has been delayed for 17 years due to inconsistent federal funding, causing its cost to balloon from PKR 3 billion to PKR 27 billion. Chief Minister Sohail Afridi emphasized that the bypass is critical for trade and traffic flow, set a completion deadline of June 2026, and committed an additional PKR 200 million for immediate construction needs.

Pakistan's economy grew 3.71 percent in Q1 FY26 (July-September), up from 1.56 percent last year but down from the prior quarter's 6.17 percent due to weak demand and floods. Industrial output surged 9.38 percent, agriculture rose 2.89 percent despite crop declines, and services increased 2.35 percent. SBP projects 4 percent FY26 growth, with the government targeting 4.2 percent.

China’s aerospace firm PIESAT is strengthening artificial intelligence and space cooperation with Pakistan after showcasing satellite, drone and remote-sensing technologies at the AI Rise Expo 2025 in Islamabad. The company is working with SUPARCO on a 2.9 billion yuan ($400 million) satellite network deal that includes a local satellite manufacturing facility and an integrated system for real-time communications and remote sensing. Officials say the partnership aligns with the government’s “Uraan Pakistan” vision to drive technology-led growth and support services such as disaster management, agriculture monitoring and urban planning.