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Commissioner Lahore Marryam Khan chaired a RUDA meeting to review ongoing and planned development projects along the River Ravi, including 16 river drainage packages, embankment works, Ravi City and bridge schemes from Syphon to the Railway Bridge and up to the M-2 Motorway. She directed the district administration to manage revenue matters along the river belt and ordered strict legal action against illegal sand extraction without permits. The commissioner praised the cooperation of Lahore and Sheikhupura administrations, noting that RUDA and CBD projects are key regional development initiatives requiring close inter-departmental coordination.

Government borrowing from banks has risen to Rs672 billion in the first half of FY26, reversing last year’s debt retirement trend. The State Bank of Pakistan reports that 86 per cent of the fiscal deficit is financed through banks, limiting liquidity for the private sector. Analysts expect higher borrowing in the second half due to revenue shortfalls. Despite increased dividend transfers of Rs2.7 trillion in FY25, reliance on domestic sources remains high as external funding lags. Meanwhile, the World Bank has approved $700 million under a $1.35 billion initiative to help Pakistan strengthen fiscal management and boost public sector efficiency.

Pakistan has signed an MoU with Binance to explore tokenising up to $2 billion worth of sovereign bonds, treasury bills and commodity-backed assets to improve liquidity and access to global investors. Pakistan’s new virtual-assets regulator has also granted initial clearances for Binance and HTX to set up local entities and begin the licensing process, as part of a wider digital-finance reform drive that includes a cr

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