Punjab is launching an innovative interest-free electric taxi scheme in August 2025. This initiative aims to promote sustainable transport, empower individuals, and combat climate change by distributing 1,100 e-taxis with significant government support.
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has mandated a two-day maximum turnaround time for new bank account openings and pushed for widespread digital payment acceptance. This bold move aims to significantly boost financial inclusion and enhance customer experience across Pakistan, building on recent successes that saw the country’s financial inclusion rate reach 60% in 2023. Banks are now required to simplify processes, offer digital account opening, and ensure merchants are equipped with digital payment solutions like Raast QR and POS terminals.
Pakistani gold prices have sharply declined by PKR 8,500 per tola in just three days. On Saturday, 24 karat gold traded at PKR 356,400 per tola, following a PKR 300 drop from Friday. This significant downturn, mirrored in both local silver prices and international precious metal markets, marks a notable shift for investors and consumers.
Bitcoin, the world’s leading cryptocurrency, just shattered its all-time high, surging past $112,000 on Wednesday. This remarkable rally is fueled by a powerful combination of robust performance in tech stocks, particularly Nvidia’s historic $4 trillion market cap milestone, and a noticeable resurgence in investor appetite for risk. Experts highlight a significant shift in institutional investment strategies, with publicly traded companies now directly acquiring more Bitcoin than what flows into ETFs, signaling profound confidence in its enduring value. As “digital gold” continues to mirror the bullish trend of growth stocks, analysts predict further gains, potentially pushing Bitcoin beyond $120,000 in the coming week.
In a landmark move, Saudi Arabia is set to allow foreigners to own property starting January 2026, marking a pivotal step in its Vision 2030 economic diversification strategy. This transformative policy will enable expats, international investors, and foreign companies to acquire real estate in pre-approved zones, initially focusing on dynamic cities like Riyadh and Jeddah. This strategic opening, mirroring successful models in other Gulf nations, is poised to significantly boost the Kingdom’s real estate, construction, and financial sectors, creating unprecedented opportunities for global buyers and further cementing Saudi Arabia’s position as a burgeoning investment hub.
Car buyers in Pakistan are facing steeper prices as Honda Atlas Cars Limited (HACL) has implemented significant increases on various models, effective July 1. This surge, ranging from Rs. 47,000 to a staggering Rs. 201,000, is primarily attributed to the new New Energy Vehicle (NEV) levy introduced by the government in the federal budget for FY26. While HACL has previously absorbed cost pressures from rupee devaluation and rising freight, the NEV levy is now being passed directly to consumers, impacting popular choices like the Honda City, BR-V, and Civic.
Islamabad’s property landscape is shifting as the Capital Development Authority implements a substantial increase in property transfer fees, tripling them from 1% to 3%. Effective July 1, 2025, this new fee structure, based on FBR valuation rates, impacts all urban CDA sectors, though some relief is offered for family-related transfers. Discover what this means for your next property transaction in the capital.
Pakistani nationals holding UAE Golden Visas are now under intense scrutiny as a major crackdown targets undeclared real estate investments in Dubai and the UAE. Authorities are cross-referencing immigration data with tax filings to uncover undisclosed properties, rental incomes, and unpaid Capital Value Tax. This development highlights the challenges of tracing assets acquired through informal channels and raises critical questions for investors.
Pakistani citizens are bracing for yet another economic squeeze as the federal government announces a significant surge in petroleum product prices, effective July 1. This latest adjustment sees petrol costing an additional Rs. 8.36 per litre and high-speed diesel Rs. 10.39 per litre, following recommendations driven by fluctuating international oil markets. This move comes on the heels of a previous hike just two weeks prior. Adding to the burden, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has also notified a substantial increase in gas prices for domestic and various consumer categories, with some household tariffs rising by up to 50%. These continuous price revisions reflect global energy trends and local economic realities, placing considerable financial pressure on inflation-hit households across the nation.
