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The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has declared 99 housing societies in Islamabad illegal, leaving thousands of investors in a state of crisis. The move, aimed at enforcing urban planning laws, targets schemes operating without proper approvals, often in Zones 3 and 4. Many of these projects are accused of selling plots without legal standing or infrastructure. While the CDA has not released an official list, a partial list of 35 illegal societies has emerged, highlighting the widespread nature of the issue.

The “Mera Brand Pakistan” Expo, a national initiative by the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), will take place on August 14 and 15 to promote local industries, boost economic self-reliance, and build public trust in Pakistani-made products. The event, held at the Lahore Expo Centre, will feature a wide range of goods and provide a platform for SMEs and youth entrepreneurs to showcase their products to local and international buyers.

Dubai-based digital bank Mashreq is set to complete a $100 million expansion in Pakistan by the end of 2025, focusing on digitizing workers’ remittances, supporting SMEs with a dedicated platform, and promoting financial literacy for youth. The bank, currently in a pilot phase, is leveraging its global experience and a digital-only model to fill the gap in Pakistan’s untapped online banking market.

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.