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TikTok has launched a new self-serve advertising platform in Pakistan to help small and medium-sized businesses create and manage their own ad campaigns more easily and affordably. The TikTok For Business Ads Manager gives local entrepreneurs flexible tools, creative resources and performance targeting to reach new audiences without needing specialist expertise. The company says Pakistani SMBs can now better tap into TikTok’s highly engaged user base, building brand visibility at home and abroad while using flexible budgets and intelligent targeting to improve campaign results.

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

Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti has launched the province’s first women-only Pink Bus Service in Quetta to provide safer and more dignified public transport for women, building on initiatives like the Pink Scooties scheme and scholarship programs that support women’s empowerment. The chief minister praised women deputy commissioners for their effective leadership, vowed to counter “extremist elements” he says mislead Baloch women, and announced plans to extend the Green Bus Service to Pishin, Mastung, and Turbat while working on introducing electric buses to improve public transport and reduce pollution.

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.

Pakistan has begun its new kinno export season, already shipping about 6,000 tonnes to the Middle East, Sri Lanka and the Philippines since Dec 1. Exporters aim to send 300,000 tonnes this season, targeting around $110m in earnings, up from 250,000 tonnes worth $95m last year. Despite a bumper crop of 2.7m tonnes, exports remain about 50pc below levels five years ago due to limited research and reliance on older citrus varieties, though proposed government-backed plans could lift annual kinno export revenues to $400m within five years

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.