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The Ministry of Finance has directed all federal ministries and autonomous bodies to surrender their unspent budget allocations by May 10, advancing the usual deadline by nearly a month to finalize fiscal estimates for the upcoming year. This push for fiscal discipline, mandated by the Public Accounts Committee, covers savings across civil government operations, grants, and the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP). The directive comes amid a challenging fiscal environment where PKR 173 billion has already been diverted from development projects to fuel subsidies due to geopolitical tensions, and while overall public welfare spending remains low at 41.5%, parliamentary schemes have seen a much faster utilization rate of 70%.

The PM Apna Ghar Programme is a massive PKR 3.2 trillion national housing initiative launched by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to construct 500,000 homes for low- and middle-income families over the next five years. Targeted at first-time homeowners, the scheme provides subsidized loans of up to PKR 10 million for units up to 10 marla, featuring a 20-year repayment plan with a fixed 5% markup for the first decade. Covering all provinces and territories, the program aims to finance 50,000 homes in its first year alone, with the Prime Minister personally conducting monthly reviews to ensure transparent, digital registration and the swift removal of bureaucratic delays

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has directed authorities and K-Electric leadership to develop a comprehensive plan aimed at providing cheaper electricity and reducing load shedding in Karachi’s low-income neighborhoods and industrial zones. Addressing the hardships caused by rising costs and summer power outages, the Chief Minister ordered a feasibility study to identify beneficiaries for a targeted subsidy program designed to protect vulnerable households and support local economic activity. This initiative reflects a strategic push by the provincial government to improve power affordability and stabilize service delivery in the city’s most underprivileged sectors.

The Punjab Central Business District Development Authority (PCBDDA) is expanding its successful Lahore model to major cities, including Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, and Multan, with further plans for Gujranwala, Sialkot, and Bahawalpur. CEO Imran Amin confirmed that feasibility studies are underway to replicate the CBD framework, aiming to decentralize economic activity and attract international investment. Experts suggest that for these hubs to succeed, they must be tailored to local strengths—such as textiles in Faisalabad and agri-logistics in Multan—while prioritizing modern infrastructure and transit-oriented planning.

The Power Division has directed NEPRA to abolish licensing requirements and application fees for small solar systems up to 25kW, effectively reversing a controversial "sunlight tax." Power Minister Awais Leghari stated the move aims to restore the 2015 regulatory framework, allowing small-scale users to process applications through local distribution companies (Discos) at no cost. By removing these bureaucratic hurdles and extra charges, the government seeks to encourage clean energy adoption and provide financial relief to households and small businesses amid rising electricity costs.

Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry has announced storage charge waivers of 25% to 50% at Karachi Port Trust (KPT) terminals to assist exporters affected by recent shipping disruptions to the Gulf. The relief, coordinated by KPT Chairman retired Rear Admiral Shahid Ahmed, applies to stranded export containers at the KGTL, KICT, and SAPT terminals during specific windows in March 2026. This initiative aims to reduce financial pressure on the trade sector, clear cargo backlogs, and improve port efficiency as part of a broader strategy to boost Pakistan's economic stability and export competitiveness.

The Punjab government is fast-tracking the establishment of a major steel mill in Chiniot to utilize the district's vast iron ore reserves and reduce Pakistan's reliance on imported steel. Provincial Secretary for Mines and Minerals Pervaiz Iqbal recently reviewed land acquisition progress, emphasizing a transparent and timely execution of the project. Once operational, the mill is expected to serve as a cornerstone for the province's industrial base, creating significant employment opportunities and supporting downstream sectors like construction and manufacturing.

The IMF Executive Board is scheduled to meet on May 8 to approve a $1.2 billion disbursement to Pakistan, following successful program reviews. This total includes $1 billion from the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and $210 million from the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF). While Pakistan has made significant progress in stabilizing its economy and meeting petroleum levy targets, the Fund continues to emphasize the need for phasing out fuel subsidies and broadening the tax base through digital reforms. The approval will bring total IMF disbursements under current arrangements to roughly $4.5 billion, providing a crucial boost to the country's foreign exchange reserves amidst global market volatility.

The Punjab government has enacted a transformative fiscal policy by slashing stamp duty to a uniform 1% for all property transactions throughout the province. This major reform, introduced via the Stamp (Amendment) Ordinance 2026, aims to stimulate real estate growth and significantly lower the cost of transferring property by removing the long-standing tax gap where rural buyers previously paid 3%. To maintain market momentum, the 1% rate applies to transactions completed within a 12-month window, while also introducing legal recognition for "assignable deeds" to bring informal arrangements into the documented tax system. While the measure has immediate legal effect, it requires formal approval from the Punjab Assembly within 90 days to become permanent law, a move market observers expect will trigger a significant boost in transaction volumes across both urban and rural regions.