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Rawalpindi Ring Road Phase 1, now estimated to cost PKR 50 billion, has been delayed, with its completion deadline pushed from December 2025 to March 2026 and about 75% of work done so far. The 38.6km stretch from Banth Mor to Thalian Interchange faces construction and land acquisition hurdles, especially for upgrading Thalian into a broad-based interchange. The cost has risen from PKR 33 billion due to scope revisions, and officials warn the interchange works may extend beyond March 2026. A feasibility study and PC-I for Phase 2, from Thalian to GT Road (M-5), are also due by March 2026.

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.

PIA’s privatisation moves ahead on December 23, with three bidders still competing after Fauji Fertiliser’s withdrawal. The bidders will submit and open bids the same day under a live-televised process, seeking a 75pc stake, while 25pc shares remain with the government. The winning bidder will pay in two tranches and assume key liabilities, with no layoffs allowed for one year and staff benefits protected.

Lahore is preparing to celebrate Basant 2026 from February 6 to 8, with major venues including Greater Iqbal Park, Jallo Park, and Model Town Park. Authorities have finalized safety and administrative plans, banning metallic and chemical-coated kite strings and offering Rs. 5,000 rewards for reporting violations. Special monitoring teams will ensure public safety, and citizens are urged to follow regulations for a safe and joyful celebration.

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.