Wednesday, October 22 2025

Foreign firms repatriate $752m in July-September
Repatriation of profits and dividends on foreign investments rose by 86 per cent in the first quarter of the current fiscal year (FY26), reaching $752 million compared to $404.5m in the same period last year, according to data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Tuesday. The sharp increase marks a shift in policy, as the government has eased restrictions on profit outflows, which were tightly controlled over the past three years. The change is reportedly influenced by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which has urged Pakistan to liberalise foreign exchange operations. Despite a $110m current account surplus recorded in September, the broader economic picture remains challenging, with the trade deficit rising to $9bn in the first quarter. The government is also negotiating rollover of large debt repayments due in FY26.
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Pakistan trade imbalance with 9 states deepens
Pakistan’s trade deficit with nine neighbouring countries surged by 34.54 per cent in the first quarter of the current fiscal year (FY26), rising to $3.93 billion compared to $2.921bn recorded during the same months last year. The increase in deficit is mainly the outcome of a decline in Pakistan’s overall exports to regional countries, except China, where Pakistan’s exports showed signs of recovery in the first three months of the current fiscal year. A marginal increase was also recorded in exports to Sri Lanka, while shipments to Bangladesh and Afghanis­tan registered negative growth during the period under review, according to the latest data compiled by the State Bank of Pakistan. In FY25, Pakistan’s trade deficit with nine neighbouring countries expanded by 29.42pc to $12.297bn compared to $9.502bn recorded during the same period last year.
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Shares dip, gold retreats as FOMO buying gets reality check
SINGAPORE: Global shares slipped on Wednesday and gold pulled back sharply from a blistering rally, as stretched valuations came under scrutiny and investors booked profits. Geopolitics loomed large. A planned summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin was put on hold and ambiguity lingered over a potential meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Despite Washington and Beijing striking a more conciliatory tone in recent times, Trump added to the uncertainty over the meeting on Tuesday, saying that “maybe it won’t happen”. The overnight dive in gold was the main focus for markets, after prices of the yellow metal sank more than 5% on Tuesday despite no obvious catalyst. It last traded 0.6% lower at $4,098.89 an ounce.
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Banking sector and capital market: NBP, NCCPL ink MoU to expand collaboration
National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) and the National Clearing Company of Pakistan Limited (NCCPL) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to expand collaboration between the banking sector and capital market. Through this MoU, NBP aims to drive collaborative innovation across the banking and capital market landscape, reinforcing its commitment to inclusive growth, sustainable finance, and the development of diversified funding avenues for Pakistan’s economic progress. Under the agreement, NBP will explore several avenues for integration with NCCPL. These include acting as a Financier for Margin Trading, allowing the bank to support investors in purchasing eligible securities in the ready market.
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No fuel shortage: Ogra
Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) on Tuesday states that there is no situation of fuel shortage in the country. Some clearance delays were experienced earlier with imported petroleum products; however, the situation is now fully under control. Pakistan State Oil’s diesel vessel and WAFI’s petrol vessel have also been cleared. Fuel supply operations across the country remain normal, and business continues as usual, it said.
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