Pakistan’s grid electricity demand continues to remain under pressure while rooftop solar adoption through net metering has surged almost fourfold over the past two years, according to the State of Industry Report 2025 released by the power regulator NEPRA.

The Universal Service Fund (USF) has announced a bidding process for the provision of Next Generation-Broadband for Sustainable Development (NG-BSD) services in a small lot, targeting unserved and underserved communities in selected regions. This initiative aims to bridge the digital divide and improve access to telecommunication services in remote areas, aligning with USF’s mandate.

Pakistan’s Large Scale Manufacturing (LSM) Index recorded a 10.4 percent year-over-year increase and a 0.2 percent month-over-month rise in November 2025, reflecting steady industrial activity. During the first five months of FY26, the LSM grew by 6 percent compared to the same period last year.

Jazz, Pakistan’s leading connectivity provider, has partnered with global technology firm ZTE and local distributor Siccotel to make affordable 5G smartphones more accessible across the country. Currently, only about 2% of smartphones in Pakistan are 5G-enabled, limiting the impact of network upgrades and slowing digital readiness needed for national productivity and economic growth.

The Ministry of Privatization has called for technical and financial proposals from experienced firms to appoint a financial advisor for the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City. The advisory role is linked to a proposed joint venture for a mixed-use development of this prime government-owned property in Manhattan. The Roosevelt Hotel spans 19 storeys, houses 1,025 rooms, and covers approximately

The federal government has raised the petroleum levy on petrol and high-speed diesel, keeping fuel prices unchanged for the next fortnight despite a decline in international oil prices. The move has effectively absorbed any potential relief that could have been passed on to consumers at the pump.

Pakistan’s current account deficit is projected to widen in fiscal year 2026–27, according to the World Bank’s latest Global Economic Prospects report. The report notes that rising imports alongside a normalization of remittances could increase pressure on external financing.

Pakistan is advancing its digital finance ecosystem as the Ministry of Finance signed a Memorandum of Understanding with SC Financial Technologies LLC, an affiliate of World Liberty Financial, to explore emerging digital payment systems, including the potential use of the firm’s USD1 stablecoin for cross-border transactions. The MoU focuses on structured dialogue and technical collaboration to

Pakistan is preparing for a major leap in digital connectivity as the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) announced that the long-awaited spectrum auction will take place on February 26. The auction, approved by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, will cover six spectrum bands with a combined capacity of 600 megahertz, aiming to boost data capacity and support the nationwide rollout of 5G

Telecom operators in Pakistan have raised concerns over the commercial viability of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority’s 5G spectrum auction framework, stating that the current Information Memorandum would require each operator to invest around $150 million annually in network infrastructure, in addition to spectrum costs. The PTA issued this memorandum following a federal government