EDITION
HOT SELLER THIS WEEK
- On 3 November, Punjab Information Technology Board signed partnerships with the University of Lahore and University of Sargodha under the Makerspace Punjab initiative, supporting specialised laboratories, research and technical training. No contract price was disclosed. The initiative creates opportunities for international education providers and technical training companies. Contact HPC for institutional partnership planning and training consultancy.
- On 6 November, energy-sector reporting highlighted approximately Rs3.5 trillion in annual economic losses associated with energy-import dependence and inefficiencies. This creates significant commercial opportunities for renewable energy developers, energy auditors and sustainability consultants. No individual project price was announced. Contact HPC for ESG assessments, energy-efficiency consultancy and sustainable investment opportunities.
- On 4 November, the Economic Coordination Committee approved approximately Rs380 billion in supplementary grants, including Rs275 billion for five major water infrastructure projects. The allocations represent approximately US$1.37 billion in government spending. Contact HPC for financial modelling, infrastructure investment analysis and project-finance advisory.
- On 4 November, Pakistan approved Rs275 billion (approximately US$994 million) for five major water infrastructure projects, including Diamer-Bhasha Dam, Mohmand Dam and Karachi's K-IV water supply project. The funding creates opportunities for international contractors, engineering consultants and infrastructure suppliers. Contact HPC for government-project research, procurement advisory and investment assessments.
- During 2–3 November, the government reviewed progress on Islamabad's Jinnah Medical and Research Centre, a major 403-bed healthcare development targeting operations by March 2027. Reported construction progress reached approximately 59%. The project creates opportunities for hospital equipment suppliers, medical technology companies and healthcare investors. Contact HPC for healthcare investment research, equipment sourcing and hospital development consultancy.
- On 5 November, the government announced reforms removing the 80% export-earnings requirement for SME financing eligibility. More than 10,000 loan applications had been received through the financing portal. The initiative creates opportunities for business development, recruitment and professional training providers. Contact HPC for workforce planning, HR consultancy and business expansion advisory.
- On 2 November, a US-backed consortium proposed a US$4.4 billion LNG terminal, storage and transmission project in Pakistan. Its first development phase is estimated at US$1.7 billion, with a proposed terminal and storage tariff of US$4.93 per MMBtu. The opportunity creates demand for industrial equipment, storage infrastructure and international supply-chain partners. Contact HPC for supplier research, procurement planning and industrial investment consultancy.
- On 2 November, an international consortium presented a US$4.4 billion LNG infrastructure proposal involving terminal facilities, four storage tanks with combined capacity of 560,000 cubic metres and gas transmission infrastructure. The initial phase is estimated at US$1.7 billion. Contact HPC for energy-sector feasibility studies, engineering partnerships and infrastructure investment advisory.
- On 5 November, the Federal Board of Revenue issued new requirements for registered businesses receiving advance payments for goods and services, requiring appropriate sales tax invoices and transaction records. No separate implementation contract value was announced. The changes create opportunities for tax consultants, accounting software providers and compliance specialists. Contact HPC for regulatory assessments, tax-compliance planning and business advisory.
- On 6 November, Bank Alfalah announced the sale of its Kabul and Herat branches to Ghazanfar Bank, ending approximately 20 years of operations in Afghanistan. The transaction value was not disclosed. The development creates opportunities for banking-sector investors, acquisition advisers and cross-border financial consultants. Contact HPC for due diligence, corporate valuation and transaction advisory.
- On 6 November, Pakistan reported an October merchandise trade deficit of approximately US$3.88 billion, with imports reaching US$6.81 billion and exports totalling US$2.93 billion. The figures create demand for trade intelligence, export research and import-market analysis. Contact HPC for customised market research, commodity analysis and international trade reports.
- The Pakistan Tourism, Sports and Family Festival opened on 6 November in Islamabad, running until 8 November across three venues. General admission is free, while selected attractions and entertainment activities may require separate payments. The event creates commercial opportunities for tourism brands, sponsors, hospitality companies and advertisers. Contact HPC for event promotion, sponsorship research and corporate marketing campaigns.
- On 6 November, Sindh announced Pakistan's first Marble City industrial park near Karachi's Northern Bypass, covering more than 300 acres with an estimated development cost of US$250 million. Industrial land is priced at approximately Rs25 million per acre, with instalment payment options for investors. Contact HPC for industrial property research, investment assessments and development consultancy.
- On 6 November, the government reported more than 10,000 SME financing applications through its new digital financing platform. The Export Finance Scheme carries an allocation of Rs300 billion, while Rs350 billion has been earmarked under the Long-Term Financing Facility. These financing opportunities create demand for startup funding, business expansion and investment preparation. Contact HPC for business plans, financial projections and funding consultancy.
- On 5 November, Pakistan announced its ambition to develop one million AI professionals by 2030, alongside international technology cooperation and plans for seven AI centres. No total programme investment value was disclosed. The initiative creates opportunities for AI developers, technology investors, digital training companies and software providers. Contact HPC for digital transformation, technology partnerships and AI business strategy.
- From 6–8 November, Pakistan's Tourism, Sports and Family Festival is bringing together tourism exhibitions, adventure attractions, cultural performances, food businesses and family entertainment at Pakistan Sports Complex, F-9 Park and Margalla Hills. General admission is free, with separate charges possible for selected attractions. The event creates opportunities for hospitality operators, travel companies and tourism investors. Contact HPC for tourism-market research, hospitality investment planning and destination marketing.
Sector stories & insights.
On 3 November, the Punjab Information Technology Board signed MoUs with the University of Lahore and the University of Sargodha under the Makerspace Punjab initiative. The agreements will provide students and researchers with access to specialised laboratories, technical mentorship, training and product-development facilities. No project contract value was announced.
The partnerships create opportunities for technical training, research collaboration and educational innovation. HPC can support institutional partnerships, curriculum development and professional training programmes.
On 6 November, energy experts highlighted that Pakistan loses approximately Rs3.5 trillion annually through energy-import dependence and sector inefficiencies. Delayed building standards, energy mismanagement and limited local manufacturing were identified as major contributing factors. No specific investment package was announced.
The findings create opportunities for renewable energy investment, energy audits and sustainability consulting. HPC can support environmental assessments, energy-efficiency research and sustainable investment planning.
On 6 November, the Pakistan Stock Exchange's KSE-100 index closed at approximately 173,886.68 points, declining by 1,493.18 points during the trading session. Despite the daily decline, the benchmark remained approximately 4.49% higher over the week.
The market movement creates opportunities for investment research, portfolio management and financial advisory. HPC can support financial modelling, market analysis and corporate investment planning.
On 5 November, the Economic Coordination Committee approved approximately Rs380 billion in supplementary grants, including Rs275 billion for five major water infrastructure projects and approximately Rs84 billion for defence-related requirements. The committee also approved additional measures covering gas supplies and petroleum exploration rights.
The decisions create opportunities in public-sector procurement, infrastructure monitoring and government financial planning. HPC can support policy research, project evaluation and public-sector advisory.
On 2–3 November, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reviewed progress on Islamabad's Jinnah Medical and Research Centre, directing authorities to complete construction within the planned timeline. Officials reported that approximately 59% of the overall work had been completed, with the 403-bed facility targeted to become operational by 23 March 2027. No new total project valuation was announced during the review.
The development creates opportunities for medical equipment suppliers, hospital operators and healthcare technology providers. HPC can support hospital planning, healthcare investment research and medical infrastructure advisory.
On 5 November, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed authorities to remove the requirement that SMEs generate at least 80% of their revenue from exports to qualify for long-term financing. Officials also reported that approximately 17,000 export-oriented SMEs operate in Pakistan and more than 10,000 loan applications had been received through the new financing portal.
The policy creates opportunities for workforce expansion, employee training and organisational development among growing businesses. HPC can support HR assessments, workforce planning and professional development programmes.
Data released on 6 November showed that Pakistan's merchandise trade deficit increased approximately 20% year-on-year to US$3.9 billion in October 2026. Imports reached approximately US$6.81 billion, while exports stood at US$2.93 billion, highlighting continued pressure on the country's external trade balance.
The figures create opportunities in export diversification, procurement management and logistics optimisation. HPC can support supply-chain research, international trade assessments and export-market planning.
On 5 November, a parliamentary committee was informed that 40 ongoing energy and power projects in Pakistan were receiving financial assistance from international development partners under 17 loan agreements. The partners include the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, AFD, KfW Development Bank and JICA. Another 38 projects are included in the proposed pipeline, with completion timelines extending to 2036.
The developments create opportunities for engineering contractors, energy consultants and infrastructure investors. HPC can support feasibility studies, project monitoring and infrastructure investment assessments.
On 6 November, Pakistan's Federal Board of Revenue introduced new sales tax procedures requiring registered taxpayers to issue invoices when receiving advance payments for goods or services. Businesses receiving payments in instalments must also maintain separate transaction records and declare the applicable output tax in the relevant reporting period.
The changes increase demand for tax compliance, accounting-system updates and regulatory reviews. HPC can support compliance assessments, financial documentation and business advisory.
On 6 November, Bank Alfalah announced its exit from Afghanistan after approximately 20 years, selling its Kabul and Herat branches to Ghazanfar Bank. The transaction represents a cross-border banking restructuring, although the final sale consideration was not publicly disclosed.
The development creates opportunities for financial due diligence, acquisition advisory and cross-border investment research. HPC can support corporate valuation, transaction assessments and financial analysis.
Pakistan's annual consumer inflation declined to approximately 9.6% in October 2026, compared with 10.3% in September, according to figures released in early November. The decline reflected easing food-price pressure, although transportation and electricity expenses continued to affect household and business costs.
The figures create demand for economic forecasting, consumer research and industry analysis. HPC can provide market intelligence, economic assessments and data-driven business reports.
Pakistan's Tourism, Sports and Family Festival began on 6 November and will continue until 8 November 2026 across Pakistan Sports Complex, F-9 Park and Margalla Hills. Activities include paragliding, cultural performances, food exhibitions, traditional crafts, adventure sports and family entertainment. General public entry is free.
The event creates opportunities for tourism promotion, corporate sponsorship and brand partnerships. HPC can support promotional campaigns, public relations and corporate communication strategies.
On 6 November, the Sindh government announced Pakistan's first Marble City industrial park along Karachi's Northern Bypass. Covering more than 300 acres, the project carries an estimated investment of US$250 million. The proposed average land price is approximately Rs25 million per acre, while the government is considering electricity rates of Rs20 per unit for industrial projects.
The project creates opportunities for industrial developers, construction contractors and stone-processing investors. HPC can support feasibility studies, industrial property valuation and investment research.
On 6 November, the government reported that the State Bank's SME financing portal had received more than 10,000 loan applications since its launch on 1 November. Pakistan has allocated Rs300 billion under the Export Finance Scheme for SMEs and new exporters, while Rs350 billion has been earmarked under the Long-Term Financing Facility.
The initiative creates opportunities for startups, entrepreneurs and small businesses seeking expansion capital. HPC can support business plans, financial projections, funding applications and investment proposals.
On 5 November, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal reiterated Pakistan's target of developing one million artificial intelligence professionals by 2030. The national strategy includes establishing seven AI centres to strengthen research, professional training, innovation and collaboration between technology companies and academic institutions. No total programme cost was announced.
The initiative creates opportunities for AI companies, digital training providers and technology consultants. HPC can support digital transformation strategies, technology assessments and AI-related business planning.
From 6–8 November, Islamabad is hosting the Pakistan Tourism, Sports and Family Festival across three major venues. The programme features adventure activities, paragliding, cultural performances, food stalls, exhibitions and family entertainment. General admission is free, while selected activities may involve separate charges. No total event revenue or sponsorship value was announced.
The festival creates opportunities for hotels, restaurants, travel agencies and tourism operators. HPC can support tourism research, destination marketing, digital promotion and hospitality strategy.