Islamabad | ReNews Pakistan

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has revised the eligibility criteria for audit firms appointed by financial institutions and other regulated entities, introducing a revised list of approved auditors based on the size, assets and nature of financial institutions.

The commission issued Circular No. 24 of 2026, partially amending Circular No. 7 of 2026. The revised framework covers entities regulated under several laws, including the Securities Act, 2015, Futures Market Act, 2016, Insurance Ordinance, 2000, and Companies Act, 2017.

According to the circular, the revised eligibility criteria for the appointment of auditors by lending non-banking finance companies (NBFCs) will apply to financial years beginning on or after January 1, 2027.

Under the revised framework, the SECP has identified a first category of approved audit firms eligible to audit major financial institutions, including securities exchanges, futures exchanges, clearing houses, depository companies and securities brokers holding trading and clearing category licences.

The same category applies to asset management companies and pension fund managers with assets under management of Rs 50 billion or more. It also covers deposit-taking lending NBFCs and non-deposit-taking lending NBFCs with assets of Rs 1 billion or more.

Modarabas with assets of Rs 1 billion or more, along with collective investment schemes, voluntary pension schemes and real estate investment trusts (REITs) having assets of Rs 10 billion or more, are also covered under the first category.

Insurance, reinsurance and takaful operators with total assets exceeding Rs 10 billion, collateral management companies, credit rating companies and professional clearing members are also required to appoint auditors from this category.

The approved audit firms include A.F. Ferguson & Co., Baker Tilly Mehmood Idrees Qamar, BDO Ebrahim & Co., Crowe Hussain Chaudhury & Co., EY Ford Rhodes, Grant Thornton Anjum Rahman, Ilyas Saeed & Co., KPMG Taseer Hadi & Co., Kreston Hyder Bhimji & Co., Muniff Ziauddin & Co., Nasir Javaid Maqsood Imran, Parker Russell A.J.S., Rahman Sarfaraz Rahim Iqbal Rafiq, Reanda Haroon Zakaria Aamir Salman Rizwan & Co., Riaz Ahmad & Co., Rizwan & Co., RSM Awais Hyder Liaquat Nauman, S.M. Suhail & Co., Yousuf Adil and UHY Hassan Naeem & Co.

The SECP has also established a separate category for smaller regulated entities, including securities brokers holding trading and self-clearing category licences, asset management companies, pension fund managers and relevant NBFCs with assets under management below Rs 50 billion.

The revised framework differentiates financial institutions according to their asset size and regulatory classification, requiring them to appoint audit firms that meet the eligibility criteria applicable to their respective categories.

The changes establish a revised framework for auditor appointments across Pakistan's regulated financial sector, including non-banking lenders, investment management companies, insurance operators and real estate investment trusts

Islamabad | ReNews Pakistan

The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has proposed a new regulatory framework allowing federal and provincial governments to establish standalone electricity systems in selected areas where conventional distribution networks face persistently high losses, poor bill recovery, inadequate service quality or economically unsustainable operating costs.

The proposed National Electric Power Regulatory Authority Standalone Electric Power System (Pilot Projects) Regulations, 2026, aim to introduce alternative electricity supply arrangements independent of the national or provincial power grid.

NEPRA has released the draft regulations for public consultation, inviting government institutions, electricity consumers and other stakeholders to submit their comments and recommendations to the regulator's registrar within 30 days of publication.

Under the proposed framework, standalone electricity systems may include power generation facilities, energy storage equipment and associated electrical infrastructure. However, these systems would operate without any direct or indirect connection to the national or provincial electricity grid.

The initiative is intended for areas where traditional electricity distribution arrangements have become financially or operationally difficult to maintain because of high distribution losses, poor revenue recovery, inadequate services or the high cost of maintaining conventional networks.

The draft regulations provide that either the federal government or a provincial government would act as the sponsoring authority for an alternative electricity supply scheme.

With the consent of the relevant distribution company, the sponsoring government could notify a designated area for the establishment of a standalone electricity system.

Following notification, the designated area would be excluded from the licensed service territory of the existing distribution company and the relevant supplier of last resort.

The proposed regulations would initially allow a maximum of two pilot projects for each distribution licensee. However, NEPRA could approve additional projects upon a request from the sponsoring government.

Each proposed scheme would be required to provide detailed information about its geographical coverage, technology, implementation schedule, participating institutions, costs, safety arrangements and expected public benefits.

The framework also places emphasis on consumer protection and service quality.

Implementing agencies would be required to establish minimum service standards covering electricity availability, supply capacity, fault rectification, equipment replacement timelines and consumer complaint resolution.

Prior consultation with affected consumers and advance notification would also be mandatory. The schemes would need to address arrangements for providing electricity to future consumers within the designated areas.

According to the draft, the federal or relevant provincial government would finance standalone electricity systems either fully or partially, depending on the approved cost-sharing arrangements.

Karachi | ReNews Pakistan

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has revised investment regulations for banks and development finance institutions (DFIs), introducing updated limits on investments in companies, startups, mutual funds, Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and private equity funds.

According to a circular issued on October 23, 2026, the central bank has amended Regulation R 6 of the Prudential Regulations for Corporate and Commercial Banking to regulate equity investments and strengthen financial risk management.

Under the revised framework, the aggregate investment of a bank or DFI in the shares of a single company must not exceed the lower of 5% of its Tier-I capital or 10% of the investee company's paid-up shares.

The SBP has also specified investment limits for startups, including financial technology companies. Banks and DFIs may invest up to Rs 500 million or 5% of their Tier-I capital in a single startup, whichever is lower.

Investment ceilings have also been specified for mutual funds, Real Estate Investment Trusts and private equity funds. Under the revised rules, investment in any single fund must remain within the lower of 5% of the financial institution's Tier-I capital or 20% of the fund's total units.

The revised limits are also relevant to Pakistan's real estate investment sector, particularly REITs, which provide a regulated investment structure for property-related assets and projects.

The new framework could influence how banks allocate capital to real estate investment vehicles and other investment funds, depending on their available capital and existing investment exposure.

The central bank has further directed banks and DFIs to maintain formally approved policies governing equity investment decisions, supported by internal evaluation procedures.

These assessments must take into account the institution's financial position, overall investment portfolio, risk appetite, expected returns, professional expertise and business strategy, including an appropriate exit strategy.

Under the revised regulations, strategic investments and investments in mutual funds and private equity funds will also be included when calculating applicable aggregate investment limits.

However, units of the National Investment Trust (NIT) will remain excluded from these limits until its privatisation.

The SBP has specified that Tier-I capital calculations will be based on the preceding half-yearly reviewed or annual audited financial statements of the concerned bank or development finance institution.

The regulatory changes establish investment ceilings while requiring financial institutions to assess potential risks and expected returns before making equity investment decisions.

The central bank has clarified that all other existing instructions relating to the subject will remain unchanged.

Islamabad | ReNews Pakistan

The federal government has introduced a bill in the National Assembly seeking to merge the Privatisation Commission and the Public-Private Partnership Authority (P3A) into a single institution responsible for privatisation transactions and public-private partnership projects.

Under the proposed legislation, the new Privatisation and Public Private Partnership Commission (PPPPC) would oversee the sale and transfer of state assets and facilitate, assess and monitor private sector participation in public infrastructure and services.

The bill seeks to amend the Privatisation Commission Ordinance 2000 and repeal the Public Private Partnership Authority Act 2017. If enacted, the existing P3A would be dissolved and its responsibilities transferred to the newly constituted commission.

According to the government, the proposed merger is intended to eliminate overlapping institutional functions, streamline decision making and improve the efficiency of privatisation and public private partnership transactions.

The proposed commission would be headed by incumbent Privatisation Commission Chairman Muhammad Ali. Its board would have a majority of private-sector members, including at least two women, with fixed terms and specified conditions for disqualification and removal.

The legislation proposes placing four funds under the commission's administration: the privatisation fund, public contribution fund, viability gap fund and PPP project development fund.

These funds could receive allocations from the federal budget, international financial institutions, investment income and other permissible sources. They would be non-lapsable, allowing unspent balances to remain available beyond the financial year.

The public contribution fund would help meet government obligations associated with PPP projects, including land acquisition, site handover and the provision of rights of way.

The bill also proposes a federal pipeline of PPP projects, a formal approval mechanism, a risk management unit and dedicated committees to supervise project transactions.

Under the proposed framework, the commission could require government agencies to provide complete details of existing, planned and proposed projects within 15 days, including projects not formally classified as PPP initiatives.

The proposed law provides that agreements between public and private partners would be treated as public documents. Interested individuals could obtain copies, subject to applicable laws. However, the government, commission and relevant agencies would not be liable for private-party claims involving risks not expressly covered by a PPP agreement.

Another significant provision seeks legal and investigation immunity for serving and former chairmen, secretaries, board members, officials and consultants in relation to actions or omissions undertaken in good faith. The bill also proposes the use of public funds to defend proceedings covered by these protections.

Existing contracts executed by the P3A would transfer to the new commission without adversely affecting the contractual position of private parties.

The draft legislation further provides that employees, advisers and consultants of the existing authority would be retained for up to six months or until the expiry of their respective contracts, whichever occurs first, on terms no less favourable than their existing conditions.

If approved, the legislation could significantly reshape the federal government's approach to privatisation, infrastructure investment and public-private partnership management. Its implementation, however, remains subject to completion of the legislative process.

Islamabad | ReNews Pakistan

Pakistan's National Cyber Emergency Response Team (National CERT) has issued an urgent cybersecurity advisory warning government departments, financial institutions and organisations operating critical online services about two serious vulnerabilities in PHP based systems that could expose websites and applications to cyberattacks.

The advisory, circulated to federal ministries, government departments, regulatory authorities, public-sector companies, financial institutions and information technology service providers, calls for immediate protective measures to safeguard digital infrastructure, online services and sensitive information.

According to National CERT, two critical vulnerabilities, identified as CVE 2026 109618 and CVE-2026 109619, have been discovered in PHP systems widely used to operate websites, online portals and business applications.

Both vulnerabilities carry severity scores of 9.2 out of 10 under the Common Vulnerability Scoring System, indicating a substantial cybersecurity risk to affected systems.

Successful exploitation could potentially enable unauthorised attackers to execute malicious code remotely, gain access to sensitive information or interfere with normal server operations without requiring prior authentication.

National CERT has directed relevant organisations to identify vulnerable PHP installations, prioritise security updates and strengthen protection for internet-facing applications.

The advisory also emphasises the use of web application firewalls (WAFs) as an additional protective measure against potentially malicious requests and attempts to exploit vulnerable web services.

IT departments and cybersecurity teams have been advised to maintain close monitoring of system logs, identify unusual activity and investigate potential indicators of compromise.

Organisations have also been instructed to report suspected system intrusions, unauthorised access and web shell activity promptly to National CERT Pakistan.

The warning is particularly relevant to organisations operating online financial platforms, government information systems and business applications that depend on affected PHP technologies.

It may also have implications for digital systems used in the property and construction sectors, including online land record services, property transfer portals, housing development platforms, building approval systems and electronic payment services, where those platforms rely on vulnerable PHP installations.

However, the advisory does not establish that any specific Pakistani land records platform, development authority or property portal has been compromised.

The actual exposure of individual services depends on their software versions, hosting environments, security configurations and the measures already implemented by their operators.

International cybersecurity authorities have issued similar warnings following the disclosure of the vulnerabilities.

The PHP development team released emergency security fixes on October 21, 2026, while cybersecurity agencies across several countries urged website administrators and service providers to apply the updates immediately.

Security specialists have emphasised that web application firewalls should supplement, rather than replace, software patching and continuous system monitoring.

Islamabad | ReNews Pakistan

Pakistan is intensifying efforts to attract international investment into its mineral sector as growing global demand for copper, lithium, gold and other critical minerals increases the strategic and economic importance of the country's natural resources.

Pakistan's mineral wealth has been estimated at approximately $8 trillion, with 92 minerals identified across the country and 52 being commercially extracted.

However, the $8 trillion figure represents a broad estimate of mineral potential rather than a verified valuation of economically recoverable reserves.

The government is seeking to translate this resource potential into investment, industrial development and long-term economic activity through greater international engagement and improved infrastructure.

A major initiative in this regard is the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2026, scheduled to take place on November 12 and 13 at the Jinnah Convention Centre in Islamabad.

The forum is expected to bring together international investors, mining executives, policymakers, financial institutions and technical experts to explore opportunities in mineral exploration, extraction, processing and associated infrastructure development.

Discussions will also address investment regulations, financing requirements, sustainable mining practices and the infrastructure needed to support commercially viable mineral projects.

Global demand for critical minerals has increased alongside the expansion of electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, battery storage technologies and advanced industrial applications.

Copper and lithium, in particular, have gained strategic importance because of their extensive use in electrical infrastructure, batteries and technologies supporting the transition towards cleaner energy.

Pakistan's geological position provides significant opportunities for mineral exploration.

Parts of the country lie within the Tethyan Metallogenic Belt, a major mineral-bearing geological zone extending from southeastern Europe through Türkiye and the Middle East towards the Himalayan region.

The belt is particularly associated with copper and gold mineralisation, providing a geological foundation for large-scale mining developments.

Major mineral projects, including Reko Diq in Balochistan, highlight Pakistan's potential to attract international investment in mineral extraction and supporting infrastructure.

Pakistan's critical minerals prospects received further attention in July 2026 when Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) confirmed the presence of lithium in underground formation water obtained from a high-temperature geothermal well in Sindh.

The discovery was made at the Wahid Bakhsh well in Khairpur district through advanced geochemical analysis of geothermal brine.

According to the company, the lithium concentrations were comparable to those found in certain internationally recognised lithium-bearing geothermal brine resources.

However, the discovery does not establish that large-scale commercial extraction is already feasible.

Further technical studies are required to determine the extent of the resource, suitable extraction technologies, production costs and overall commercial viability.

OGDCL has also initiated cooperation with the Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology to explore technologies for lithium extraction and assess the potential for commercial development.

Karachi | ReNews Pakistan

Pakistan Railways has initiated fresh measures to lease valuable commercial properties across Karachi, Hyderabad and Rawalpindi divisions as part of efforts to generate revenue from its land holdings and attract private investment in commercial real estate development.

According to auction notices issued by the railway authorities, properties comprising warehouses, existing and newly constructed shops, parking areas, marriage halls, marquees and other commercial facilities in Karachi Division are being offered for leasing through open public auctions.

The properties reportedly include warehouses at prime business locations in Karachi, particularly around I.I. Chundrigar Road, along with railway assets in Hyderabad and Tando Jam.

Under the proposed arrangements, certain properties are intended to be offered on 10-year leases.

Pakistan Railways published an official notice for the open auction of properties in Karachi Division on October 15, 2026, listing November 7, 2026, as the relevant closing date.

In a separate initiative, Pakistan Railways has proposed leasing 12 sites in Rawalpindi Division to private-sector investors and developers for the establishment of commercial projects.

The arrangements are being pursued through the Railway Estate Development and Marketing Company (REDAMCO), a subsidiary associated with the commercial management and development of railway properties.

According to the available advertisement, the Rawalpindi properties are being offered under a public-private partnership model for an initial lease period of 21 years, extendable by another 21 years, potentially bringing the total tenure to 42 years.

The proposed developments may include shopping plazas, commercial markets, corporate offices, retail outlets and factory outlets, depending on the approved land use and individual development arrangements.

The advertised conditions also provide for an annual rental escalation of eight percent on a compound basis and a 24-month mobilisation period following possession.

Construction activities would be required to comply with applicable local building regulations and other relevant approvals.

The leasing initiative forms part of Pakistan Railways' broader efforts to improve the commercial utilisation of its land assets and develop recurring revenue streams.

For private developers, construction companies and commercial investors, the proposed arrangements could provide opportunities to establish retail, office and mixed-use projects on strategically located railway land.

However, the publication of auction notices does not constitute the final award of leases. Successful bidders, contractual obligations, lease values and project implementation schedules will become clear after the relevant procurement and approval processes have been completed.

The latest measures follow an earlier successful auction of 125 commercial warehouses at Badami Bagh in Lahore.

According to an official government announcement issued on October 1, the annual lease revenue from those warehouses increased from Rs 72.2 million to Rs 331.08 million following the auction.

The department is also expected to receive an upfront security deposit of Rs 277.72 million under the revised arrangements.

The new leasing initiatives in Karachi, Hyderabad and Rawalpindi indicate a continued emphasis on commercial property development, asset monetisation and private-sector participation in the utilisation of Pakistan Railways' land holdings.

The eventual economic benefits will depend on competitive bidding, transparent agreements, investment commitments and the timely execution of approved commercial projects.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan

The Punjab government has initiated a review of alternative electricity supply arrangements for Lahore's Sundar Industrial Estate and the Orange Line Metro Train, aiming to identify more competitive and commercially viable power procurement options for the two major electricity consumers.

The matter was discussed during a meeting chaired by Punjab Energy Minister Faisal Ayub Khokhar, where officials examined existing electricity supply arrangements, operational requirements and potential alternatives for procuring power at competitive rates.

A key focus of the meeting was the possibility of purchasing electricity through the Competitive Trading Bilateral Contract Market (CTBCM), a framework designed to facilitate bilateral electricity transactions between eligible buyers and sellers, subject to applicable market rules and regulatory requirements.

The provincial government directed the relevant departments to prepare a comprehensive presentation covering the technical, financial and administrative requirements associated with implementing alternative electricity procurement arrangements.

Officials also considered the potential utilisation of available solar power generation resources as part of efforts to explore economically viable electricity supply options.

Sundar Industrial Estate, one of Punjab's significant industrial hubs, accommodates numerous factories, manufacturing facilities and warehouses. A reliable and competitively priced electricity supply is essential for businesses operating within the estate, where energy expenditure represents a substantial component of overall production and operating costs.

The proposed exploration of competitive electricity procurement could potentially reduce operating expenses for industrial units if suitable supply arrangements are secured at commercially viable rates.

However, any actual financial savings would depend on the final electricity purchase price, transmission and related charges, contractual conditions and other applicable costs.

The Orange Line Metro Train has also been included in the review, indicating the provincial government's interest in assessing alternative procurement models for major public transport infrastructure alongside industrial consumers.

Although both facilities require substantial electricity supplies, their operational characteristics and consumption patterns differ. Separate technical and commercial evaluations would therefore be necessary to determine the suitability of any proposed procurement arrangement.

Importantly, no final electricity supply agreement or revised tariff has been announced. The initiative remains at the evaluation stage, and the government has not disclosed the proposed supply capacity, electricity source, pricing structure or duration of any potential agreement.

The next stage will involve detailed technical and financial assessments before a decision on implementation can be made.

For businesses operating in Sundar Industrial Estate, the commercial implications will become clearer only if the proposal advances to an approved electricity supply agreement. Until then, existing electricity supply and billing arrangements will continue to determine operational energy costs.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan

The Punjab government has approved more than 224,000 interest-free housing loan applications under the Apni Chhat Apna Ghar programme, while the provincial cabinet has sanctioned an additional Rs60 billion to facilitate 40,000 more housing loans for eligible families across the province.

Punjab Housing Minister Bilal Yasin shared the updated figures while reviewing the programme’s implementation and construction progress in various divisions.

The initiative is aimed at enabling eligible families to build homes on their own residential plots through interest-free financial assistance.

According to the available divisional figures, the programme has recorded significant beneficiary participation in Rawalpindi, Sargodha, Gujranwala, Lahore and Faisalabad, among other areas. The combined figure for eight divisions stands at 195,862.

In a separate development, the Punjab cabinet approved an allocation of Rs60 billion on October 20, 2026, to support another 40,000 interest-free housing loans.

The allocation represents an average provision of Rs1.5 million per loan, although actual disbursements will depend on the programme's financing arrangements and eligibility requirements.

The cabinet also decided against imposing stamp duty on loans under the housing scheme.

The figure of more than 224,000 approved loan applications represents cumulative approvals under the programme rather than loans newly sanctioned during October. The latest allocation of Rs60 billion is a separate financial commitment intended to expand the programme’s reach.

Importantly, loan approval, disbursement and completion of construction represent separate stages. Approval does not necessarily indicate that beneficiaries have received their full loan amounts or completed construction of their homes.

Construction activities financed through the programme are progressing across different parts of Punjab, while the additional funding is expected to extend interest free housing finance to more eligible households.