Stories by Mubarak Zeb Khan

Mubarak Zeb Khan is a senior staff correspondent for Dawn, bringing over two decades of experience to his coverage of political economy, trade, taxation, and public finance. He is a former Innovation Journalism fellow at Stanford University and a Chevening Scholar. He tweets @mubarakzebdawn.

Big industry output posts meagre rise

In FY26, LSM sector output expanded 4.98pc on YoY basis, suggesting industrial production regained some ground.

Published 17 Oct, 2026 04:56am

EXPLAINER: What does chairing IMF, WB boards mean for Pakistan?

Responsibility returns to Islamabad after 74 years; Ahad Cheema named incoming chair

Published 17 Oct, 2026 04:56am

What does assuming the chairmanship of the IMF, World Bank governing boards mean for Pakistan?

Significance of the chairmanship lies mainly in greater international representation and opportunities to engage with senior economic policymakers.

Published 16 Oct, 2026 09:41pm

Short-term inflation surges to 11.38pc due to costly food

Short-term inflation has remained in the double digits for several consecutive weeks.

Published 16 Oct, 2026 06:18pm

Returns filing date extended to 31st

FBR receives record 6.71 million returns by Oct 14; non-salaried filers surge by 46 per cent

Published 16 Oct, 2026 07:03am

FBR extends deadline for filing income tax returns to Oct 31

6.71m tax returns filed till Oct 14, according to official data.

Updated 15 Oct, 2026 11:13pm

Exporters seek govt support to stem decline

Subcommittees set up to examine textile industry’s concerns.

Updated 14 Oct, 2026 07:55am

FBR told to digitise industrial monitoring by year-end

System fully installed in five sectors, tax authorities inform PM

Published 13 Oct, 2026 07:00am

PM Shehbaz directs FBR to complete digital production monitoring system across major industries by year end

Additional Rs1.3tr in tax collected due to government measures over the past three years, meeting told.

Updated 13 Oct, 2026 12:11am

Textile makers warn of steep decline in exports from Oct to Dec

Pakistan Textile Exporters Association cites weak Western demand, higher freight, rising production costs.

Published 12 Oct, 2026 07:00am

Installation of AI scanners at airports ordered

DES checkpoints seized smuggled goods worth Rs274m, PM informed

Published 11 Oct, 2026 07:37am

PM Shehbaz orders installation of smart scanners at airports

Passengers must not be harassed through unnecessary questioning at airports, PM instructs customs officials.

Published 10 Oct, 2026 07:11pm

Protectionist model hurting growth, say experts

Warn selective tariff protection erodes productivity

Published 10 Oct, 2026 04:44am

Costly food, petroleum fuel weekly inflation

SPI records 11.97pc annual rise as flour, poultry, diesel, petrol, LPG rates surge

Published 10 Oct, 2026 04:44am

Short-term inflation rises to 11.97pc, PBS data shows

Short-term inflation has remained in double digits for several consecutive weeks, largely on the back of persistent increases in petroleum prices.

Published 09 Oct, 2026 04:43pm

Tax-free livestock import scheme launched

Waiver meant for fattening and re-export as meat or live animals.

Published 09 Oct, 2026 07:04am

FBR expands electronic production monitoring

Bureau authorises four private vendors to install and operate camera-based monitoring systems across leather, paper and paperboard sectors.

Published 08 Oct, 2026 07:01am

FBR allows late returns without surcharge

Waiver comes with a six-month restriction on acquiring ownership or beneficial interest in property.

Updated 07 Oct, 2026 08:09am

FBR introduces rules for electronic scrutiny of taxpayers

Tax watchdog's use of AI for scrutiny of tax returns will allow it to detect factual and legal mistakes.

Published 07 Oct, 2026 07:01am

Services exports surge 29pc

Services exports totalled $1.81 billion in July-August FY27, up from $1.41bn in the corresponding months of last year.

Published 06 Oct, 2026 06:59am