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.

Bumpy road to export-led growth

Since Independence, industrial development has relied heavily on import substitution, encouraging production for a protected domestic market.

Updated 09 Nov, 2026 10:01am

IT earnings drive 22.6pc growth in services exports

Proceeds reach $2.72 billion in July-September FY27, up from $2.22bn; imports increase 16.32pc to $3.55bn; trade deficit remains almost unchanged at $832m.

Published 08 Nov, 2026 07:01am

Exports post sluggish growth in July-October

Imports surge 12.59pc in four months, pushing trade deficit to $14.63bn.

Published 07 Nov, 2026 05:04am

Food, LPG push weekly inflation to 12.31pc

ISLAMABAD: Short-term inflation rose to 12.31 per cent year-on-year in the week ending Nov 5, driven largely by...

Published 07 Nov, 2026 05:04am

Short-term inflation surges to 12.31pc due to costly food, LPG

The data showed that of the 51 essential items monitored during the week, the prices of 21 commodities (41.18pc) increased.

Published 06 Nov, 2026 05:55pm

Sales tax invoices mandatory on advance payments

New procedures also require taxpayers to declare output tax in the return for the tax period in which the payments are received.

Updated 06 Nov, 2026 08:51am

Exports to Europe dip despite GSP+

SBP data shows exports to European countries contracted 1.84pc to $2.350bn in 1QFY27.

Published 05 Nov, 2026 07:01am

Panel questions traders’ low tax registration

Parliamentary committee reminds state minister of his repeated pledges to bring unregistered traders into the tax net.

Published 04 Nov, 2026 07:00am

Inflation slows to 9.6pc in October

Perishable food prices ease, transport costs soar

Published 03 Nov, 2026 07:08am

Consumer inflation falls to 9.6pc in Oct from 10.3pc in Sept

According to the statistics bureau, decrease recorded mainly due to a slight slowdown in perishable food products.

Published 02 Nov, 2026 05:08pm

Four-month revenue target missed by Rs96bn

FBR receives 7.66m tax returns by Oct 31, up 28.93pc year-on-year.

Published 01 Nov, 2026 06:27am

Tyre makers face electronic surveillance

Tyre manufacturers will be required to install prescribed hardware and software at every curing press and takeaway conveyor or finishing line to electronically record production.

Published 31 Oct, 2026 04:19am

Short-term inflation rises to 11.32pc in last week of October, driven by perishable food prices

Short-term inflation has remained in double digits for weeks, largely driven by persistent increases in petrol and diesel prices.

Published 30 Oct, 2026 03:35pm

Pakistan, China open green channel for trade

Sost-Khunjerab pact to fast-track clearance of agricultural goods

Published 30 Oct, 2026 06:58am

Pakistan, China sign agreement to operationalise green channel at Sost-Khunjerab border

The arrangement also provides for enhanced information sharing and the exchange of risk alerts between the two customs administrations.

Published 29 Oct, 2026 03:42pm

Regional trade deficit widens sharply

Gap with nine neighbours rises 26.6pc to $4.97bn in July-September.

Updated 27 Oct, 2026 07:36am

FBR reforms, again?

Successive reforms since 2000 failed to produce results; investment in technology likely to remain ineffective sans central.

Updated 26 Oct, 2026 08:25am

Pakistan's trade gap with Gulf partners narrows

Lower imports, higher exports cut gap by 26pc to $2.85bn in the period between July and September.

Updated 25 Oct, 2026 09:02am

Flour fuels weekly inflation

ISLAMABAD: Short-term inflation rose to 11.85 per cent year-on-year in the week ending Oct 22, driven largely by...

Published 24 Oct, 2026 06:19am

Karachi Industrial Park approved as federal Special Economic Zone

The proposed zone aims to attract export-oriented industrial investment, encourage technology transfer and value addition, and create jobs.

Updated 24 Oct, 2026 07:42am