The Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) highlighted Pakistan’s regional security challenges and efforts to maintain peace during interactive sessions with students.

DG ISPR visited University of Lahore, University of Central Punjab (UCP) and King Edward Medical University (KEMU) where special sessions were arranged with students and faculty members. The meeting discussed domestic and international affairs, the geopolitical situation in the region, particularly Afghanistan, and the role of the Pakistan Army in maintaining regional peace.

Teachers and students publicly expressed their opinions and raised questions on various issues to which the military spokesperson gave detailed answers. Students welcomed the initiative to engage directly with the academic community and stressed the importance of holding such interactive sessions in the future.

They also congratulated the armed forces for their victory at Marka-e-Haq and prayed for the promotion of soldiers who were killed in the line of duty.

The National Electricity Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has hiked electricity tariffs by Rs 2.36 per unit of electricity under the Monthly Fuel Charge Adjustment (FCA), adding to the financial burden on electricity consumers.

According to a statement released by NEPRA, the increase is due to fuel cost adjustments in September 2026. The correction represents the difference between the actual fuel costs for electricity generation and the previously determined reference fuel costs.

According to the decision, electricity consumers will have to pay an additional charge of Rs 2.3673 for each company present in their accounts under the applicable FCA mechanism.

The adjustment will be reflected in electricity bills for November 2026.

Meanwhile, NEPRA has approved a Rs2.32 per unit increase in electricity rates for additional consumption by industrial and agricultural consumers, raising the applicable rate from Rs22.98 to Rs25.30 per unit. The decision has been sent to the federal government for further action and the revised rates are proposed to be effective from the billing month of November 2026.

As part of the existing rescue package, the government provides electricity price subsidies to industrial and agricultural consumers who exceed electricity consumption in the same period last year. The federal government has launched a three-year relief package under which power will be provided to agricultural consumers at Rs 22.98 per unit instead of Rs 38 per unit, while industrial consumers will get the same rate for additional electricity consumption instead of Rs 34 per unit.

However, NEPRA has now approved an increase in the discount rate per unit by Rs 2.32 to Rs 25.30.

The regulatory authority’s decision was taken through the casting vote of its chairman, while two members recorded their disagreement with the proposal.

NEPRA members Amna Ahmed and Maqsood Anwar Khan submitted dissenting notes, describing the proposed rate of Rs25.30 per unit as unjustified.

The Ministry of Finance has announced measures to facilitate small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) exporters and increase the country’s exports.

According to the ministry’s announcement, the entire Rs300 billion allocation under Pakistan Export-Import Bank’s (Pak Exim Bank) export financing scheme has been reserved for eligible SME exporters. All the funds previously allocated to different business categories will now be available only to small and medium-sized exporters, giving them access to financing at lower interest rates and the opportunity to expand their businesses.

Officials stated that in 2026-2027 the fiscal year budget also includes measures to ease the financial burden on businesses through tax cuts and various incentives. Affordable financing and improved investment facilities are expected to enhance the competitiveness of Pakistani exporters in the international market, boost business activities and create new employment opportunities.

The Export-Import Bank of Pakistan has issued necessary instructions to the relevant banks to ensure effective implementation of the decision and optimal utilization of allocated funds.

The Ministry of Finance said the initiative aimed to support small and medium-sized businesses financially, encourage investment and industrial activity, and increase national exports.