ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has instructed relevant authorities to expand a list of banned import items by adding more luxury goods to it, reported the local media on Tuesday, as Pakistan faces a growing current account deficit which has triggered serious financial challenges.
The country’s commerce ministry issued a list of 38 items, including mobile phones, cosmetics and pet food, in May while prohibiting their import. The government took the decision to reduce the import bill at a time when Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves were declining and its currency was fast losing its value against the US dollar.
As the government prepares to present the next federal budget on Friday, it plans to take more measures to protect its forex reserves from unnecessary consumption.
“The prime minister has given instructions to Ministry of Commerce, FBR [Federal Board of Revenue], and other budget makers to identify items for purpose of banning and slapping RDs [regulatory duties] in a bid to decrease import bills,” The News reported while quoting an unnamed official privy to the matter. “Number of items that will be added to the RD list or banned list have not been decided yet.”
The official said the government was trying to curtail imports by $6 billion in the coming budget, adding that it already expected to save about $3 billion on the import of COVID-19 vaccines along with reduced shipping costs and rents of about $2 billion.
“The government is considering measures to curtail imports by $1 billion through different tariff and nontariff barriers,” he continued.
Apart from banning luxury items, Pakistan also plans to control the import of goods by imposing or adjusting regulatory duties on a large number of goods.
Pakistan to expand list of banned import items amid mounting current account deficit — media
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Pakistan to expand list of banned import items amid mounting current account deficit — media
- Government prohibited the import of 38 luxury goods in May due to declining forex reserves
- Officials say Pakistan seeks to curtail imports by $6 billion in the coming fiscal year
Pakistan police say 27 cops killed in 134 attacks in restive Bannu district in 2025
- Bannu is a restive district in northwestern Pakistan where militants frequently attack law enforcers
- Police say at least 20 drone attacks by militants killed nine civilians, injured 19 cops during the year
PESHAWAR: Police in Pakistan’s northwestern Bannu district said this week that at least 27 police personnel were killed in 134 attacks while 53 militants were killed during various security operations in the volatile area during the year, as Islamabad grapples with a surge in militancy.
Bannu district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province is one of Pakistan’s most dangerous districts, where militants affiliated with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) frequently target law enforcers in attacks.
Regional Police Officer Sajjad Khan told reporters during a press briefing on Wednesday that at least 134 “terrorist attacks” were recorded in Bannu district during 2025 that targeted police stations, posts, checkpoints, police mobiles and police parties.
“As a result of these attacks, 27 police personnel were martyred and 79 were injured,” a statement issued by Bannu Police said on Wednesday.
It said at least 168 intelligence-based operations were conducted by police across the district during the year, in which 105 militants were arrested and 65 were killed.
Khan informed media that militants carried out 20 drone attacks targeting police installations and civilian areas in 2025, killing nine civilians and injuring 19 police personnel.
“However, following the installation of an anti-drone system in Bannu district on Jul. 18, 2025, the situation improved significantly,” the statement said. “More than 300 drone attacks were thwarted, and four drones were struck/spoofed.”
He said the Bannu police force has been equipped with drones, anti-drone guns, sniper rifles, armored personnel carriers (APCs), thermal imaging systems, tactical helmets and bulletproof vehicles.
“Bannu police reiterates its resolve to continue its struggle to maintain law and order in the district, completely eliminate terrorism and protect the lives and property of the public,” the statement concluded.
Pakistan blames the Afghan government for facilitating TTP attacks inside its territory, a charge Kabul denies. The surge in militant attacks has strained ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan, leading to deadly border clashes in October that saw dozens killed and several wounded on both sides.
