Business
Demand for hybrid, small cars boosts Auto sales – SUCH TV
Pakistan’s automobile sector rebounded strongly in August 2025, with total car sales reaching 14,050 units, reflecting a 27-28% month-on-month (MoM) increase and a 61-62% year-on-year (YoY) jump, according to data released by the Pakistan Automotive Manufacturers Association (PAMA).
This brought cumulative sales for the first two months of FY26 to 25,093 units, up 45% YoY compared to 17,288 units in the same period last year.
The rebound followed a steep drop in July sales, which had fallen to a seven-month low of 11,000 units due to a surge in pre-buying in June ahead of vehicle tax hikes.
Analysts noted that August’s recovery was supported by the low base effect, lower interest rates, easing inflation, and the launch of new models such as the Haval PHEV and Honda HR-V Hybrid.
“Despite floods, the MoM increase in sales during Aug’25 is primarily due to the low base effect, as sales in Jul’25 had declined sharply following a surge in pre-buying ahead of the vehicle tax hike in Jun’25,” noted AHL Auto Analyst Menka Kirpalani.
Growth was most pronounced in the small car category, where sales of vehicles below 1000cc surged 79% MoM to 4,569 units, led by the Suzuki Alto.
The 1000cc segment doubled to 519 units, while cars above 1300cc rose 15% MoM to 4,928 units.
“Notably, growth was led by an 80% surge in sales volume of models with horsepower of up to 1000cc,” mentioned KTrade.
Company-wise, Pak Suzuki Motor Company (PSMC) posted the sharpest recovery, with sales climbing 96% MoM and 107% YoY to 7,154 units, as Swift, Cultus, Alto, Ravi, and Every all posted double-digit growth.
Suzuki Swift volumes alone jumped 182% MoM, while Cultus rose 108% and Alto 80%.
In contrast, Wagon R sales dipped 12% MoM. Indus Motor Company (INDU), the local assembler of Toyota, recorded a more modest 2% MoM increase to 3,400 units, though sales were still 60% higher YoY. Corolla, Yaris, and Corolla Cross sales rose 6% MoM, while Fortuner and Hilux fell 8%.
Honda Atlas Cars (HCAR) reported a 28% MoM decline to 1,073 units, reflecting a 39% drop in Civic and City sales, although its BR-V and HR-V lines received a boost from the introduction of hybrid models.
Hyundai Nishat sold 1,212 units, up 83% YoY but slightly down on a MoM basis, while Sazgar Engineering (SAZEW) sold 1,049 units, down 3% MoM but up 110% YoY, benefiting from its diversified line-up including Haval SUVs and BAIC models.
Beyond passenger cars, the broader auto market also saw gains.
Two-wheeler sales rose 19% MoM and 42% YoY to 148,063 units in August, led by Atlas Honda (ATLH), which sold 126,529 units, up 21% MoM. Three-wheeler volumes climbed 33% MoM to 2,067 units, with SAZEW reporting a 46% rise in sales.
By contrast, tractor sales weakened, falling 17% MoM to 996 units, as Millat Tractors posted a 22% decline and AGTL slipped 2%, with analysts pointing to rural stress and flood-related disruptions as key drags.
In the commercial segment, truck and bus sales grew 23% MoM and 47% YoY to 770 units, reflecting stronger demand in logistics and transport.
Production also outpaced sales, with PAMA data showing car output more than doubling to 22,446 units in JulyAugust FY26, compared to 11,171 units last year.
Suzuki Alto led the surge with production up 220% YoY to 11,046 units. However, analysts caution that production growth may not be sustainable, as high vehicle prices, costly auto financing, and currency volatility continue to suppress demand.
A scheme has been launched to compensate victims of the Post Office Capture IT scandal that saw former subpostmasters forced to repay shortfalls.
The Government said those affected can now apply for redress, with those found to be eligible set to receive £10,000 immediately and final awards potentially reaching up to £300,000 after full assessment by an independent panel, or more in certain cases.
The Capture system pre-dated the now infamous Horizon software, which has been responsible for around 1,000 wrongful convictions.
An independent report into faulty accounting system Capture was commissioned last year after subpostmasters said they had suffered similar problems to those faced by the Horizon victims.
The report by forensic accountants Kroll Associates, which concluded there was a reasonable likelihood that Capture – in use at Post Office branches between 1992 and 2000 – created financial shortfalls for postmasters.
In some cases, postmasters resorted to using their own savings to make up the difference.
The scheme will be not be open to postmasters who have criminal convictions related to Capture.
Those who were given criminal convictions must instead go through the Criminal Cases Review Commission, or its Scottish equivalent.
The Government has said it will “ensure that appropriate redress is given” to those where convictions are overturned by the courts.
The compensation scheme will be tested for the first 150 claimants before being rolled out more widely.
Post Office minister Blair McDougall said: “After over two decades of fighting for justice, postmasters and their families will finally receive recognition and recompense for the lives and livelihoods that Capture destroyed.
“I’d like to thank all of those victims who have helped us to design this scheme, allowing us to deliver on our promise of providing redress today.
“We can’t make up for everything they have lost, but today we begin restoring some of the dignity so cruelly taken away by this scandal.”
The Government said the scheme has been designed “hand in hand” with victims, while also taking lessons into account from redress schemes for the Horizon IT Scandal.
So far, more than £1.2 billion has been paid out in compensation to more than 9,000 victims of the Horizon scandal, it added.
New Delhi: The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has extended the due dates for filing audit reports and Income Tax Returns (ITR) for the Assessment Year 2025–26, giving major relief to businesses, professionals, and firms whose accounts require auditing.
Earlier, the deadline to submit tax audit reports was October 31, 2025, and the corresponding ITR filing deadline was also October 31, 2025. However, considering technical delays and representations from taxpayers and professionals, the CBDT has now extended both these dates.
As per the latest circular, taxpayers who are required to get their accounts audited under the Income Tax Act, 1961 can now file their audit reports by November 10, 2025, instead of October 31. Consequently, the due date for filing the ITR for such taxpayers has also been pushed to December 10, 2025.
This extension applies to companies, Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs), and other entities whose books of accounts need to be audited. It also benefits professionals and small businesses who were facing difficulties due to late availability of ITR forms and software utilities.
The government’s decision aims to provide adequate time for taxpayers and auditors to ensure accuracy and compliance while reducing last-minute rush and filing errors. The extension also reflects the government’s understanding of the challenges faced by the accounting community, especially with overlapping deadlines for GST audits and other financial filings.
Tax experts advise taxpayers to make the most of this extension by completing audits early and verifying data consistency between GST, TDS, and income tax returns to avoid discrepancies during assessment.
In summary, the new deadlines are:
Audit Report Filing: November 10, 2025
ITR Filing for Audited Taxpayers: December 10, 2025
Missing these dates could still attract penalties and interest, so taxpayers are urged to file well before the final deadline.
Gold and silver prices have experienced significant fluctuations recently. The US-China trade deal and the strengthening US dollar are the primary factors influencing these movements. Investors tend to reduce their investments in precious metals when market and global geopolitical conditions appear stable, leading to a decline in prices.
On the Multi Commodity Exchange of India (MCX), gold for December fell by Rs 1,546 to Rs 1,21,905 per 10 grams. Last week, which had fewer trading days due to holidays, saw gold prices drop by Rs 3,557 (2.80%). Similarly, silver for December decreased by Rs 1,964 to Rs 1,45,506 per kg.
During the same week, silver prices fell by Rs 9,134. Many traders engaged in transactions involving 12,428 gold bars and 20,367 silver bars. The progress in US-China trade talks has contributed to the declining prices since Friday.
The recent price decline can be attributed to the two-day meeting between US and Chinese leaders in Malaysia. They reportedly reached a consensus on key issues such as export rules and shipping tariffs. As a result, the US-China trade deal and the strong US dollar have diminished the demand for safe-haven assets, leading to a further decline in gold prices.
This week, central banks are expected to make significant decisions regarding interest rates. The US Federal Reserve is likely to cut rates by 0.25%, while the European Central Bank and the Bank of Japan are expected to maintain their current rates. Traders are closely monitoring these developments.
Expert Darshan Desai commented, “We should be prepared for significant fluctuations in the short term. Gold prices may fall further.”
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