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Geely Enters Pakistan With Bestway, Unveiling Three Electric and Hybrid Models

Bestway Group has officially introduced Chinese carmaker Geely Auto to Pakistan, unveiling three new-energy vehicles at a launch ceremony in Islamabad and setting up local assembly plans in Karachi.

What happened?

Bestway Group launched Geely Auto in Pakistan at a ceremony at Park View City in Islamabad on Saturday, October 24, 2026. Bestway Automotive, the group’s automotive arm, is Geely’s sole authorised distributor in Pakistan and will handle vehicle sales and after-sales service. The launch marks Bestway’s expansion into the automotive sector.

Key details

  • Three models unveiled: the EX2 compact fully electric hatchback, the EX5 fully electric SUV, and the Starray range-extended model, which pairs electric driving with an onboard petrol engine.
  • Bestway is preparing its Port Qasim facility in Karachi for local assembly, with a capacity of up to 25,000 vehicles a year; the first cars will arrive as imports.
  • The company aims to have locally assembled Geely vehicles on Pakistani roads within the next few months.
  • Eight dealerships are planned in major cities, including Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad, in the first phase.
  • Prices, booking dates and final specifications have not been announced yet.

What it means for people in Pakistan

The entry of another major carmaker, starting with electric and hybrid models and moving toward local assembly, could widen choice for buyers interested in electric vehicles and support new jobs in assembly, sales and charging infrastructure. Prices and delivery timelines will matter most, and those are still to be confirmed.

Source: https://www.thenews.pk/print/1445008-bestway-group-launches-new-vehicles-in-pakistan

HMD 106 Pure Feature Phone Spotted in Pakistan at Around Rs 3,250

An unannounced HMD 106 Pure feature phone has been spotted on a Pakistani e-commerce platform at around $10 (Rs 3,250), according to reports from September 29, 2026.

What happened?

The handset appeared on a local e-commerce listing before any official announcement from HMD, with basic specifications visible in the listing. This is a leak-style spotting, not an official launch.

Key details

  • 1.8-inch display.
  • Unisoc 6531E chip.
  • 1,000mAh battery.
  • USB-C charging.
  • Price around Rs 3,250 as spotted.

What it means for people in Pakistan

If it launches officially at this price, the 106 Pure would be an ultra-budget keypad option for basic calls and messaging, but specifications and pricing may change before any formal announcement.

Punjab Laptop Scheme May Expand to Private University Students

Punjab’s laptop scheme may soon include private-university students for the first time, with reports of in-principle approval for 10,000 students in the first phase under Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s scheme.

What happened?

Reports say the expansion has received in-principle approval, which would extend the scheme beyond public institutions for the first time. The first phase is said to cover 10,000 students. An official notification with eligibility criteria is still awaited, so the details should be treated as reported rather than confirmed.

Key details

  • First-time inclusion of private-university students.
  • 10,000 students in the first phase, as reported.
  • Scheme led by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.
  • Official notification and eligibility criteria still awaited.

What it means for people in Pakistan

For private-university students in Punjab, this could open the door to a free laptop for the first time, but nothing is final until the official announcement. Students should watch for the formal notification and its eligibility rules.

iPhone 18 Pro and Galaxy S26 Prices Listed for Pakistan

Retailer listings in Pakistan put the iPhone 18 Pro Max 256GB at Rs 603,999 and the iPhone 18 Pro 512GB at Rs 647,999, alongside early Galaxy S26 details.

What happened?

The listings, which appeared in mid-October, give an early picture of flagship pricing in Pakistan ahead of wider availability, with Samsung’s Galaxy S26 series also appearing with its key specifications.

Key details

  • iPhone 18 Pro Max 256GB: Rs 603,999.
  • iPhone 18 Pro 512GB: Rs 647,999.
  • Galaxy S26 Ultra: 200MP camera and 5,000mAh battery.
  • S26 models listed with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage.

What it means for people in Pakistan

Flagship pricing remains high, and retailer listings can change before official launch, so treat these figures as an early guide rather than a final price.

Motorola Moto G77 Price in Pakistan Listed at Around Rs 92,999

The Motorola Moto G77, the brand’s return device in Pakistan, is listed at around Rs 92,999, following its launch on August 8 through distributor CoreTECH.

What happened?

Motorola’s return to the Pakistani market came through distributor CoreTECH, and the Moto G77 is now listed with official warranty support at around Rs 92,999.

Key details

  • 108MP OIS camera.
  • 120Hz AMOLED display.
  • Dimensity 6400 chip.
  • Official warranty via distributor.
  • Price: about Rs 92,999.

What it means for people in Pakistan

For buyers who liked Motorola’s clean software experience, the G77 marks the brand’s comeback in the mid-range, and the official warranty is worth confirming at the point of purchase.

TECNO POVA Curve 2 5G Launched in Pakistan at Rs 99,999

TECNO launched the POVA Curve 2 5G in Pakistan on October 15, 2026, priced at Rs 99,999 for the 8GB + 256GB version.

What happened?

The launch brought TECNO’s big-battery 5G line to Pakistan with a slim curved design, positioning the phone just under the Rs 100,000 mark.

Key details

  • Dimensity 7100 5G chip.
  • 8,000mAh battery in a 7.42mm body.
  • 144Hz AMOLED display.
  • Price: Rs 99,999 (8GB + 256GB).

What it means for people in Pakistan

For buyers who want 5G and a very large battery without crossing Rs 100,000, the POVA Curve 2 5G is a strong option, and its slim body is unusual for a phone with this battery size.

No New Laptop Under Rs 100,000 in Pakistan in October 2026 Survey

A survey of major Pakistani retailers in October 2026 found no new laptop in stock under Rs 100,000, with the cheapest new model, the Infinix InBook Air XL442, priced at Rs 140,000.

What happened?

The survey, reviewed on October 22, 2026, checked named retailers including Paklap, Telemart, Mega.pk and Daraz, and found the entry point for a brand-new laptop had moved well above Rs 100,000.

Key details

  • Cheapest new laptop: Infinix InBook Air XL442 at Rs 140,000.
  • Used laptops started at Rs 10,999.
  • Gaming laptops started at Rs 244,949.
  • Survey reviewed October 22, 2026.

What it means for people in Pakistan

For students and budget buyers, the market now pushes toward used machines or waiting for sales and promotions. Comparing the same model across several retailers remains the best way to avoid overpaying.

Businesses Divided Over State Bank’s Rate Rise to 12%

Business groups in Pakistan have given a mixed response to the State Bank of Pakistan’s decision to raise its key policy rate by 50 basis points to 12 per cent, with local chambers warning about higher borrowing costs while the overseas investors’ chamber backed the move as cautious.

What happened?

The State Bank raised the policy rate from 11.5 per cent to 12 per cent on 26 October 2026. Reporting on 27 October showed local business bodies criticising the increase, while the Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI) described it as a right step given elevated energy prices amid geopolitical tensions.

Key details:

  • The policy rate rose by 50 basis points, from 11.5 per cent to 12 per cent.
  • OICCI secretary general Abdul Aleem Khan called the increase a cautious approach, saying the central bank could have raised the rate by more but chose a smaller step amid the risk of rising inflation as geopolitical tensions push up energy prices.
  • Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) president Atif Ikram Sheikh expressed concern and disappointment, describing 12 per cent as uncompetitive compared with regional economies and warning that tighter policy could dampen industrial expansion and erode export competitiveness.
  • Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) president Talat Mahmood warned the move will increase the cost of doing business, discourage private-sector investment and slow economic growth.
  • Federal B Area Association of Trade and Industry president Syed Raza Hussain, SITE Association of Industry president Abdul Hadi and Korangi Association of Trade and Industry president Sheikh Umer Rehan also criticised or expressed disappointment over the decision.
  • Business leaders opposing the rise argued that inflationary pressure comes mainly from energy and fuel prices, geopolitical uncertainty, supply-chain disruption and higher essential commodity prices rather than excess domestic demand.

What it means for people in Pakistan:

The policy rate shapes what banks charge for loans, so a higher rate can mean costlier borrowing for businesses and households alike. Supporters of the move say it guards against inflation expectations becoming entrenched, while critics argue it raises costs for factories and traders already squeezed by energy prices — a tension that will show up in investment, hiring and prices in the months ahead.

Source: https://www.thenews.pk/print/1445230-businesses-divided-over-sbp-s-50bps-rate-hike

iPhone 16e Price in Pakistan Falls to Rs 289,999 in October Update

The PTA-approved iPhone 16e is now listed at Rs 289,999 in Pakistan in updated October pricing, undercutting the iPhone 15 at Rs 344,999.

What happened?

Updated October price guides list the PTA-approved iPhone 16e at Rs 289,999, making it the cheaper current-generation option against the iPhone 15’s Rs 344,999 listing.

Key details

  • A18 chip.
  • Apple Intelligence support.
  • PTA-approved price: Rs 289,999.
  • iPhone 15 listed at Rs 344,999 for comparison.

What it means for people in Pakistan

For buyers who want a current iPhone at a lower price, the 16e’s new listing is good news, and PTA approval matters for trouble-free network use. Prices still vary by retailer, so confirm the final price before purchase.

Vivo V80 Lite 5G Now Available in Pakistan from Rs 124,999

The Vivo V80 Lite 5G is now available in Pakistan, listed at Rs 124,999 for the 8GB + 128GB version and Rs 145,999 for the 8GB + 256GB version.

What happened?

Fresh listings confirm the phone’s current availability in Pakistan. Earlier pre-order listings date to August, with an early-October launch report, so this is best read as a confirmation of current availability rather than a brand-new launch.

Key details

  • 6.83-inch curved 120Hz AMOLED display.
  • Dimensity 7360-Turbo chip.
  • 7,050mAh battery.
  • Prices: Rs 124,999 (8GB + 128GB) and Rs 145,999 (8GB + 256GB).

What it means for people in Pakistan

For mid-range buyers, the V80 Lite 5G pairs a large curved display with a big battery, and the two storage options give a clear price choice. As always with new listings, confirm stock with the retailer before buying.