LAHORE – The federal government has withdrawn the 20 per cent federal excise duty (FED) on certain low-sugar sports and hydration beverages through an amendment to the Finance Bill 2026 as part of the FY2026-27 budget.

Under the amendment, mineral water, aerated water, hydration drinks and electrolyte beverages specifically formulated to support hydration and electrolyte replenishment will no longer be subject to the 20pc FED if they contain artificial sweeteners or sugar, or both, not exceeding five grams per 100 millilitres.

The exemption is expected to benefit products such as Gatorade and Revive, sports drink brands marketed by PepsiCo, which had been at the centre of a tax dispute with authorities.

While the Federal Board of Revenue maintained that the products fell within the scope of the excise duty on beverages, the companies argued that their low sugar content and electrolyte formulation distinguished them from sugary drinks subject to the levy.

The change has been introduced through amendments to the Federal Excise Schedule under the Federal Excise Act via the Finance Bill 2026. Previously, the 20pc FED applied to mineral water, aerated water, hydration drinks and electrolyte beverages irrespective of their sugar or artificial sweetener content.

The amended provision excludes “mineral water, aerated water, hydration drinks, or electrolyte beverages specifically formulated to support hydration and electrolyte replenishment, containing artificial sweeteners or sugar, or both, not exceeding 5g per 100ml” from the scope of the excise duty.

The amendment follows concerns raised by the United States Embassy in Islamabad, which had urged the Ministry of Finance to address tax and customs disputes affecting multinational beverage companies operating in Pakistan.

The embassy said resolving issues related to customs classification, taxation and the FED would help support PepsiCo Pakistan’s manufacturing operations and encourage future foreign direct investment.

PESHAWAR – A tragic Peshawar triple murder has left a local community in shock. A man allegedly shot and killed his parents and his brother on Tuesday morning. The incident followed a domestic dispute in the Sarband area. 

According to the Sarband Police Station, the shooting occurred during the early hours of the day. The suspect opened fire on his father, mother, and brother inside their residence. He then fled the scene to evade arrest. 

Neighbors reported the gunfire to the authorities. A police contingent quickly arrived at the location to secure the area. Officers then transported the victims’ bodies to a nearby medical facility for mandatory postmortem examinations. 

Investigation And Search Operation Underway 

Following the horrific Peshawar triple murder, law enforcement authorities registered a formal case. They immediately launched a targeted search operation in the surrounding localities. The main goal is to apprehend the fleeing suspect. 

Forensic teams are currently gathering evidence from the residence. Meanwhile, investigators are interviewing neighbors to determine the exact cause of the violence. 

Local leadership has expressed deep concern over the incident. Officials are urging citizens to resolve domestic grievances through community mediation.

Rising Domestic Violence Concerns In KP 

This deadly shooting marks the second major triple killing in the province within a single week. These incidents raise serious questions about the escalation of domestic conflicts. On July 3, three individuals, including two women, were fatally shot in an alleged honor killing in the Matta Mughal area of Shabqadar. 

In that earlier case, no immediate family members stepped forward to file a complaint. Therefore, the state took legal action and registered the First Information Report (FIR) on behalf of the public. 

ISLAMABAD – The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has introduced special facilitation measures to help businesses in the steel sector register as companies after recent tax law changes made incorporation a prerequisite for certain tax concessions.

According to the regulator, a dedicated facilitation desk has been established on the directions of Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani to assist steel businesses with company registration and expedite the processing of incorporation applications. The initiative is being overseen by SECP Chairman Dr Kabir Ahmed Sidhu.

The move follows amendments introduced through the Finance Act, 2026, which revised the Second Schedule of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001. Under the new provisions, steel businesses must be registered as companies to qualify for specified tax incentives.

As a result, steel mills operating as Associations of Persons (AOPs) or other unincorporated entities will be subject to a higher tax burden than incorporated companies registered with the SECP.

The Pakistan Association of Large Steel Producers (PALSP) had approached the regulator after the amendments, seeking guidance on the conversion of steel sector AOPs into companies.

The SECP said the incorporation process is fully digital and includes user registration, name reservation, submission of a digitally signed application and payment of the prescribed fee. It added that companies can be incorporated within four hours if all required documents are complete.

The regulator said it currently incorporates more than 3,500 companies each month and will jointly hold an awareness webinar with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on July 8 to guide steel businesses on the incorporation process under the new tax regime.