LAHORE – The federal government has withdrawn the 20 per cent federal excise duty (FED) on certain low-sugar sports and hydration beverages through an amendment to the Finance Bill 2026 as part of the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

ISLAMABAD – The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has officially announced a massive Islamabad road rehabilitation project. This major initiative aims to repair and resurface four of the capital’s busiest roads. Local officials expect the development to significantly improve daily traffic flow and boost overall road safety. 

According to statements from the authority, the engineering project will cover key commuter routes. These heavily used tracks include: 

• Srinagar Highway 

• Jinnah Avenue 

• Murree Road 

• Islamabad Expressway 

These primary routes currently serve tens of thousands of local commuters every single day. Because they are among the most heavily used networks in the city, the infrastructure upgrade is a major priority for urban planners. 

Resurfacing Damaged Sections for Smoother Commutes 

A core component of this Islamabad road rehabilitation project involves repairing heavily damaged segments of asphalt. Resurfacing these sections will instantly improve local driving conditions. It will also reduce regular wear and tear on civilian vehicles. 

Furthermore, the strategic initiative is expected to reduce daily travel times. Easing bottlenecks on these critical corridors will create a much smoother driving experience across the capital. 

“The primary goal is to modernize our core transport networks to match the city’s growing population density,” a representative noted during the project announcement. 

Actual construction work on the routes will begin right after the formal tendering process finishes. Top engineering contracts are currently being reviewed. While the authority has not yet shared a final completion timeline, updates are expected soon. 

Progress Updates on the Rs. 10 Billion Park Road Infrastructure 

While preparing for the upcoming Islamabad road rehabilitation project, authorities also shared positive updates regarding existing construction. Last month, management confirmed that the Rs. 10 billion Park Road infrastructure project is moving forward exactly on schedule. 

Engineers plan to complete the brand-new underpass first. Crews will then focus on finishing the remaining roadside infrastructure. 

The extensive layout includes an underpass, advanced overhead structures, and dedicated service roads. This design will directly improve connectivity between Park Road and Margalla Avenue. Ultimately, it will ease heavy congestion for all surrounding residential areas. 

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.