How trading profits are taxed in Pakistan
Forex/derivatives trading profit for residents is generally taxed as income; where treated as capital gains on movable assets (other than exchange-traded securities) it is taxable at the individual's normal slab rates (as of the review), while listed-securities gains and foreign shares/funds carry specific rates (foreign shares/mutual funds ~15% flat per PwC). Residents taxed on worldwide income; must file a Foreign Income and Assets Statement if foreign income exceeds USD 10,000 or foreign assets exceed USD 100,000 in the tax year. Tax authority: FBR (https://www.fbr.gov.pk). Crypto gains: flat 15% CGT as of the review. Verify with FBR / PwC.
The detail
Moving money in and out
SBP enforces active exchange controls. Reported outward limits (as of the review): card-based transactions capped around USD 30,000/year; individuals/sole proprietors often limited to roughly USD 10,000/year for outward remittances; earlier 2022 tightening cut per-day FX purchase/remittance to USD 5,000 with an annual cap of USD 50,000. As of Nov 2025 SBP mandated foreign currency sold to residents move only through digital channels. Remittances above prescribed limits require SBP FEOD approval via banks' FX Portal. Figures as of the review; verify with SBP (https://www.sbp.org.pk).
Local rails for offshore-broker funding: bank transfer plus mobile wallets Easypaisa and JazzCash (offered via brokers like Octa, PrimeXBT), and e-wallets Skrill/Neteller; some residents route via USDT P2P. Most deposits process instantly. Base-currency broker accounts typically USD (rarely PKR), so PKR-USD conversion cost applies; USD/PKR spot pairs seldom tradable.
What this means for choosing a broker
Tax is charged on what you made, not on where the broker is. What the broker's location does change is the paperwork you will have: a local entity reports in Pakistan, a foreign one does not, and the statement you file comes from whichever entity signed you.
We are not tax advisers and nothing here is advice. The figures above are the published rules as we read them on the date on this page.
FAQ (2)
Are trading profits taxed in Pakistan?
Forex/derivatives trading profit for residents is generally taxed as income; where treated as capital gains on movable assets (other than exchange-traded securities) it is taxable at the individual's normal slab rates (as of the review), while listed-securities gains and foreign shares/funds carry s
Does it matter whether the broker is local or offshore?
For the tax owed, no. For the paperwork and the ease of moving money, yes.