MG Morning Breeze: Updates to Skim before Market

August 11, 2025 (MLN): Morning Breeze aims to lessen the load for its readers by curating noteworthy updates from the preceding day.

• Weekly Market Roundup

The market gained momentum during the week, driven by mutual fund buying on fresh inflows as equities outperformed other asset classes. Read more

• SCRA records Rs2.90 billion net purchase of securities

Weekly Data on Specially Convertible Rupee Accounts (SCRA) released by the State Bank of Pakistan shows a net decrease Read more

• CDC integrates RAAST system with MK Securities for real-time investor fund transfers

In a milestone for Pakistan’s capital market, the Central Depository Company (CDC) has successfully integrated the RAAST payment system into Muhammad Munir Muhammad Ahmed Khanani Securities Limited, enabling real-time investor fund transfers. Read more

• Pakistan, Qatar explore deeper climate, investment ties

Pakistan and Qatar have explored new avenues for enhanced bilateral cooperation in climate action, investment and international environmental diplomacy during a recent meeting between senior officials from both countries. Read more

• Cotton arrivals drop by 30%

Cotton arrivals in Pakistan fell by 30% to 594 thousand bales as of July 31, 2025, compared to 844 thousand bales during the same period last year, according to the latest data released by the Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association (PCGA). Read more

• LOTCHEM temporarily halts plant operations due to technical fault

LOTTE Chemical Pakistan Ltd. (PSX: LOTCHEM) has stated a temporary shutdown of its plant operations following the occurrence of a technical fault, according to the company's statement issued today. Read more

• Pakistan to become first South Asian signatory to UCH treaty

Pakistan is set to become the first South Asian country to ratify the 2001 UNESCO Convention on the Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage (UCH) marking a significant step toward safeguarding its submerged maritime legacy. Read more

• PKR gains 9 paisa per USD

The PKR to USD exchange rate in August 2025 saw the Pakistani rupee (PKR) strengthen by 8.90 paisa or 0.03% in Friday's interbank session, with the PKR interbank closing rate settling at PKR 282.47 per USD, compared to the previous closing of 282.56, according to the State Bank of Pakistan. Read more

• Workers' remittances rise 7% YoY in July to over $3bn

Workers’ remittances to Pakistan continued their upward trajectory, rising by 7.36% YoY in July 2025 to $3.21 billion, compared to $2.99bn in July 2024, according to the latest data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). Read more

• Crypto market surges amid 401(k) access speculation

The crypto market jumped on excitement that bitcoin and other digital assets could soon be coming to 401(k) retirement plans. Read more

• Government rallies timber traders to join reforestation drive

The Government has reaffirmed its support for the timber trade sector while urging it to take a proactive role in boosting forest growth nationwide. Read more

• Weekly SPI increases by 0.05%

Pakistan's short-term inflation increased by 0.05% compared to the previous week, while it rose by 1.73% compared to the same period last year, the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) reported on Friday. Read more

• OMO Result: SBP injects Rs1tr

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) conducted a reverse repo and Shariah Compliant Modarabah based Open Market Operation (OMO) today, in which it cumulatively injected a total of Rs1 trillion into the market of which Rs898 billion were injected through reverse repo OMO. Read more

• Pakistan boosts financial cybersecurity with PCI DSS training

In a bid to strengthen cybersecurity resilience across Pakistan’s financial and fintech sectors, the National Institute of Banking and Finance, Pakistan (NIBAF-Pakistan), in collaboration with Risk Associates, conducted a two-day capacity-building training. Read more

• Gold price in Pakistan rises Rs500 per tola

Gold price in Pakistan increased on Friday, with 24-karat gold being sold at Rs362,700 per tola, up Rs500. Read more

• Markets see strong odds of BoE rate hold

Markets priced in over a 90% chance that the Bank of England would hold rates at its next meeting, though analysts remained split on the path ahead. Read more

• MUFAP gains SRO status, sets new benchmark for fund sector

The Mutual Funds Association of Pakistan (MUFAP) has achieved formal registration as a Self-Regulatory Organization (SRO) under Section 36D of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) Act. Read more

• PPL responds swiftly to ransomware attack

Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PSX: PPL), one of the country’s leading energy firms, has confirmed a cybersecurity breach involving a ransomware attack that targeted segments of its IT infrastructure. Read more

• Pakistan sitting on billions in mineral resources

Pakistan is sitting atop billions worth of mineral wealth, yet only a fraction of it has been tapped. Read more

• Govt plans tax cuts to boost exports

The Government has considered a series of long-term tax reforms and export incentives as part of its industrial policy revamp aimed at stimulating investment and improving international competitiveness Read more

• SMIC sees strong demand offsetting U.S. tariff concerns

Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp (SMIC) expects strong domestic demand to keep its production capacity tight until October, with co-CEO Zhao Haijun noting that U.S. tariff policies have not caused the “hard landing” the company initially feared. Read more

• Saudi Riyal available at PKR 75.85 in open market

The Saudi Riyal to PKR open market rate showed stability in today’s session (August 2025), with the SAR to PKR today in Pakistan quoted at PKR 75.55 for buying and PKR 75.85 for selling. Read more

• Govt takes initiative against population challenge

The Government has called for the development of a comprehensive policy to harness demographic potential and ensure sustainable economic growth amid concerns over Pakistan’s rapidly increasing population. Read more

• Govt moves to strengthen legal framework for investment growth

Pakistan has considered key legal reforms aimed at boosting investor confidence and improving the overall investment climate including proposed amendments to the Income Tax Ordinance 2001, reforms in the Protection of Economic Reforms Act 1992 and revisions to the General Clauses Act 1897. Read more

• PSX to suspend KiTS services for scheduled maintenance on August 9

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) will temporarily suspend its Karachi Internet Trading System (KiTS) due to scheduled maintenance. Read more

• Govt sees positive economic trend in export rise

Pakistan's exports have reached $2.7 billion in the first month of the new fiscal year which showed a 17% increase compared to July last year. Read more

• Govt targets to raise Rs600bn through GIS auction from Aug-Oct

The Pakistan Stock Exchange Limited (PSX) will conduct auctions for the sale of GoP Ijarah Sukuk (GIS) from August to October 2025, targeting a total of Rs600 billion across various tenors and instruments. Read more

• Pakistan to launch train service between Saryab and Kuchlak

The Government of Balochistan, in collaboration with Pakistan Railways, has taken a significant step toward launching the “People’s Train Service” between Saryab and Kuchlak. Read more

• Pakistan, China reaffirm strategic ties

Pakistan and China have reaffirmed their shared commitment to strengthening bilateral ties across government-to-government (G2G), business-to-business (B2B), and people-to-people (P2P) domains, as part of a broader push to enhance regional and institutional cooperation Read more

• KTML records increase in annual profitability

Kohinoor Textile Mills Limited's (PSX: KTML) profit after taxation increased to Rs2.75 billion [EPS: Rs10.21] for the year ended June 30, 2025, compared to Rs2.20bn [EPS: Rs8.07] in the same period last year (SPLY). Read more

• SECP launches Digital AMC framework

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has unveiled a wide-ranging package of reforms to strengthen the mutual funds industry, such as the introduction of a Digital Asset Management Companies (AMC) framework. Read more

• NEPRA member flags Rs117bn losses from Guddu, Neelum-Jhelum

In a strongly worded technical note, a member of the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has pointed to persistent governance failures in Pakistan’s power sector, citing prolonged outages, stalled infrastructure projects, and mounting financial losses, all feeding into higher monthly Fuel Cost Adjustments (FCA) for consumers. Read more

• NBP issues foreign exchange rates

The treasury management division of the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) on Friday, issued the following exchange rates. Read more

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