Engro backs Pakistan energy security

May 15, 2026 (MLN): Morning Breeze aims to lessen the load for its readers by curating noteworthy updates from the preceding day.

• Govt strengthens cybersecurity framework

Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja on Thursday told the National Assembly that the government was intensifying efforts to strengthen Pakistan’s cybersecurity system in response to the rising incidence of digital fraud and online crime. Read more

• Govt unveils population control strategy

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday declared the establishment of a National Population Council aimed at formulating a coordinated national policy to address the country’s rising population growth rate. Read more

• Govt prioritizes industry, agriculture growth

Efforts to strengthen local manufacturing and align upcoming industrial policies with economic growth objectives gained momentum as discussions were held on the federal budget, auto policy, tractor policy, and industrial development. Read more

• Pakistan's Panda Bond draws $1.3bn in investor demand, oversubscribed 5x

Pakistan has successfully issued its first-ever Panda Bond in China's onshore capital market, raising RMB 1.75 billion (approximately US$250 million) through a 3-year fixed-rate instrument, which marks the country's historic entry into the world's second-largest capital market. Read more

• SBP reserves rise by $17m

The foreign exchange reserves held by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) increased by $16.7 million or 0.11% WoW to $15.87 billion during the week ended on May 8, 2026, data released by the State Bank of Pakistan showed on Thursday. Read more

• Pakistan, Azerbaijan vow to deepen bilateral ties

Pakistan and Azerbaijan are strengthening their bilateral relationship across all spheres, with both sides actively working to enhance mutual legal assistance mechanisms and build capacity within their judicial systems. Read more

• Govt has absorbed billions in fuel costs, reviews prices weekly

The Pakistani government has absorbed billions of rupees in petroleum-related costs to ease the burden on consumers, while introducing weekly fuel price reviews and targeted subsidies for motorcycle users and public transport operators. Read more

• Civil Govt spending up 12.5% in 9 months

Clarification Regarding Civil Government Expenditure Figures by 12.5% during the first nine months of FY2025-26, with officials clarifying that the rise was primarily driven by employee compensation adjustments and allocations for critical public health programmes rather than a significant increase in operational spending. Read more

• Pakistan, Qatar boost LNG cooperation

Pakistan has expressed gratitude to Qatar for its timely facilitation in ensuring uninterrupted LNG supplies during a critical period marked by congestion in the Strait of Hormuz and surging summer power demand. Read more

• PKR edges higher, Rupee stands firm against USD

The Pakistani rupee edged higher against the US dollar on Thursday, extending its gradual recovery as the local currency settled at PKR 278.62 per dollar in the interbank market an improvement of 3.05 paisa from the previous close of 278.65. Read more

• Pakistan's leather industry pushes for tax relief, regulatory reforms

Pakistan's leather industry is facing mounting structural challenges that are hampering its export competitiveness, with stakeholders pointing to high production costs, fragmented compliance requirements, heavy taxation, and limited market access as key barriers holding back a sector with significant untapped potential. Read more

• Pakistan eyes China market for buffalo embryo exports

A proposed Material Transfer Agreement (MTA) framework to govern the export of buffalo embryos and elite dairy breed genetics to China is under discussion. Read more

• PSX Closing Bell: Gains Cut Short

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) extended its losing streak on Thursday, with the benchmark KSE-100 Index closing lower by 952.30 points or 0.57% as investors remained cautious amid uncertainty in global energy markets and continued pressure on heavyweight banking stocks. Read more

• Pakistan tyre exports gain global traction

Pakistan has emerged among the top 10 exporters of truck and bus radial (TBR) tyres to key global markets including the United States and Brazil, marking a significant shift in the country’s industrial and export landscape. Read more

• Gold price in Pakistan rises Rs1,000 per tola

Gold price in Pakistan increased on Thursday, with 24-karat gold being sold at Rs492,362 per tola, up Rs1,000. Read more

• STL receives shariah compliance certificate

Supernet Technologies Limited (PSX:STL) has been issued a Shariah Compliance Certificate by Al-Hilal Shariah Advisors (Private) Limited, based on the company's Condensed Interim Financial Position as at March 31, 2026. Read more

• MoF rejects report of budget power-shift narrative

The Ministry of Finance has strongly rejected a news report suggesting that Prime Minister had handed over control of the budget-making process to Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, calling the story "misleading and speculative." Read more

• Pakistan mutual funds hit Rs4.48tr; equity AUMs surge 9% MoM

Pakistan's mutual fund industry recorded broad-based growth in April 2026, with total assets under management reaching Rs4.476 trillion up 3% from March. Read more

• SECP eases mutual fund investment for small investors

Pakistan's Securities and Exchange Commission (SECP) has overhauled its mutual fund account framework, raises investment limits for small investors in a push to deepen retail participation in the country's capital markets. Read more

• IP theft costs Pakistan Rs860bn annually

The Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI) released its latest IPR Survey during the visit of IPO-Pakistan Director General Nauman Aslam to the Chamber. The survey, covering eight sectors, found that intellectual property violations are costing the country an estimated Rs. 860 billion annually in lost revenue and taxes. Read more

• FAB, SACE support Arada in $100m sustainable funding deal

Arada has secured its first sustainability-linked financing, a $100 million facility arranged with First Abu Dhabi Bank and guaranteed by Italy’s export credit agency SACE. Read more

• Dollar pulls back after near two-week high

The U.S. dollar edged lower on Thursday, retreating modestly after climbing to its strongest level in nearly two weeks in the prior session, fueled by wholesale inflation data that came in hotter than analysts had anticipated. Read more

• PSX schedules 6th GoP Hybrid Sukuk Auction

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) has officially declared that the upcoming 6th primary market auction for Government of Pakistan (GoP) Hybrid Sukuk (GHS), scheduled to take place on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, through the PSX Auction System. Read more

• S.G. Power rebrands as Crestwell Healthcare

In what marks one of the more dramatic corporate identity shifts seen on the Pakistan Stock Exchange in recent memory, S.G. Power Limited has formally resolved to rename itself Crestwell Healthcare Limited. Read more

• Gold holds stable ground amid Trump, Xi Summit uncertainty

Gold remained stable on Thursday, buoyed by a softening U.S. dollar that made the commodity more attractive to international buyers. Read more

• FBR proposes AI monitoring, e-auctions in tax reform push

Artificial intelligence systems capable of detecting false data in tax returns and a digital auction platform for goods seized by customs authorities are among the enforcement measures under active consideration for Pakistan's upcoming federal budget. Read more

• Foreign currency deposits fall by $28m in April 2026

Foreign currency deposits fell by $27.75m to $6.786 billion as of April 2026 compared to the previous month, the latest data released by the State Bank of Pakistan showed. Read more

• TRG: Proving Grounds

Supreme Court of Pakistan has handed a landmark victory to Mr. Ziaullah Khan Chishti, the founder and former CEO of TRG Pakistan Limited (TRG), and the company’s local shareholders, by dismissing appeals that sought to reverse a Sindh High Court’s judgment that deemed acquisition of a 30% stake in the PSX-listed technology company as both fraudulent and oppressive to minority shareholders. Read more

• Trump, Xi sit down in Beijing, can it last?

USA-China relations took center stage this week as a two-day summit got underway, bringing together the world's two largest economies to tackle a packed agenda of divisive issues. Read more

• NBP issues foreign exchange rates

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

• Oil remain steady at $106 amid mixed signals from OPEC

Crude oil prices remain steady on Thursday, caught between a downward revision to demand expectations from OPEC and fresh warnings from the International Energy Agency about heightened market volatility in the months ahead. Read more

• TRG wins key US court ruling against Zia Chishti

The United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (SDNY) issued a ruling on 12 May 2026 in a case originally filed on 1 March 2023. Read more

• Asia markets mixed ahead of Trump-Xi talks

Asia markets traded mixed on Thursday as investors closely monitored a crucial meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, hoping for signals on the direction of global trade relations and economic cooperation between the world’s two largest economies. Read more

• Pakistan debuts in China’s capital market

Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, departed for Beijing to attend the issuance ceremony of Pakistan’s inaugural $250m Panda Bond under a $1bn programme, according to post on a X by Khurram Schehzad. Read more

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