MG Morning Breeze: Updates to Skim before Market

August 01, 2025 (MLN): Morning Breeze aims to lessen the load for its readers by curating noteworthy updates from the preceding day.

• Pakistan's Forex Reserves Decrease by USD 310.50 Million

Pakistan's Total Forex Reserves Decreased by USD 310.50 Million over the week Read more

• SBP increases rate of Special Cash Reserve Account to 3.35% for August

SBP increases rate of Special Cash Reserve Account to 3.35% for August 2025 Read more

• Public grievance system introduced at EDB

A significant step forward was taken today with the report of a Complaint Redressal Portal and a dedicated committee to address public grievances concerning the Engineering Development Board (EDB). Read more

• PKR rises by 8 paisa against USD

The Pakistani rupee (PKR) increased by 8.11 paisa or 0.03% against the US dollar in Thursday's interbank session to settle the trade at PKR 282.87 per USD, compared to previous closing of 282.95. Read more

• Gold takes a Rs2,000 per tola hit

Gold price in Pakistan decreased on Thursday, with 24-karat gold being sold at Rs353,000 per tola, down Rs2,000. Read more

• United Insurance resumes Guarantee Business operations

The United Insurance Company of Pakistan Limited has officially resumed its guarantee business operations following a directive from the Islamabad High Court (IHC), which suspended the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan’s (SECP) earlier orders to halt such activities. Read more

• Shehbaz hails army, privatization commission for landmark IPP deal

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has lauded the successful outcome of earlier negotiations with Independent Power Producers (IPPs), which, according to the premier, resulted in savings of billions of rupees for the national exchequer. Read more

• PSX Closing Bell: Electric Love

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) closed Thursday’s trading session on a high note, as the benchmark KSE-100 Index jumped 978.17 points, or 0.71%, to settle at 139,390.42. Read more

• Govt launches AI Policy 2025

Pakistan has approved the National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy 2025, a transformative initiative aimed at building a robust AI ecosystem to modernize public services. Read more

• EPCL's earnings erosion deepens

Engro Polymer and Chemicals Limited (PSX: EPCL) has reported a deepening financial strain for the half-year ended June 30, 2025, as its consolidated loss for the period more than doubled YoY, rising by 103% to Rs3.23 billion from Rs1.59bn in the same period of 2024. Read more

• Bank Alfalah declares Rs2.5/share dividend

Bank Alfalah Limited (PSX: BAFL) has released its financial results for the half-year ended June 30, 2025. The company declared a cash dividend of Rs2.50 per share (25%). Read more

• New Hajj policy sets 70:30 quota with full digitization

70% of the pilgrimage quota is allocated to the government and 30% to private operators, as part of a broader push to digitize and reform the entire Hajj operation under the new Hajj policy 2026 Read more

• U.S. sanctions six Indian firms for aiding Iran’s terror financing network

The United States has imposed sanctions on six Indian companies for allegedly facilitating financial transactions that support Iran’s revenue streams, which the U.S. administration claims are used to fund terrorism and destabilizing activities across the Middle East. Read more

• HBL 1HFY25 profit Rs34.4bn, Rs4.50/share dividend declared

Habib Bank Limited (HBL) reported a net profit of Rs34.44 billion for the half year ended June 30 2025, showing a YoY increase of 18.6% compared to Rs29.04bn in the same period last year. Read more

• JK Spinning Mills invests Rs161m to boost efficiency

J.K. Spinning Mills Limited (PSX: JKSM) is making a strategic investment of Rs161 million to upgrade its fabric division with state-of-the-art automated machinery aimed at improving efficiency, reducing costs, and enhancing product quality, the Company's filing on PSX revealed today. Read more

• Moonis Alvi to appeal CEO removal order over harassment case

Moonis Alvi, Chief Executive Officer of K-Electric Limited, has issued a formal response to the recent ruling by the Provincial Ombudsman Sindh under the Protection Against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act, expressing deep concern over the outcome and revealing his intention to contest the decision. Read more

• KIBOR jumps after SBP holds policy rate steady

Karachi Interbank Offered Rates (KIBOR) jumped sharply across all maturities on Thursday, following the State Bank of Pakistan's (SBP) unexpected decision to keep its benchmark policy rate unchanged at 11%. Read more

• Crescent Star Insurance resumes 'Guarantee Business'

Crescent Star Insurance Limited has officially resumed its guarantee business after the Islamabad High Court set aside the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan’s (SECP) directive that had previously halted such operations. Read more

• Bawany Air Products back on PSX Normal Counter

Bawany Air Products Limited (PSX: BAPL) has been officially restored to the Normal Counter on the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) following the resumption of its core business operations, marking the end of nearly three years of halted activity. Read more

• Sitara Peroxide narrows annual loss by 77%

Sitara Peroxide Limited (PSX: SPL) has reported a net loss of Rs169.35 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024, significantly lower than the loss of Rs732.55m recorded in the same period last year. Read more

• Zahur Cotton Mills completes transition to ITANZ Technologies

ITANZ Technologies Limited has officially notified the completion of its transformation from Zahur Cotton Mills Limited (PSX: ZHCM), marking a significant milestone in the company’s strategic repositioning from textiles to the technology sector. Read more

• Govt plans local insulin production via Russia joint venture

In a major step toward self-reliance in healthcare, the government is working to initiate local production of insulin through a proposed joint venture with Russian pharmaceutical firms. Read more

• Pakistan seeks stronger trade ties with Morocco

Pakistan has called for broadening bilateral cooperation with Morocco in key sectors including textiles, agriculture, leather, pharmaceuticals, and information technology. Read more

• Fed holds rates steady

In a closely watched decision, the Federal Reserve voted to hold interest rates steady for the fifth consecutive meeting, keeping the benchmark federal funds rate in the range of 4.25% to 4.5% on Wednesday. Read more

• Pakistan’s untapped Shale reserves back in focus

Pakistan is sitting on vast shale oil and gas resources, with new data reaffirming the long-term potential of the Indus Basin. Read more

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