MG Morning Breeze: Updates to Skim before Market

August 19, 2025 (MLN): Morning Breeze aims to lessen the load for its readers by curating noteworthy updates from the preceding day.

• SBP may cut rates further by 100 bps: Bloomberg

The State Bank of Pakistan has halved its policy rate to 11% since June 2024 and could cut rates by another 100 basis points in the current fiscal year that started in July, as Bloomberg reported. Read more

• Introducing shareholder Agahi: A new era of investor empowerment

To increase the shareholders awareness and strengthening corporate governance, the Central Depository Company of Pakistan (CDC) and Pakistan Institute of Corporate Governance (PICG) have jointly developed Shareholder Agahi an innovative digital portal designed to equip shareholders with the knowledge and tools needed to make informed, impactful decisions. Read more

• Hindu Kush Himalaya meet seeks joint legislative action on climate crisis

Lawmakers from across the Hindu Kush Himalaya were urged on Monday to forge a regional climate solidarity pact as Pakistan spotlighted its sweeping domestic climate reforms and warned of mounting human and economic costs from worsening floods, droughts and melting glaciers. Read more

• Pakistan, Sweden discuss strengthening economic ties

Pakistan and Sweden set to explore new avenues for economic cooperation, focusing on trade enhancement, investment opportunities, and collaboration in sectors such as textiles, IT, mining, renewable energy, and skill development. Read more

• Government steps up flood response with ministerial oversight

The government has directed all federal ministers to immediately move to flood-affected regions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Jammu & Kashmir to personally supervise relief and recovery operations. Read more

• CEMB-33 cotton seed set to triple yields

Pakistan’s cotton sector is on the brink of revival as a newly developed genetically modified seed, CEMB-33, has demonstrated the potential to nearly triple per-acre yields while withstanding extreme heat, offering fresh hope for the country’s struggling textile industry. Read more

• PSX Closing Bell: Riding High Again

The benchmark KSE-100 Index concluded Monday's trading session at 148,196.42, showing an increase of 1,704.79 points or 1.16%. Read more

• Dubai International Chamber attracts 143 companies in H1 2025

Dubai International Chamber, one of the three chambers under Dubai Chambers, successfully attracted 143 companies to Dubai during the first half of 2025, representing a 138% increase compared to 60 companies in the same period last year. Read more

• SBP to roll out PRISM+ on Aug. 19

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) will launch its upgraded payment and settlement system, PRISM+, on Aug. 19, according to confirmation from the Central Bank’s media wing to Mettis Global. Read more

• Pakistan’s economy on path to sustainable growth says FM

Pakistan’s economy has entered a phase of stability and is moving toward sustainable growth, with reforms focused on effective use of resources and long-term progress. Read more

• PKR gains 4 paisa against USD

The Pakistani rupee (PKR) gained by 4.41 paisa or 0.02% against the US dollar in Monday's interbank session to settle the trade at PKR 282.02 per USD, compared to previous closing of 282.06. Read more

• PRL posts nearly Rs5bn loss in FY25

Pakistan Refinery Limited (PRL) has reported a loss of Rs4.66 billion for the year ending June 30, 2025, compared to a profit of Rs4.06bn in the previous year. Read more

• Govt steps up efforts amid deadly floods

The government made efforts at the national level to deal with the flood situation in different parts of the country and confirmed that six hundred and seventy people had so far died and one thousand others injured due to rains, floods, and landsliding. Read more

• Gold price in Pakistan rises Rs1500 per tola

Gold price in Pakistan increased on Monday, with 24-karat gold being sold at Rs357,700 per tola, up Rs1,500. Read more

• POL discloses completion of Jhal Magsi Project

Pakistan Oilfields Limited (PSX: POL) has disclosed the successful completion and commissioning of the Jhal Magsi Development Project, located in District Jhal Magsi, Balochistan. Read more

• Ukraine peace push moves to Washington amid disputes over NATO, Crimea

In a major policy signal, U.S. President Donald Trump ruled out Ukraine’s NATO membership and the reversal of Russia’s annexation of Crimea. Read more

• Kyrgyzstan charts SCO growth agenda

Kyrgyzstan has outlined its economic priorities for expanding trade and investment as it takes over the chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). Read more

• SBP Governor stresses role of capital markets in growth

The importance of well-developed, deep, and diversified capital markets was underscored by Governor State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Mr. Jameel Ahmad, who said such markets are vital to complement the banking sector and support long-term, sustainable economic growth. Read more

• Crescent Star Insurance targets 38% holding in S.G. Power Limited

Crescent Star Insurance Limited (PSX: CSIL) has formally expressed its intention to acquire a significant stake in S.G. Power Limited, according to a notice submitted by Intermarket Securities Limited, the Manager to the Offer. Read more

• European stocks flat ahead of Trump-Ukraine talks

European stocks opened in mixed territory on Monday as traders looked ahead to a meeting between regional leaders and U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss Ukraine. Read more

• Zarea Limited executes first export consignment to UAE

Zarea Limited (PSX: ZAL) has disclosed the successful execution of its first export consignment to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as part of its global expansion strategy. Read more

• Oil prices slip as U.S. pauses fresh action on Russian exports

Oil prices fell on Monday after the United States held off on imposing additional measures against Russian oil exports, following Friday’s meeting between the two presidents that offered no new pressure on Moscow to end the Ukraine war. Read more

• China’s $100m SEZ set to power Pakistan’s textiles

A Chinese garments group, Challenge Fashion Private Limited, is setting up a Special Economic Zone in Pakistan with an investment of $100 million over the next five years, expected to generate $400m in exports. Read more

• Global community extends condolences, support to Pakistan amid flood crisis

The international community has expressed deep sorrow and solidarity with Pakistan over the devastation caused by ongoing floods across the country. Read more

• Saudi Riyal available at PKR 75.7 in open market

The exchange rates for the Saudi Riyal (SAR), UAE Dirham (AED), and Qatari Riyal (QAR) against the Pakistani Rupee (PKR) remained unchanged as of 10 am PST, reflecting a stable trend in today’s session. Read more

• Fertilizer offtake dips in July 2025

Fertilizer consumption in Pakistan witnessed a mixed performance in July 2025, as overall nutrient offtake declined by 12% year-on-year, according to the latest Monthly Fertilizer Review released by the National Fertilizer Development Centre (NFDC). Read more

• LSE Ventures approves stock split to enhance market liquidity

LSE Ventures Limited is set to undergo a significant capital restructuring following shareholder approval at its Extraordinary General Meeting (EOGM) held on August 16, 2025. Read more

• Pakistan’s banking sector set to gain from economic stabilization

Pakistan’s banks are expected to gain from improving business opportunities as the country’s operating environment stabilizes, Fitch Ratings said in a latest report. Read more

• Govt scales up relief operations in KP flood-hit districts

The federal government has intensified relief operations in flood-affected areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Read more

• Kohat Cement to change share face value

The National Clearing Company of Pakistan Limited (NCCPL) has informed clearing members about the change in the face value of Kohat Cement Company Limited (PSX: KOHC) shares, which will take effect from August 25, 2025. Read more

• Govt launches Monsoon Tree Plantation Drive to tackle climate risks

The government has launched a nationwide Monsoon Tree Plantation Drive under the Green Pakistan Programme, as President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif called for collective national action to combat climate change and build environmental resilience. Read more

• Pakistan accelerates push toward cashless economy

Pakistan is accelerating its efforts to transition toward a cashless economy, with the government placing digitization of financial transactions at the top of its reform agenda. Read more

• Asia markets rise ahead of Trump–Zelenskiy talks

Asia-Pacific markets were largely higher on Monday as investors awaited discussions between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. Read more

• OGDC expands production with Jhal Magsi Gas Field Commissioning

Oil & Gas Development Company Limited (PSX: OGDC) has successfully completed and commissioned the Jhal Magsi Development Project located in the remote region of District Jhal Magsi, Balochistan. Read more

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