MG Morning Breeze: Updates to Skim before Market

August 21, 2025 (MLN): Morning Breeze aims to lessen the load for its readers by curating noteworthy updates from the preceding day.

• Pakistan, UK vow to deepen bilateral cooperation

Pakistan and the United Kingdom discussed strengthening democratic institutions supporting overseas Pakistanis and expanding bilateral cooperation during a meeting between Parliamentary Secretary for Information and Broadcasting Barrister Danyal Chaudhry and British High Commissioner to Pakistan Jane Marriott. Read more

• SBP raises Rs636bn in MTB, PIB-Floating auctions

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) successfully conducted two debt auctions on Wednesday, raising a combined Rs636 billion through Market Treasury Bills (MTBs) and Pakistan Investment Bonds – Floating Rate (PFL), with cut-off yields showing stability across most tenors. Read more

• Pakistan, China reinforce ‘Ironclad’ ties with high-level talks

Pakistan and China deepened their strategic engagement this week as Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi arrived in Islamabad for a three-day visit, emphasising what Beijing described as “ironclad” ties between the two nations. Read more

• CCP approves HA Fibres merger with Husnain Textile Mills

The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has approved the merger of HA Fibres (Private) Limited (HAFL) with and into Husnain Textile Mills (Private) Limited (HTML). Read more

• PSX Closing Bell: Stairway to Gains

The benchmark KSE-100 Index concluded Wednesday's trading session at 150,591.00, showing an increase of 820.26 points or 0.55%. Read more

• PKR remains stable against USD

The Pakistani rupee (PKR) remained stable with a slight increase by 1.23 paisa against the US dollar in Wednesday's interbank session to settle the trade at PKR 281.95 per USD, compared to previous closing of 281.96. Read more

• SECP operationalizes Capital Market Development Fund

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has approved the operationalization of the Capital Market Development Fund (CMDF) along with its Terms of Reference (TORs) to address the immediate development needs of the capital market in line with international best practices. Read more

• Unilever Pakistan's half-year sales rise 15%, profit drops to Rs3bn

Unilever Pakistan Foods Limited (PSX: UPFL) shared its financial results for the six months ended June 30, 2025, and posted a profit after tax of Rs3.09 billion (EPS: Rs484.86), down 18.8% compared to Rs3.9bn (EPS: Rs597.33) in the same period last year. Read more

• 85% of UAE retail investors pile Into local stocks

A whopping 85% of UAE-based retail investors are currently invested in local stocks, and many are buying even more in response to global trade tensions, based on the latest edition of the UAE Retail Investor Beat by trading and investing platform eToro. Read more

• Govt unveils Risk Coverage Scheme to boost agri loans

In a bid to enhance financial access for small and marginalized farmers, the Government of Pakistan has rolled out a new Risk Coverage Scheme for banks and microfinance institutions. Read more

• US firms eye Pakistan’s energy sector

Pakistan and the United States have agreed to expand their partnership in the energy sector by boosting cooperation and investment in oil, gas, and minerals, aimed at unlocking Pakistan’s vast untapped reserves and strengthen bilateral economic ties. Read more

• PCAL sales up 11%, profitability hit with Rs280m loss

Pakistan Cables Limited (PSX: PCAL) reported a loss after tax of Rs280.60 million (LPS: Rs5.15) for the year ended June 30, 2025, compared to a profit of Rs208.86m (EPS: Rs3.84) in the previous year. Read more

• Gold weakens as dollar strength, risk appetite dampen safe-haven demand

Spot gold was down 0.25% at $3,322.88 an ounce as of [11:52 am] PST, according to data reported by Mettis Global Read more

• Torrential rains paralyze Karachi once again

Torrential rains battered Karachi and other parts of southern Sindh on Tuesday, overwhelming the city’s already fragile infrastructure, leaving at least eight people dead. Read more

• $70m FDI flows into power sector

The power sector emerged as the largest recipient of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Pakistan for July 2025, attracting $70 million, which accounted for 34% of total inflows, according to data issued by the Central Bank. Read more

• Pakistan, Iran commit to $10bn trade milestone

Pakistan and Iran have reaffirmed their resolve to achieve the bilateral trade target of $10 billion, with both sides prioritizing agriculture and food security as key drivers of economic cooperation. Read more

• China leads FDI in Pakistan with net inflow of $51m in July

China remained the largest source of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Pakistan during July 2025, contributing $51 million, or 25% of total inflows, despite a steep 39% drop from the same month last year. Read more

• PM’s China visit to mark launch of CPEC Phase-II

Pakistan is set to formally launch Phase-II of the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) during the Prime Minister’s upcoming visit to Beijing, with both sides expected to finalize clear priorities and agree on tangible, measurable outcomes. Read more

• Pakistan records FDI of $208m in July

Pakistan has recorded a value of $208.09m in July, compared to $194.7m in the Same Period Last Year (SPLY), the latest data issued by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) showed. Read more

• International Steels sees profit cut by more than 50% in FY25

International Steels Limited (PSX: ISL) reported a profit after tax of Rs1.56 billion (EPS: Rs3.58) for the year ended June 30, 2025, down 57.3% from Rs3.65bn (EPS: Rs8.40) in the previous year. Read more

• SLG-Trax subsidiary enters fintech space

Logiserve (Pvt.) Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Secure Logistics - Trax Group Limited (SLG-Trax), has received a Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) license from the Securities & Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP). Read more

• ECC approves Rs3.5bn subsidy for RAAST payments

An allocation of Rs3.5 billion through a Technical Supplementary Grant (TSG) for the current financial year to subsidize RAAST QR Code-based person-to-merchant payments, with continuation for three years was approved by Economic Coordination Committee (ECC). Read more

• EPQL secures fuel flexibility with Badar-1 Gas agreement

Engro Powergen Qadirpur Limited (PSX: EPQL) has taken a strategic step to diversify its fuel sources by signing a Supplemental Agreement to its existing Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with the Central Power Purchasing Agency (Guarantee) Limited (CPPA-G). Read more

• Asia markets slide as Japan’s exports slump

Asia-Pacific market dipped on Wednesday which mirrored overnight weakness on Wall Street, as investors digested Japan’s trade figures and China’s decision to keep its benchmark lending rates unchanged. Read more

• Moody’s upgrades ratings of five major Pakistani Banks on improved outlook

Moody’s Ratings on Tuesday upgraded the long-term local and foreign-currency deposit ratings of five major Pakistani banks, citing improved operating conditions, stronger government support capacity, and resilient bank performance. Read more

• NBP issues foreign exchange rates

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

Copyright Mettis Link News