MG Morning Breeze: Updates to Skim before Market

August 26, 2025 (MLN): Morning Breeze aims to lessen the load for its readers by curating noteworthy updates from the preceding day.

• SBP invites applications for First Cohort of Regulatory Sandbox to foster Innovation

SBP invites applications for its first Regulatory Sandbox cohort to promote fintech innovation in remittances, open banking, and merchant onboarding. Read more

• SBP’s May FX intervention stands at $522m

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has made a net FX purchase of $522 million during May 2025, up by $49m from a purchase of $473m in the previous month. Read more

• Govt declares Rs1m grants for AI projects

The government has decided to extend financial support of up to Rs1 million for every Artificial Intelligence (AI) initiative that progresses to the prototype stage. Read more

• U.S. to take nearly 10% stake in Intel under Trump deal

President Donald Trump declared that the U.S. government will acquire nearly 10% of Intel (INTC.O) as part of a deal designed to convert government grants into equity, marking the latest intervention by the White House in corporate America. Read more

• Pakistan receives $695m external financing in July

Pakistan secured external financing worth $694.53 million in July 2025 from multiple financing sources, 12.8% lower than last month and 56.5% higher than the same month last year. Read more

• PSX Closing Bell: Minor Key Day

The benchmark KSE-100 Index concluded Monday's trading session at 148,815.30, showing a decrease of 677.75 points or 0.45%. Read more

• PKR strengthens 3 paisa against USD

The Pakistani rupee (PKR) strengthened by 3.19 paisa or 0.01% against the US dollar in Monday's interbank session to settle the trade at PKR 281.87 per USD, compared to previous closing of 281.90. Read more

• New SECP circular streamlines corporate bank account opening

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), in its drive to promote standardization and uniformity has issued a circular under the Companies Act, 2017, prescribing a Standard Format of Board Resolution for the opening of corporate bank accounts by the companies. Read more

• Oil prices climb as fed rate cut hopes boost demand outlook

Oil prices edged higher on Monday as escalating Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy facilities heightened concerns about potential supply disruptions, while expectations of a U.S. interest rate cut lifted sentiment on global growth and fuel demand. Read more

• Pakistan, Bangladesh end talks with trade, investment MoU

Pakistan and Bangladesh have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the establishment of a Joint Working Group on Trade, aimed at enhancing bilateral trade and investment. Read more

• Singapore prices ease as inflation cools below forecast

Singapore’s inflation cooled to a lower-than-expected 0.6% in July, as the city-state braced for slower growth later this year. Read more

• Gold price in Pakistan remain unchanged

Gold price in Pakistan remained unchanged on Monday, with 24-karat gold being sold at Rs359,800 per tola, unchanged from the previous session. Read more

• World Bank approves $47.9m grant to strengthen primary education in Pakistan

The World Bank has approved a $47.9 million grant to strengthen primary education in Punjab, with a focus on expanding early childhood education, bringing out of school children back into classrooms and enhancing teacher support. Read more

• Ether marks fresh peak since 2021

Ether climbed to a new record of $4,954.81 over the weekend, after hitting an all-time high Friday for the first time since 2021. Read more

• Maqbool Textile Mills approves sale of agricultural land

Maqbool Textile Mills Limited (PSX:MQTM) has approved the sale and transfer of the company’s agricultural land measuring 122 Kanal 4 Marlas and 136 feet to M/s Mehmooda Maqbool Mills Limited. Read more

• Iran extends support to Pakistan amid flood devastation

Iran has offered assistance for the flood-affected people of Pakistan Read more

• Itanz Technologies secures CDC eligibility

Itanz Technologies Limited (PSX: ITANZ) declared that its Board has noted the Company’s achievement of Central Depository Company (CDC) eligibility. Read more

• Gold retreats as traders await U.S. inflation data

Spot gold was down 0.23% at $3,363.76 an ounce as of [10:59 am] PST, according to data reported by Mettis Global. Read more

• Pakistan, Bangladesh deepen ties with pharma deals

Pakistan’s official engagement with Bangladesh took a significant step forward when Federal Minister for Commerce Mr. Jam Kamal Khan visited Square Pharmaceuticals PLC in Dhaka. Read more

• Saudi Riyal available at PKR 75.6 in open market

The current exchange rates for the Saudi Riyal (SAR), UAE Dirham (AED), and Qatari Riyal (QAR) against the Pakistani Rupee (PKR) as of [10 am PST] showed minor movements in today’s session, maintaining a largely stable trend. Read more

• OGDC revives Kunnar-3 well

In a significant step towards boosting domestic energy production, Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (PSX:OGDC) has successfully revived the Kunnar-3 well in the Kunnar Oil Field, which had remained non-operational since 2022. Read more

• Govt unveils Karachi-Lahore bullet train project

The government is planning to introduce a bullet train between Karachi and Lahore by 2030, a landmark initiative under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) that will reduce travel time between the two cities from nearly 20 hours to just five. Read more

• Al-Ghazi Tractors reports half-year loss

Al-Ghazi Tractors Limited (PSX: AGTL) unveiled its profit and loss statement for the half year ended June 30, 2025, reporting a loss after tax of Rs75.15 million [EPS: Rs1.3], compared to a profit of Rs1.73 billion [EPS: Rs29.9] in the same period last year (SPLY). Read more

• NBP issues foreign exchange rates

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

• Next Capital secures SECP’s securities manager license

Next Capital Limited (PSX:NEXT) has been granted a license by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) to act as a Securities Manager under Sections 68 and 69 of the Securities Act, 2015. Read more

• Asia stocks climb on Fed policy easing hopes

Asia-Pacific markets advanced on Monday, tracking Wall Street gains after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell signaled that the central bank could begin easing monetary policy next month in his widely anticipated annual speech in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Read more

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