MG Morning Breeze: Updates to Skim before Market

November 04, 2025 (MLN): Morning Breeze aims to lessen the load for its readers by curating noteworthy updates from the preceding day.

• Saleem Zia takes charge as Chairman State Life Insurance Board

The Federal Government has appointed former Senator Saleem Zia, a member of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), as the Chairman of the Board of Directors (BoD) of the State Life Insurance Corporation of Pakistan (SLIC), according to a notification issued by the Ministry of Commerce. Read more

• Pakistan sees retail payment boom with 9.1bn transactions in FY25

Retail payments in Pakistan registered robust growth, reaching 9.1 bn transactions worth Rs 612 trillion during FY2024-25, marking a 38 % increase in volume and 12 % in value year-on-year, according to the State Bank of Pakistan’s annual report on payment systems. Read more

• Zong partners with Botnostic Solutions to bring AI-powered HR tools

Zong, Pakistan’s leading information services and technology innovation company, has entered into a strategic partnership with Botnostic Solutions, a recognized provider of AI-driven recruitment and career advisory platforms. Read more

• Pakistan’s short-term FX liabilities holds steady at $32bn

Due to maturing foreign currency loans, securities, and deposits, Pakistan's foreign currency assets are expected to see a net outflow of $32.07bn, according to the latest liquidity report released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). Read more

• Pakistan eyes inclusive growth at UN social summit in Doha

Pakistan will take part in the Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha, beginning Tuesday, under the auspices of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Read more

• PKR remains flat against USD

The Pakistani rupee (PKR) increased by 0.95 paisa against the US dollar in Monday's interbank session to settle the trade at PKR 280.90 per USD, compared to previous closing of 280.91. Read more

• PSX Closing Bell: Smooth Sailing

The benchmark KSE-100 Index concluded Monday's trading session at 162,803.15, showing an increase of 1,171.42 points or 0.72%. Read more

• October inflation rises by 6.2%

Pakistan’s headline Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rose to 6.2% year-on-year (YoY) in October 2025, up from 5.6% in September 2025, the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) reported today. Read more

• Saudi Pak Consultancy reports over Rs200m in recoveries and settlements

Saudi Pak Consultancy Company Limited (PSX: SPCL), formerly Saudi Pak Leasing Company Limited, has reported recoveries and settlements exceeding Rs200 million during the period July 2024 to September 2025, marking a major turnaround. Read more

• Hi-Tech Lubricants partners with JazzCash to enable cashless payments at fuel stations

Hi-Tech Lubricants Limited (HTL) has entered into a strategic partnership with JazzCash, one of Pakistan’s leading digital financial service providers, to enhance digital payment accessibility across the country. Read more

• US-APAC trade deals lift Asia’s export outlook

A recent series of bilateral trade agreements between the United States and multiple Asia-Pacific (APAC) countries has reduced uncertainty for exporters in the region, potentially providing a modest lift to GDP growth over the next few years. Read more

• CCP recommends establishment of Steel Ministry, policy overhaul

The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has called for the establishment of a dedicated Steel Ministry and the formulation of a national steel policy to address deep-rooted structural and competition-related challenges facing the country’s steel industry. Read more

• Fauji Cement and KAPCO to acquire 84% of Attock Cement

Fauji Cement Company Limited and Kot Addu Power Company Limited will jointly acquire 84.06% of the total issued and paid-up capital of Attock Cement Pakistan Limited. Read more

• Gold price in Pakistan rises Rs1,300 per tola

Gold price in Pakistan increased on Monday, with 24-karat gold being sold at Rs423,862 per tola, up Rs1,300. Read more

• Green Maritime corridor to transform Pakistan steel industry

Pakistan is set to save $13 billion over the next decade with the establishment of the country’s first Sea-to-Steel Green Maritime Industrial Corridor, a landmark initiative aimed at reviving Pakistan Steel Mills and transforming the nation’s industrial and maritime landscape. Read more

• Pakistan, Türkiye move to deepen trade and economic cooperation

Pakistan and Türkiye have agreed to enhance bilateral trade and economic cooperation, reaffirming their commitment to deepening economic ties and exploring new avenues for collaboration. Read more

• Govt charts 100-Year maritime roadmap with new coastal complex

Pakistan government has unveiled a century-long roadmap to transform itself into a major global maritime hub under an ambitious framework titled “Pakistan’s Maritime Century (2047–2147)”, which includes the establishment of a state-of-the-art Integrated Maritime Complex and a Rs12 billion upgrade of Gaddani’s ship recycling facilities along the Balochistan coast. Read more

• Oil climbs after OPEC+ freezes output for Q1 2026

Oil prices edged higher in early Asian trade on Monday after OPEC+ informed it would delay planned production increases during the first quarter of 2026, easing market concerns about a potential supply glut. Read more

• Hubco achieves project completion for Thar power plants

The lenders of Thar Energy Limited (TEL) and ThalNova Power Thar (Private) Limited (TN) declare the occurrence of Project Completion Date (PCD) of the 2x330MW power plants on October 31, 2025, in accordance with their project financing documents. Read more

• China, U.S. ease tensions as Xi assures Trump on Taiwan

China and the United States appeared to strike a calmer tone in their relations over the weekend, with signs of progress on trade and assurances over Taiwan helping soothe market jitters in Asia. Read more

• SNGP ends FY25 with lower profit amid tariff headwinds

Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (PSX: SNGP) revealed its financial results for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2025, reporting a profit after tax of Rs14.59 billion, marking a 23% decline from Rs18.98bn recorded in the previous fiscal year. Read more

• Gold holds ground near $4,000 amid softer safe-haven demand

Gold prices held near the flat line on Monday as a firmer U.S. dollar and reduced expectations for additional Federal Reserve rate cuts limited demand for the metal, while easing trade tensions between Washington and Beijing further dampened safe-haven appeal. Read more

• Asia markets mixed as China’s factory activity slows

Asia markets opened the week on a mixed note Monday, as investors digested fresh manufacturing data from China following a positive session on Wall Street last Friday. Read more

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