MG Morning Breeze: Updates to Skim before Market

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

• SBP reserves nears $16bn

Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves held by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) rose sharply by $1.3 billion, marking an 8.91% week-on-week increase, to reach $15.89 billion during the week ended December 12, 2025, according to data released by the central bank on Thursday. Read more

• PKR remains flat against USD

The Pakistani rupee (PKR) stayed mostly unchanged with a slight increase of 0.91 paisa against the US dollar in Thursday's interbank session to settle the trade at PKR 280.26 per USD, compared to previous closing of 280.27. Read more

• Bank of England cuts rate to 3.75%

The Bank of England cut its benchmark interest rate to 3.75% on Thursday after a closely split vote, marks its final monetary policy decision of 2025 as policymakers weighed easing inflation against a weakening economy. Read more

• World Bank backs Pakistan’s gas sector sustainability drive

Pakistan and the World Bank have reaffirmed their commitment to enhance reforms in the country’s energy sector, with a strong focus on ensuring long-term sustainability of the gas sector and improving sectoral efficiency. Read more

• PSX Closing Bell: Bulls Keep a Foot in the Door

The benchmark KSE-100 Index concluded Thursday's trading session at 171,960.64, showing an increase of 1,646.79 points or 0.97%. Read more

• Govt accelerates drive for digital payments, financial inclusion

Government of Pakistan reaffirmed its commitment to accelerate Pakistan’s transition towards a cashless and digitally enabled economy, with a focus on expanding financial inclusion, strengthened digital payments, and improving access to formal financial services for individuals and small businesses across the country. Read more

• ECC to decide on Rs200bn DISCOs injection, social sector grants

The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) is set to meet today under the chairmanship of Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb. Read more

• Gold price in Pakistan rises Rs2,200 per tola

Gold price in Pakistan increased on Thursday, with 24-karat gold being sold at Rs455,762 per tola, up Rs2,200. Read more

• Pakistan consumer confidence shows strong recovery in Q1 FY2026

Pakistan’s consumer confidence has shown a robust year-on-year recovery and shows improving sentiment among households, according to a tweet by Khurram Schehzad on X. Read more

• Maple Leaf to command over 69% of Pioneer Cement

Maple Leaf Cement Factory Limited (PSX: MLCF) is poised to take firm control of Pioneer Cement Limited, with its total shareholding set to exceed 69%, following a fresh public offer announced today. Read more

• OMO Result: SBP injects around Rs983bn into Market

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) conducted a reverse repo and Shariah Compliant Modarabah based Open Market Operation (OMO) today, in which it cumulatively injected a total of Rs983bn into the market of which Rs661bn were injected through reverse repo OMO. Read more

• Maritime, steel sectors to get major boost with proposed IMIC project

Pakistan is considering a proposed €1–2 billion Integrated Maritime Industrial Complex at Port Qasim that could significantly revive the country’s maritime and heavy industrial sectors. Read more

• Pakistan Railways moves ML-1 project toward execution

Pakistan Railways has finalized an agreement with the Asian Development Bank for the Main Line-1 project marking a major step toward upgrading the country’s main rail corridor linking Karachi with Peshawar. Read more

• SBP raises around Rs445bn in PIB Auction

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has raised Rs444.9 billion through its latest Pakistan Investment Bonds (PIBs) auction held on December 17, 2025, with settlement on December 18. Read more

• Pakistan, EIB Sign €60m deal to upgrade Karachi’s sanitation systems

Pakistan and the European Investment Bank (EIB) have taken a significant step toward upgrading Karachi’s water and sanitation systems by signing a declaration to move forward with a large-scale sewage and wastewater management project. Read more

• Kuwait seeks to broaden investment portfolio in Pakistan

Kuwait is interested in expanding its investment footprint in Pakistan as both countries agreed to deepen cooperation in energy, investment and trade. Read more

• NBP issues foreign exchange rates

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

• Asia markets fall amid AI stock weakness

Asia markets moved sharply lower on Thursday as weakness in U.S. equities spilled into the region and investors continued to pull back from technology shares. Read more

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