MG Morning Breeze: Updates to Skim before Market

December 31, 2025 (MLN): Morning Breeze aims to lessen the load for its readers by curating noteworthy updates from the preceding day.

• Banks to extend hours on Dec 31 for tax payments

All commercial banks are to remain open for extended hours until 10:00pm on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, to facilitate the collection of government duties and taxes, according to a press released by SBP's Extrnal Communication Department. Read more

• Pakistan’s GDP rises 3.71% in Q1FY26

Pakistan’s GDP grew by 3.71% in the first quarter of 2025-26, marking a 2.15% increase compared to the corresponding quarter of 2024-25. Read more

• CCP steps up crackdown on deceptive marketing in 2025

The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) significantly stepped-up enforcement during 2025, cracked down on deceptive marketing practices across real estate, consumer goods, automobiles, education, cosmetics, and agricultural machinery to protect consumers and ensure fair competition. Read more

• Banks, SBP closed to public on January 1

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) will be closed for public dealings on Thursday, January 1, 2026, in observance of a bank holiday. Read more

• PKR remains flat against USD

The Pakistani rupee (PKR) gained by 0.87 paisa or 0.00% against the US dollar in Tuesday's interbank session to settle the trade at PKR 280.15 per USD, compared to previous closing of 280.16. Read more

• PSX Closing Bell: Bulls Take a Step Forward

The benchmark KSE-100 Index concluded Tuesday's trading session at 174,472.79, showing an increase of 576.45 points or 0.33%. Read more

• Pakistan introduces first Skills Impact Bond

Pakistan has put in place its first private-capital-funded Skills Impact Bond, backed by a Rs1bn guarantee from the Ministry of Finance. Read more

• Gold price in Pakistan falls Rs10,700 per tola

Gold price in Pakistan decreased on Tuesday, with 24-karat gold being sold at Rs459,462 per tola, down Rs10,700. Read more

• M2 rises by Rs68bn in a week

Broad money (M2), the most widely used measure of money supply in Pakistan, rose by Rs68.08 billion WoW to Rs40.82 trillion as of December 19, 2025, data released by State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) showed. Read more

• Mirpurkhas Sugar Mills to sell Cherat stakes

Mirpurkhas Sugar Mills Limited (PSX: MIRKS) has approved the disposal of its shareholdings in Cherat Cement Company Limited and Cherat Packaging Limited as part of efforts to reduce debt and improve liquidity. Read more

• Govt retires Rs158bn debt in a week

The government of Pakistan has retired a debt of Rs158.01 billion during the week ended December 19, 2025, which brings its total net retirement for ongoing fiscal year 2026 to Rs305.13bn, according to the central bank's weekly estimates. Read more

• Big Bird Foods goes solar

Big Bird Foods Limited (PSX: BBFL) has installed a 3-megawatt (MW) solar power system at its production facility, which is now fully operational and has commenced electricity generation. Read more

• Pak Qatar Family Takaful debuts on PSX tomorrow

Pak Qatar Family Takaful Limited will commence trading on its Main Board starting Wednesday, December 31, 2025, with settlement on a T+2 basis, and make the first settlement date Friday, January 2, 2026. Read more

• Retail payment volumes reach 2.8bn in Q1FY26

Retail payment activity in Pakistan climbed to 2.8bn transactions in the first quarter of FY26, with digital channels accounting for 90% of total volumes, showing the accelerating shift toward mobile and app-based banking. Read more

• Gammon Pakistan adopts cautious approach

Gammon Pakistan Limited (PSX: GAMON) has disclosed that its business operations remained suspended during the quarter ended September 30, 2025, with no new projects undertaken during the period. Read more

• PBA contextualizes ADR, IDR trends, urges reforms

The Pakistan Banks Association (PBA) has responded to recent media reports on the banking sector and emphasized that some coverage relying on outdated statistics provides an incomplete picture of current performance. Read more

• Gold recovers from recent pullback

Gold prices made a strong comeback on Tuesday, reversed a 14 day slump caused by year-end profit-taking that pulled precious metals lower from their recent highs. Read more

• Merged PSX settlement set for Dec 30–31 trades

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) disclosed a merged clearing and settlement schedule for trades executed on December 30 and December 31, 2025, owing to a bank holiday on Thursday, January 1, 2026. Read more

• PTA reports 8% growth in local mobile manufacturing in Nov 2025

Pakistan’s local mobile phone manufacturing and assembly showed signs of recovery in November 2025, according to the latest data released by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). Read more

• Meezan Bank elevates Dr. Syed Amir Ali to President, CEO

Meezan Bank Limited (PSX:MEBL) has entered a new phase of leadership as Dr. Syed Amir Ali formally assumes charge as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective December 30, 2025. Read more

• NBP issues foreign exchange rates

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

• Pakistan’s Sukuk market transitions from growth to green in 2025

Pakistan marked a major milestone in Islamic finance in 2025 as the Ministry of Finance (MoF), through its Debt Management Office and in collaboration with Joint Financial Advisors, completed the largest Sukuk issuance ever recorded in a single year, exceeding Rs2 trillion. Read more

• Asia markets edge lower amid AI sell-off concerns

Asia markets traded mostly lower on Tuesday, extending losses after a renewed sell-off in U.S. technology stocks fueled concerns over a potential artificial intelligence bubble. Read more

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