MG Morning Breeze: Updates to Skim before Market

February 02, 2026 (MLN): Morning Breeze aims to lessen the load for its readers by curating noteworthy updates from the preceding day.

• World Bank chief explores KPK’s ancient Buddhist treasures

The Jaulian Buddhist archaeological site in Khanpur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, received a high-profile visit from World Bank President Ajay Banga, demonstrating the province’s efforts in preserving and managing its cultural heritage. Read more

• Foreign investors return, net buyers

After several weeks of sustained selling, foreign investors returned to the Pakistan Stock Exchange as net buyers in the latest trading week. Read more

• Petrol price unchanged, diesel rises

The federal government has revised petroleum product prices for the next fortnight, effective February 1, 2026. Read more

• Weekly Market Roundup

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) ended the outgoing week on a decisively bearish note, as the benchmark KSE-100 Index fell 4,992.34 points, or 2.64% WoW, closing at 184,174.49, compared to 189,166.83 at the end of the previous week. Read more

• Pakistan must localize climate finance to strengthen resilience

Climate experts and policymakers have called for greater decentralization of climate governance, urging that local governments be empowered with direct access to finance to strengthen resilience at the community level. Read more

• Key Pakistan Market Stats and Economic Indicators

Weekly roundup of Key Economic releases and market data and statistics Read more

• NAB law set for major amendments

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) law is set for significant changes, with a new bill proposing extendable terms for key officials, a lower investigation threshold, and the introduction of a second appeal to the Federal Constitutional Court against High Court decisions. Read more

• Trump nominates Kevin Warsh to head U.S Fed

U.S President Donald J. Trump has selected Kevin Warsh to serve as the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the U.S Federal Reserve System. Read more

• Petrol likely to hold firm, diesel prices rise

Prices of High-Speed Diesel (HSD) in Pakistan are expected to increase sharply in the upcoming fortnight, while Motor Spirit (MS/petrol) prices are likely to remain broadly unchanged, following a rise in international oil prices and higher diesel market spreads. Read more

• SBP lowers remuneration rate on Special Cash Reserve Account for Feb

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has reduced the rate of remuneration on the Special Cash Reserve Account (US$) to 2.67% for February 2026, down from 2.69% in January 2026 and 2.86% in December 2025 . Read more

• Banks to remain open for Govt tax collection

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has directed branches of all commercial banks nationwide to remain open today, January 31, 2026, to facilitate the collection of government duties and taxes. Read more

• Gold, Silver plunge on Warsh fed pick, dollar surges

Gold and silver prices collapsed logging one of their steepest single-day declines in decades. Read more

• PSX Closing Bell: High Green Notes

The benchmark KSE-100 Index concluded Friday's trading session at 184,174.48, showing an increase of 1,836.36 points or 1.01%. Read more

• IMF steers Pakistan toward stability, export-led expansion

Pakistan is actively negotiating with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to design a strategy aimed at accelerating economic growth, following the country’s successful stabilization through stringent fiscal and monetary measures. Read more

• Pakistan-KSA ties gain momentum with focus on energy, minerals

Pakistan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations, with a focus on expanding cooperation in the energy and minerals sectors and enhancing economic partnership between the two countries Read more

• PKR rises by 3 paisa against USD

The Pakistani rupee (PKR) appreciated by 2.91 paisa against the US dollar in Friday's interbank session to settle the trade at PKR 279.77 per USD, compared to previous closing of 279.80. Read more

• ITANZ Technologies urges conversion of physical shares to book entry

ITANZ Technologies Limited (PSX:ITANZ) has reminded shareholders holding physical shares to convert them into book-entry form in compliance with regulatory requirements. Read more

• Pakistan strengthens corporate dispute resolution

Pakistan is advancing efforts to improve corporate dispute resolution and strengthen investor confidence through enhanced early and out-of-court mechanisms. Read more

• Mari Minerals, MSALABS to set up joint venture assay laboratory

Mari Energies Limited's (PSX: MARI) wholly owned subsidiary, Mari Minerals (Private) Limited, has entered into a Joint Venture Agreement with MSALABS Limited, a Canada-headquartered company, for the establishment and operation of a full-service assay laboratory in Pakistan. Read more

• Capital market reforms move toward broader debt financing

Efforts to deepen Pakistan’s capital markets, expand debt financing beyond banks and lower intermediation costs are being aligned under a broader, system wide reform agenda led by the Finance Division in coordination with market regulators. Read more

• Meezan Bank invited to share expertise on risk sharing finance

Meezan Bank, Pakistan’s leading Islamic bank and one of the largest banks in the country, engaged with Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), the Central Bank of Malaysia, under a focused knowledge-sharing initiative on risk-sharing finance. Read more

• OMO Result: SBP injects Rs13.6tr 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 Rs13.62 trillion into the market of which Rs13.2tr were injected through reverse repo OMO. Read more

• Weekly SPI decreases by 0.03%

Pakistan's short-term inflation, measured by the Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI), decreased by 0.03% for the week ended January 29, 2026, according to the latest data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). Read more

• Fauji Cement, KAPCO in pact to buy Attock Cement

Fauji Cement Company Limited (PSX: FCCL) and Kot Addu Power Company Limited (PSX: KAPKO) have entered into a share purchase agreement to jointly acquire a controlling stake in Attock Cement Pakistan Limited, according to disclosures filed with the Pakistan Stock Exchange on Friday. Read more

• Pakistan sees Rs35,500 per tola fall in gold prices

Gold price in Pakistan decreased on Friday, with 24-karat gold being sold at Rs537,362 per tola, down Rs35,500. Read more

• SCRA balance slides Rs2.06bn

The SCRA balance decreased by Rs2.06 billion during the week ending Jan 23, 2026 to close at Rs.35.05bn. Read more

• Refinance rate cut to 4.5%, industrial power tariffs lowered

Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Thursday announced a reduction in the refinance rate by 300 basis points, bringing it down to 4.5% from 7.5%, as part of measures aimed at supporting economic activity and easing financing costs. Read more

• Pakistan, China exports rise with salt 20% higher, rice $62m

Pakistan’s exports of salt and rice to China saw substantial growth in 2025, demonstrating strengthened bilateral trade in agricultural and mineral products. Read more

• Gold dips from record peak amid profit-taking

Gold prices retreated on profit booking following a historic rally, though the precious metal remains poised for its strongest monthly performance in decades amid ongoing economic and geopolitical uncertainties. Read more

• Mashreq Bank receives 'AA' long term rating from PACRA

Pakistan Credit Rating Agency (PACRA) has assigned initial entity ratings of AA (Long Term) and A1 (Short Term) to Mashreq Bank Pakistan Limited (MBPL), with a Stable Outlook, based on the Bank’s strong sponsor backing, solid capital base, and robust digital infrastructure. Read more

• Pak-Qatar Takaful IPO sees historic demand

The response to Pak-Qatar General Takaful Limited (PQGTL)’s Initial Public Offering (IPO) has been exceptional. Read more

• Pakistan–Bangladesh direct flights resume after 14 years

Direct flight operations between Pakistan and Bangladesh resumed on Wednesday after a 14-year hiatus, with Biman Bangladesh Airlines launching its inaugural flight from Dhaka to Karachi. Read more

• Pakistan makes record repayment of Rs3.6tr in domestic debt

Pakistan has repaid more than Rs3.65tr in domestic debt ahead of maturity since late 2024, a shift in how the government is managing its liabilities. Read more

• OMO announcement

Read more

• Pakistan pitches export-led growth at Gulfood

Pakistan stepped up its export drive at Gulfood 2026 as Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal visited the country’s pavilion. Read more

• Pakistan, Egypt boost partnership in health initiatives

Pakistan and Egypt have agreed to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in the health sector, focused on pharmaceuticals, capacity building, and collaboration at international health platforms. Read more

• NBP issues foreign exchange rates

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

• Asia markets trade mixed, metals retreat

Asia markets traded on a mixed note on Friday, weighing an imminent decision on the next U.S. Federal Reserve chair alongside sharp profit-taking in precious metals. Read more

• SLG-Trax gets green light for FinTech leap

The shareholders of Secure Logistics – Trax Group Limited have overwhelmingly approved the company’s proposed acquisition of a FinTech software intellectual property suite. Read more

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