MG Morning Breeze: Updates to Skim before Market

March 12, 2026 (MLN): Morning Breeze aims to lessen the load for its readers by curating noteworthy updates from the preceding day.

• Govt, banking sector coordinate on evolving economic situation

Amid evolving regional developments and potential economic implications, the government has intensified coordination with the financial sector to ensure stability and uninterrupted banking services across the country. Read more

• Govt accelerates capital market reforms

Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Muhammad Aurangzeb on Wednesday presided over a meeting of the Capital Market Development Council to review progress on reforms aimed at strengthening Pakistan’s capital markets. Read more

• Allied Bank targets over 200 Islamic branches, accelerates digital shift

Allied Bank Limited (PSX: ABL) plans to expand its Islamic banking footprint to more than 200 branches by end of 2026, according to the bank’s latest corporate briefing, organized by Intermarket Securities. Read more

• Riding the Oil Wave

Pakistan’s equity market may be navigating one of its most geopolitically sensitive phases in years, but a new strategy note argues that the sell-off triggered by Middle East tensions could be opening selective investment opportunities. Read more

• Pakistan attracts $5–10bn Chinese investment

China’s Aerospace Development Industry Investment Group has expressed interest in investing $5–10 billion in Pakistan. Read more

• PKR rises slightly against USD

The Pakistani rupee (PKR) gained 1.03 paisa against the US dollar in Wednesday’s interbank session, closing at PKR 279.35 per USD, slightly higher than the previous day’s close of 279.36. Read more

• Gold price in Pakistan rises Rs3,700 per tola

Gold price in Pakistan increased on Wednesday, with 24-karat gold being sold at Rs543,262 per tola, up Rs3,700. Read more

• Highnoon likely to reach Rs1,121 with 54% upside

Highnoon Laboratories Limited has a December 2026 target price of Rs1,121 per share, implying a total return potential of 54.3%, including an expected dividend yield of around 6%, according to Topline Securities Read more

• PSX Closing Bell: A Minor Setback

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) ended Wednesday’s session slightly lower as investors remained cautious following the previous day’s strong rebound, with mixed sectoral performance keeping the benchmark index under mild pressure. Read more

• Quantum Data Technologies enters new line of business

Quantum Data Technologies Limited (PSX: QTECH) has successfully launched a new line of business in Information Technology and Allied Services, a pivotal shift in the company's strategic direction. Read more

• Oversold & Undervalued 8 Top Stocks

A recent brutal sell-off in the KSE-100 has laid bare some of the most compelling valuations seen on the Pakistan Stock Exchange in nearly a decade, and Arif Habib Limited (AHL) is urging investors to act. Read more

• Sapphire Fibres gets court nod for merger with RCML

Sapphire Fibres Limited (PSX:SFL) has received approval from the High Court of Sindh at Karachi for its Scheme of Amalgamation and Merger with Reliance Cotton Spinning Mills Limited (PSX:RCML). Read more

• Saudi Arabia’s Yanbu diversion faces capacity, logistical hurdles

Saudi Arabia is rerouting crude oil exports to its Red Sea port of Yanbu after flows through the Strait of Hormuz were disrupted by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Read more

• LSE Capital eyes Rs100m via Partially Redeemable Shares

LSE Capital Limited is moving to raise PKR100 million through the issuance of Partially Redeemable Shares (PRS), as its board approved amendments to the company’s Memorandum and Articles of Association. Read more

• Easypaisa Bank profit jumps to Rs17bn in 2025

Easypaisa Digital Bank reported a sharp rise in profitability for the year ended December 31, 2025, with Profit after Tax (PAT) increasing to Rs17.04 billion, compared to Rs3.41bn in 2024, according to its audited financial statements approved by the Board of Directors. Read more

• AI brings credit pressure to TMT

Credit risks linked to artificial intelligence (AI) are increasingly concentrated in the technology, media, and telecommunications (TMT) sectors, according to a new Fitch Ratings report. Read more

• SECP licenses LSE Ventures, Wealthbridge

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has granted a license to LSE Ventures Limited to operate as a Corporate Restructuring Company (CRC), while Wealthbridge Management Limited has been licensed to provide Digital Investment Advisory Services. Read more

• NBP issues foreign exchange rates

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

• Oil prices swing on Iran war disrupts global supply

Global oil prices fluctuated sharply on Wednesday as markets reacted to growing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and discussions among major economies about releasing emergency oil reserves to stabilize supply disruptions linked to the ongoing U.S.-Israel war with Iran. Read more

• Pakistan’s 5G spectrum auction paves way for faster connectivity

Pakistan is set to witness a major leap in digital connectivity following the successful auction of the 5G spectrum, a move expected to revolutionize the country’s telecommunications landscape. Read more

• Gold rises on geopolitical risks, U.S. inflation eyed

Gold prices climbed further on Wednesday as a high-stakes collision of geopolitical violence and looming economic data pushed the precious metal deeper into its upward rally. Read more

• Pakistan says it will back Saudi Arabia whenever needed

Pakistan has reaffirmed its commitment to stand firmly with Saudi Arabia whenever required. Read more

• PTC retains AAA long-term, A1+ short-term ratings

VIS Credit Rating Company Limited has reaffirmed the long-term entity rating of ‘AAA’ and the short-term rating of ‘A1+’ of Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PSX:PTC), which reflects the company’s highest credit quality and strongest capacity to meet its financial obligations. Read more

• Raqami Digital Bank earns AA/A1 credit ratings

Raqami Islamic Digital Bank Limited (RIDBL) has secured entity ratings of ‘AA/A1’ (Double A/A One) from VIS Credit Rating Company Limited, showing strong creditworthiness and a stable outlook for the country’s first fully Islamic digital retail bank. Read more

• Asia markets gain while oil prices retreat

Asia markets traded mostly higher on Wednesday as investors monitored developments in the ongoing Middle East conflict while oil prices eased from recent highs. Read more

• Business community raises tax issues with FBR Chairman

Gujranwala Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI) raised key concerns of the business community during a meeting with Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman Rashid Mahmood Langrial, as they highlighted issues related to tax refunds, super tax installments, and other operational challenges affecting businesses. Read more

• KEL reschedules EOGM, expands Board election to 13 directors

K-Electric Limited (PSX:KEL) has rescheduled its Extraordinary General Meeting (EOGM) from March 25 to April 2, 2026, following a directive from the Ministry of Energy (Power Division) and subsequent approval from the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP). Read more

• Jazz acquires 190 MHz spectrum in Pakistan’s latest auction

Jazz has acquired an additional 190 MHz of spectrum in Pakistan’s latest spectrum auction for $239.375 million, significantly expanding its network capacity and reinforcing its long-term investment in the country’s digital infrastructure. Read more

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