MG Morning Breeze: Updates to Skim before Market

March 30, 2026 (MLN): Morning Breeze aims to lessen the load for its readers by curating noteworthy updates from the preceding day.

• Pakistan to hold key talks with Saudi, Türkiye, Egypt FMs

The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Egypt will visit Islamabad from March 29 to March 30, 2026, for consultations. Read more

• Weekly Market Roundup

Pakistan’s equity market remained under pressure during the outgoing week, as the benchmark KSE-100 Index closed at 151,707.52, compared to 152,740.38 recorded on March 20, 2026. Read more

• Key Pakistan Market Stats and Economic Indicators

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

• Pakistan ready to hike rates if inflation bites, IMF says

Pakistan’s central bank stands prepared to raise interest rates if inflation pressures intensify, the International Monetary Fund said. Read more

• Pakistan locks in $1.21bn IMF lifeline

Pakistan has unlocked about $1.21 billion in fresh funding after reaching a staff-level agreement with the International Monetary Fund, including $1.0 billion (SDR 760 million) under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and $210 million (SDR 154 million) under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF). Read more

• Govt keeps petrol, diesel prices steady

The government has decided to keep petrol and high-speed diesel prices unchanged, despite recommendations for a substantial increase, in a move aimed at providing relief to consumers amid rising inflation. Read more

• Pakistan ports near annual transshipment in just 24 days

In a significant economic development, Pakistan is rapidly emerging as a preferred global transshipment hub. A record-breaking surge in transshipment activities at Karachi Port, Port Qasim, and Gwadar Port signals a transformative shift in the region's trade landscape. Read more

• PSX Closing Bell: A Rough Ride for Bulls

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) witnessed another volatile session on Friday, with the benchmark KSE-100 Index extending its losses amid cautious investor sentiment driven by security concerns and lingering geopolitical uncertainty. Read more

• Finvolution expands digital finance footprint in Pakistan

Pakistan’s digital financial services sector is set to receive a boost as China’s Finvolution Group, along with its local subsidiary Finleap Financial Services (Pvt.) Ltd., plans to expand operations in the country. Read more

• ECB chief warns markets are underestimating Iran-USA conflict fallout

The president of the European Central Bank (ECB), Christine Lagarde has cautioned that global financial markets may be far too optimistic about the economic impact of the ongoing Iran conflict, suggesting that the path back to stability could take years rather than months. Read more

• SCRA drops Rs1.34bn amid heavy foreign outflows

The SCRA balance decreased by Rs1.34bn during the week ending Mar 20, 2026 to close at Rs37.62bn. Read more

• Danish Elahi raises stake in Al-Shaheer Corporation Limited

Danish Elahi has significantly increased his stake in Al-Shaheer Corporation Limited (PSX: ASC), acquiring 14.3 million voting shares in November 2025, according to a revised disclosure filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) this week. Read more

• Govt confirms stable fuel supply, moves towards targeted subsidy plan

The government has confirmed that petroleum product supplies across the country remain stable and sufficient, while moving forward with plans to introduce a targeted subsidy mechanism using technological solutions under tight fiscal constraints. Read more

• DOL to shut down plant for routine maintenance

Descon Oxychem Limited (PSX:DOL) will take its production facility offline for scheduled turnaround maintenance beginning March 29, 2026, with operations expected to resume by April 14, 2026. Read more

• PICT discloses offshore ownership change

Pakistan International Container (PSX:PICT) has disclosed that ICTSI Ltd. (Bermuda) has transferred its shareholding in InnoVest Mauritius Limited to Sea Link Group Ltd (Seychelles), in a transaction taking place at the level of foreign holding entities. Read more

• PKR strengthens slightly sgainst USD

The Pakistani rupee (PKR) posted a slight gain against the US dollar in Friday’s interbank trading, appreciating by 2.87 paisa to close at 279.17 per USD, compared to the previous close of 279.20. Read more

• FBR steps in to clear tax refund delays in Karachi

Delays in tax refunds and procedural bottlenecks affecting Karachi’s business community are set to be addressed following directives from the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to its Karachi offices to expedite resolution of long-standing issues. Read more

• Gold price in Pakistan falls Rs1,000 per tola

Gold price in Pakistan decreased on Friday, with 24-karat gold being sold at Rs467,262 per tola, down Rs1,000. Read more

• OMO Result: SBP injects Rs15tr 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 Rs15.01trillion into the market, of which Rs14.36tr were injected through reverse repo OMO. Read more

• Pakistan strengthens economic ties with France amid reforms

Pakistan is actively working to safeguard macroeconomic stability and advance structural reforms while strengthening international partnerships. Read more

• Oil could hit $200/bbl if Iran, USA conflict drags on

Oil prices could surge to an unprecedented $200 per barrel if the ongoing conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran continues into June and keeps the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed, according to Macquarie Group. Read more

• POL gas flow surges at Kohat well

Pakistan Oilfields Limited (PSX: POL) reported successful appraisal of gas and condensate from the Lumshiwal Formation in the Bilitang-1 ST-1 exploratory well, located in district Kohat. Read more

• Govt sets 25% growth target for Kharif crops

Pakistan has set an ambitious target to increase Kharif crop production by 25% as part of a broader push to transform its agriculture sector and strengthen food security. Read more

• Govt reallocates Rs100bn to curb oil prices

The Pakistan government has reallocated Rs100 billion from its national development budget to a newly established austerity fund to buffer consumers against rising international oil prices triggered by instability in the Gulf region. Read more

• Iran-USA conflict could cut global growth by 0.8%

An extended Iran conflict lasting through the first half of 2026 would weigh heavily on the global economy, with higher oil prices and declining equity markets emerging as the key drivers of the downturn, according to Fitch Ratings. Read more

• Weekly SPI increases by 0.97%

Pakistan's short-term inflation, measured by the Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI), increased by 0.97% for the week ended March 26, 2026, according to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). Read more

• Oil retreats amid Hormuz relief

Global oil prices edged lower on Friday after signs of limited easing in geopolitical tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz helped calm immediate supply concerns. Read more

• Why the US-Iran conflict faces a dangerous stalemate

Sending shockwaves through the global economy, the United States and Israeli attack on Iran has triggered the largest energy supply disruption in history. 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 slide on Iran US tensions

Asia markets traded lower on Friday, mirroring losses on Wall Street after a volatile overnight session, as uncertainty over a potential Middle East peace agreement continued to cloud investor sentiment. Read more

• OGDC-led consortium appraises gas discovery in TAL Block

Oil & Gas Development Company Limited (PSX: OGDC), along with its joint venture partners, has appraised an existing gas discovery at the Bilitang-1 ST-1 exploratory well in the TAL Block, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Read more

• Calcorp rebrands as ARM Green Industries

Calcorp Limited (PSX: CASH) will undergo a name and symbol change, reflecting a shift in corporate identity. Read more

• Govt advances SOE reforms

The government moved ahead with restructuring state-owned enterprises and strengthening governance as it approved multiple board-level appointments while deferring key regulatory relief sought by energy firms. Read more

Copyright Mettis Link News