MG Morning Breeze: Updates to Skim before Market

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

• Punjab launches fully digital public transport permit system

Punjab’s public transport route permit system has been fully digitalized and integrated with the SECP’s insurance repository, enabling digital verification of third-party motor insurance. Read more

• SBP empowers youth with independent banking framework

SBP has unveiled a pioneering framework that allows teenagers in Pakistan to independently own and operate bank accounts and digital wallets, a move aimed at fostering financial literacy and responsibility from a young age. Read more

• International gasoil prices retreat after March spike

International gasoil (High-Speed Diesel) prices tumbled sharply on Wednesday, shedding $82 per barrel in a single day as de-escalation shows from both Washington and Tehran eased the war premium that had driven fuel costs to historic highs over the past month. Read more

• Govt unveils plan for Pakistan Maritime Energy City to boost energy trade

The government is planning to establish the Pakistan Maritime Energy City (PMEC), an ambitious initiative aimed at meeting domestic and international energy storage and re-export needs while positioning Pakistan as a regional hub for energy logistics. Read more

• Waziristan well boosts national gas supply

The Spinwam-1 exploratory well in the Waziristan Joint Venture (WJV) has commenced production, adding 40m standard cubic feet per day (MMSCFD) of gas and 200 barrels per day (BBL/D) of condensate to Pakistan’s national gas network. Read more

• Pakistan, Norway sign carbon market deal under Paris agreement

Pakistan has signed its first-ever bilateral agreement under Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement with Norway, which marks a major step into global carbon markets and opening avenues for climate finance, clean energy investment, and sustainable development. Read more

• Gold rebounds on softer dollar, easing Iran tensions

Gold prices edged higher on Wednesday, reaching close to a two-week peak, as a softer U.S. dollar and declining Treasury yields provided support to the market. Read more

• HBL Manufacturing PMI slows in early signs of US-Iran War

The HBL Pakistan Manufacturing PMI fell to 52.9 in March from 53.6 in February, pointing to easing manufacturing conditions in nascent signs of the US-Iran war’s toll on Pakistan’s economy. Read more

• SBP revokes authorization of Al Sahara Exchange Company

The authorization of M/s Al Sahara Exchange Company (Pvt.) Ltd to operate in the foreign exchange business has been revoked, according to a press release by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). Read more

• PSX hits 157,000 high, up 8.6k points in a day

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) witnessed a powerful rally on Wednesday, with the benchmark KSE-100 Index posting substantial gains amid strong investor confidence, improved global sentiment, and aggressive buying across key sectors. Read more

• PKR strengthens 3.25 paisa vs USD

The Pakistani rupee (PKR) edged up by 3.25 paisa, or 0.01%, against the US dollar in Wednesday’s interbank session, closing at PKR 279.12 per USD, compared to the previous close of 279.15. Read more

• Geopolitical shock wipes over 19,000 points off KSE-100 in March

The Pakistan Stock Exchange’s benchmark KSE-100 Index recorded its worst monthly performance in six years in March 2026, plunging by 19,319 points, or 11.5%, to close at 148,743. Read more

• SECP set for major reforms

The Prime Minister has established a high-level committee to implement comprehensive reforms in the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), with the first meeting chaired by Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar. Read more

• Dubai, Oman crude slide over 10%

Middle East crude benchmarks witnessed a sharp decline on Tuesday, with Oman Crude Oil traded via the Gulf Mercantile Exchange at the Singapore MOC falling to around $107 per barrel, down over 13% on the day. Read more

• March inflation rises by 7.3%

Pakistan's headline Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation increased to 7.3% year-on-year (YoY) in March 2026, up from 7% in February 2026. Read more

• Pakistan’s digital economy could hit 7% of GDP by 2030

Pakistan’s digital economy has the potential to contribute 5–7% to the country’s GDP by 2030 if structural challenges are addressed and key reforms are accelerated, according to the OICCI Digital Report 2025. Read more

• Government, IFC explore private sector investment, local currency financing

The Government of Pakistan is working to scale private sector investment, promote local currency financing, and develop a stronger pipeline of bankable projects to support sustainable economic growth. Read more

• Pakistan goes 5G: Zong introduces high-speed network

Zong has officially introduced commercial 5G services across more than 16 cities in Pakistan including Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, and Quetta marked a transformative milestone in the country's digital journey. Read more

• Gold price in Pakistan rises Rs15,300 per tola

Gold price in Pakistan increased on Wednesday, with 24-karat gold being sold at Rs494,062 per tola, up Rs15,300. Read more

• OMO Result: SBP injects around Rs1.5tr 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 Rs1.5trillion into the market, of which Rs1.15tr were injected through reverse repo OMO. Read more

• Pakistan’s short-term FX liabilities holds steady at $31bn

Due to maturing foreign currency loans, securities, and deposits, Pakistan's foreign currency assets are expected to see a net outflow of $31.23bn, according to the latest liquidity report released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). Read more

• BankIslami accelerates into the future with digital, SME, Agri focus

BankIslami Pakistan Limited is looking beyond a tough 2025 with a forward-looking strategy anchored in low-cost deposit growth and sectoral financing diversification. Read more

• Lucky Motor ties up with China's GAC Group

Lucky Motor Corporation Limited (LMC), a subsidiary of Lucky Cement Limited (PSX:LUCK) has entered into an exclusive partnership with GAC Group, a Fortune 500 company ranked #1 in the JD Power China Quality Survey, a significant milestone in the Pakistani automotive sector. Read more

• PSX halts trading after KSE‑100, KSE‑30 climb over 5%

The benchmark KSE-100 Index climbed sharply on Wednesday, gaining 7,461.58 points (5.02%) to reach an intraday high of 156,233.38. The index touched a low of 151,262.76 (+2,519.45) points, with total trading volume at 228.25 million shares. Read more

• DIIL confirms no shariah-based banking relationships

Diamond Industries Limited (PSX: DIIL) has clarified to the Pakistan Stock Exchange that the company maintains no relationship with any bank having Shariah-based operations or operating through Islamic windows, with the disclosure already incorporated in Note 31 of its Annual Audited Financial Statements for the year ended June 30, 2025. Read more

• STL finalizes GEMSPNL merger, issues 107m shares

Supernet Technologies Limited (PSX: STL) has successfully completed a key stage in its corporate reorganization, issuing over 107 million ordinary shares following the merger of Supernet Limited (GEMSPNL) into STL, according to a disclosure submitted to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX). Read more

• PKGP swings to loss in CY25

Pakgen Power Limited (PSX: PKGP) reported a severe financial downturn for the year ended December 31, 2025, swinging to a net loss of Rs333.08m compared to a massive net profit of Rs4.47bn in the previous year. Read more

• Lalpir Power board proposes business shift, company name change

The Board of Directors of Lalpir Power Limited (PSX: LPL) has recommended several significant matters for approval by the company's shareholders. Read more

• Mari Energies starts production at Spinwam-1, Waziristan Block

Mari Energies Limited (PSX:MARI) has begun gas and condensate production from its Spinwam-1 discovery in the Waziristan Block, KP Province, under the Extended Well Testing (EWT) phase. Read more

• Lalpir Power plunges into the red with loss in CY25

Lalpir Power Limited (PSX: LPL) reported a massive downturn for the year ended 2025, swinging to a net loss of Rs815.82m compared to a net profit of Rs464.79m in the previous year. Read more

• India’s rupee slips toward 100 per dollar on oil price spike

India’s currency is facing mounting downside risks, with the rupee potentially weakening to the psychologically critical 100-per-dollar level if elevated oil prices persist amid the ongoing Iran conflict, according to Bloomberg. Read more

• Inflation projected at 8.5% in March

Inflation is projected to remain within the range of 7.5–8.5 % for March 2026, which signals a relatively stable price outlook even as Pakistan navigates rising global oil prices and heightened geopolitical tensions. 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

• Standard Chartered expands women in tech programme

Standard Chartered, in collaboration with Village Capital and InnoVentures Global, has unveiled the eighth cohort of its Women in Tech Pakistan Accelerator, continuing its long-term push to support women entrepreneurs in the country’s technology ecosystem. Read more

• Asia markets climb on geopolitical relief hopes

Asia markets staged a strong rebound on Wednesday after remarks from Donald Trump fueled optimism that the ongoing tensions involving Iran could ease in the near term. Read more

• PSX Opening Bell: Green Lights All Around

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) opened Wednesday’s session on a strong note, extending its recovery from the previous day, with the benchmark KSE-100 Index trading firmly in positive territory during early hours. Read more

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