MG Morning Breeze: Updates to Skim before Market

April 22, 2026 (MLN): Morning Breeze aims to lessen the load for its readers by curating noteworthy updates from the preceding day.

• Govt links export growth to skills development, e-commerce

The government has emphasized that Pakistan can significantly boost its exports by combining skills development, e-commerce integration, and gradual formalization of the economy, while ensuring a level playing field for compliant businesses. Read more

• Pakistan's total POL imports climb 4% MoM

Pakistan's petroleum, oil and lubricants (POL) import volumes rose 4% month-on-month (MoM) to 1.34 million metric tonnes (MT) in March 2026, broadly flat on a year-on-year (YoY) basis. Read more

• PSX Closing Bell: Gains Hold Firm

Stocks at the Pakistan Stock Exchange closed higher on Tuesday, with the benchmark KSE-100 Index extending gains as improved external inflows and easing global oil prices lifted investor sentiment. Read more

• PKR advances again, sustains recovery trend

The Pakistani rupee (PKR) continued its upward trajectory against the US dollar, posting gains in Tuesday’s interbank session and extending its ongoing appreciation trend. Read more

• PTC returns to profit in Q1FY26

Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PSX: PTC) staged a massive financial turnaround for the first quarter (three months) ended March 31, 2026, posting a consolidated net profit of Rs3.07bn. Read more

• Pakistan eyes deeper EU engagement

Pakistan and the European Union have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral economic relations, with Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb pointing to the country's recent return to international capital markets as a key indicator of improving economic fundamentals. Read more

• Govt borrows Rs232bn debt in a week

The government of Pakistan has acquired an additional debt of Rs232.17 billion during the week ended April 10, 2026, which brings its total net borrowing for ongoing fiscal year 2026 to Rs1.01 trillion, according to the central bank's weekly estimates. Read more

• M2 falls by Rs427bn in a week

Broad money (M2), the most widely used measure of money supply in Pakistan, dropped by Rs426.75 billion WoW to Rs42.33 trillion as of April 10, 2026, data released by State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) showed. Read more

• AGIC plans restructuring of AskTech

Askari General Insurance Company Limited (PSX: AGIC) has initiated a potential restructuring of its wholly owned subsidiary, AskTech (Pvt.) Ltd., as the company looks to reassess its group structure and operational strategy. Read more

• PRL swings to massive Rs12bn profit

Pakistan Refinery Limited (PSX: PRL) reported a monumental financial turnaround for the nine months ended March 31, 2026, swinging from a net loss of Rs4.59bn to a staggering net profit of Rs12.08bn. Read more

• Islamic syndications surpass dollar sukuk

Islamic syndicated financing is expected to continue gaining momentum through 2026, as issuers in key markets increasingly steer away from public US dollar sukuk and bond markets amid geopolitical tensions linked to the Iran conflict, according to a Fitch Ratings report. Read more

• Matco Foods shifts Gujranwala assets to Falak Foods

Matco Foods Limited (PSX: MFL) has approved a restructuring transaction involving the transfer of its operational assets in Gujranwala to its wholly-owned subsidiary, Falak Foods Ltd., as part of a broader internal consolidation strategy. Read more

• SECP tightens UBO rules to meet IMF condition

Pakistan is stepping up efforts to meet International Monetary Fund (IMF) governance benchmarks by tightening oversight of corporate ownership structures and moving against anonymous company setups. Read more

• Chashma Sugar begins Ethanol Plant upgrade at DI Khan unit

Chashma Sugar Mills Limited (PSX: CHAS) has initiated a modernization program for its plant and machinery, including the installation of molecular sieves at its ethanol fuel facility in Ramak, Dera Ismail Khan. Read more

• SBP plans to raise Rs979bn through PFL, MTB buyback auctions

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) plans to raise a combined Rs979 billion through buyback auctions for Pakistan Investment Bond Floating Rate (PFL) and Market Treasury Bills (MTB), to be conducted through the PRISM+ system. Read more

• Mitchells completes Rs500m rights issue, awaits PSX approval

Mitchells Fruit Farms Limited (PSX: MFL) has confirmed full subscription of its rights issue, totalling Rs500 million, and has formally requested a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) to facilitate the release of proceeds to designated intermediaries. Read more

• Gold price in Pakistan falls Rs1,000 per tola

Gold price in Pakistan decreased on Tuesday, with 24-karat gold being sold at Rs500,162 per tola, down Rs1,000. Read more

• ABL declares Rs4 per share dividend in 3MCY26

Allied Bank Limited (PSX: ABL) reported a slight 2% dip in its consolidated profit after taxation for the first quarter ended March 31, 2026, recording Rs8.31bn compared to Rs8.48bn in the corresponding period last year. Read more

• Pakistan’s big shift into the MENAAP mainstream

Pakistan has officially transitioned into the newly defined Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan (MENAAP) administrative region, a move that coincides with a volatile new conflict centered around the Gulf. Read more

• Gold retreats amid signs of potential U.S.-Iran diplomatic talks

Gold prices slipped on Tuesday as a stronger U.S. dollar weighed on demand, while investors closely monitored the possibility of renewed diplomatic talks between the United States and Iran following heightened tensions over the weekend. Read more

• Why hasn’t NBP paid its 350% dividend yet?

Shareholders of the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) continue to await their record dividend payout, despite the bank announcing a historic Rs35 per share (350%) final cash dividend nearly two months ago. Read more

• POWER profit jumps over sevenfold in 9MFY26

Power Cement Limited (PSX: POWER) recorded a monumental 7.28 times surge in its net profit for the nine months ended March 31, 2026, reaching Rs2.53bn compared to a modest Rs347.93m in the corresponding period last year. Read more

• PIOC powers ahead with 17% profit growth in 9MFY26

Pioneer Cement Limited (PSX: PIOC) reported a solid 17% increase in its net profit for the nine months ended March 31, 2026, reaching Rs4.4bn compared to Rs3.75bn in the corresponding period last year. Read more

• Oil pulls back on diplomatic hopes

Oil prices slipped on Tuesday, giving back some of the sharp gains seen in the previous session, as attention was turned to the possibility of renewed U.S.–Iran negotiations that could ease supply constraints. 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

• SBP receives $1bn from Saudi Arabia

Pakistan’s external account received a fresh boost as the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) confirmed the receipt of $1 billion from the Ministry of Finance Saudi Arabia on April 20, 2026. Read more

• Asia markets mixed amid fragile hopes on U.S. Iran outlook

Asia markets traded mixed on Tuesday as investors weighed cautious optimism over a potential easing in Middle East tensions against continued uncertainty surrounding U.S. Iran relations. Read more

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