MG Morning Breeze: Updates to Skim before Market

April 27, 2026 (MLN): Morning Breeze aims to lessen the load for its readers by curating noteworthy updates from the preceding day.

• Pakistan eyes $1.2bn IMF tranche approval next month

Pakistan is set to receive a significant financial boost as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) prepares to consider the approval of the next tranche of funding under its ongoing loan programme, with a key Executive Board meeting scheduled for May 8, officials confirmed. Read more

• Govt plans to scrap licensing, fees for small solar systems

Pakistan’s Power Division has formally approached the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) to abolish licensing requirements and waive fees for small-scale solar consumers. Read more

• Weekly Market Roundup

Pakistan’s equity market reversed course during the week ended April 24, 2026, snapping its two-week recovery streak as the benchmark KSE-100 Index closed at 170,672.04, down from 173,939.01 recorded on April 17, 2026. Read more

• Pakistan receives three LNG spot bids amid supply disruptions

Pakistan has attracted three bids from international suppliers for spot liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargoes, its first such tender in over two years, as supply disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict strain the country’s energy chain. Read more

• Key Pakistan Market Stats and Economic Indicators

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

• Petrol, Diesel prices jump sharply again

The government has raised the prices of petroleum products, increasing petrol and high-speed diesel (HSD) by Rs26.77 per litre for the week starting April 25, according to a notification issued by the Petroleum Division. Read more

• Oil slides after Pakistan flags new US–Iran talks

Oil markets turned lower on Friday after reports emerged that Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is expected to arrive in Islamabad for a possible second round of peace talks with the United States, easing fears of near-term geopolitical escalation. Read more

• Fatima Fertilizer Q1 profit takes major hit

Fatima Fertilizer Company Limited (PSX: FATIMA) reported a significant decline in its profitability for the first quarter ended March 31, 2026, with profit after tax falling by 61.35% to Rs3.24 billion compared to Rs8.37 billion in the same period last year. Read more

• PSX Closing Bell: Bulls Stage a Comeback

Stocks at the Pakistan Stock Exchange staged a strong recovery on Friday, with the benchmark KSE-100 Index closing higher despite remaining under pressure for most of the trading session amid heightened geopolitical tensions and volatile oil prices. Read more

• Bata’s FY2025 laces undone, trips into red

Bata Pakistan Limited (PSX: BATA) reported a severe financial downturn for the year ended December 31, 2025, swinging from a net profit of Rs850.73m in the previous year to a massive net loss of Rs2.39bn. Read more

• NCL 9MFY26 profit surges 54%

Nishat Chunian Limited (PSX: NCL) reported a robust 54% increase in its consolidated profit after taxation for the nine months ended March 31, 2026, recording Rs1.11bn compared to Rs724.84m in the corresponding period last year. Read more

• PKR extends rally, eyes stronger levels ahead

The Pakistani Rupee (PKR) continued its upward trajectory against the US Dollar on Friday, marked another session of steady appreciation in the interbank market. Read more

• SECP tightens AML net

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has proposed sweeping amendments to its anti-money laundering framework, introducing IBAN-based verification and multi-biometric authentication to enable fully digital onboarding of investors while strengthening safeguards against illicit financial flows. Read more

• PKGP sinks into the red in Q1CY26

Pakgen Power Limited (PSX: PKGP) experienced a severe financial contraction for the first quarter ended March 31, 2026, swinging from a net profit of Rs37.40m in the same period last year to a net loss of Rs100.34m. Read more

• LPL turns the tide, posts Rs213m profit in Q1CY26

Lalpir Power Limited (PSX: LPL) reported a remarkable financial turnaround for the first quarter ended March 31, 2026, swinging from a heavy net loss of Rs462.62m in the same period last year to a net profit of Rs213.40m. Read more

• Gold price in Pakistan falls Rs2,900 per tola

Gold price in Pakistan decreased on Friday, with 24-karat gold being sold at Rs490,862 per tola, down Rs2,900. Read more

• Hydel output rises to 5,800MW

Pakistan’s power demand picked up across the country, while hydropower generation improved during peak hours, supported by higher water releases from Tarbela Dam, the Power Division said on Friday. Read more

• Strong Q1CY26 performance lifts FCEPL profit by 71%

Frieslandcampina Engro Pakistan Limited (PSX: FCEPL) reported a stellar 71% surge in its net profit for the first quarter ended March 31, 2026, reaching Rs1.85bn compared to Rs1.08bn in the corresponding period last year. Read more

• OMO Result: SBP injects Rs9.72tr 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 Rs9.72trillion into the market, of which Rs9.096tr were injected through reverse repo OMO. Read more

• FCCL profit rises 15% in 9MFY26

Fauji Cement Company Limited (PSX: FCCL) reported a solid 15% increase in its net profit for the nine months ended March 31, 2026, reaching Rs10.78bn compared to Rs9.41bn in the corresponding period last year. Read more

• Weekly SPI decreases by 0.33%

Pakistan's short-term inflation, measured by the Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI), decreased by 0.33% for the week ended April 23, 2026, according to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). Read more

• OGDC receives Rs7.7bn under Circular Debt Plan

Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (PSX: OGDC) has received the tenth interest installment of Rs7.725 billion from Power Holding (Private) Limited, as part of the government-backed circular debt settlement mechanism. Read more

• NBP bets big on digital future

National Bank of Pakistan set a forward-looking tone at its CY25 corporate briefing, outlining an ambitious strategy built on digital acceleration, smarter cost control, and a stronger, low-cost deposit base. Read more

• MUREB 9MFY26 profit grows 9%

Murree Brewery Company Limited (PSX: MUREB) reported a steady 9% increase in its net profit for the nine months ended March 31, 2026, recording Rs2.69bn compared to Rs2.47bn in the corresponding period last year. Read more

• Govt bets big on blue economy growth

Pakistan is taking decisive steps to harness its largely untapped blue economy, as the government moves to modernize the fisheries sector that despite significant potential contributes less than 0.5% to the country's GDP. Read more

• Gold prices fall amid stronger dollar, higher oil

Gold prices declined on Friday, weighed down by a firmer U.S. dollar and rising oil prices that heightened inflation concerns, as investors monitored developments surrounding stalled U.S.-Iran negotiations. Read more

• Meezan Bank card spend tops Rs45bn

Meezan Bank Limited (PSX: MEBL) has reported that its monthly card spend has exceeded Rs45 billion, according to the Press Release. Read more

• Asia markets show mixed trend on global uncertainty

Asia markets opened on a mixed note on Friday, as investors adopted a cautious stance despite a temporary easing in geopolitical tensions following the extension of the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire. 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

• Oil jumps to $106 despite diplomatic progress

Oil prices climbed on Friday as tensions in the Middle East continued to disrupt global energy markets, with escalating naval confrontations and the prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz fueling concerns over supply. Read more

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