MG Morning Breeze: Updates to Skim before Market

May 20, 2026 (MLN): Morning Breeze aims to lessen the load for its readers by curating noteworthy updates from the preceding day.

• SLM Tyres IPO draws record Rs69bn interest, oversubscribed 17x

Service Long March Tyres Limited’s initial public offering (IPO) book building has witnessed historic investor participation which was oversubscribed 16.7X generating total interest of approximately PKR 69.4 billion (250 million dollars) during the two-day process, marking a remarkable milestone for Pakistan’s capital market. Read more

• Pakistan, Japan eye next chapter in minerals science

Pakistan and Japan are in ongoing technical discussions over expanded cooperation in advanced analytical sciences, laboratory methodologies, and scientific capacity development in the geosciences sector. Read more

• ECC approves National Gemstone Policy 2026–2030

The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet has approved the National Policy to Realize Pakistan’s Gemstone Potential 2026–2030 aimed at formalizing the country’s gemstone sector, promoting value addition, and enhancing exports. Read more

• ECC approves PNSC restructuring through 30% stake sale to NLC

The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet has granted in-principle approval for the restructuring of Pakistan National Shipping Corporation through the sale of a 30% shareholding and transfer of management control to National Logistics Corporation. Read more

• Gold price in Pakistan remain unchanged

Gold price in Pakistan remained unchanged on Tuesday, with 24-karat gold being sold at Rs477,162 per tola, unchanged from the previous session. Read more

• PSX Closing Bell: Bulls Steal the Show

The benchmark KSE-100 Index rebounded on Tuesday, closing at 162,896.68, up by 1,091.66 points or 0.67%, as investor sentiment improved following easing concerns over geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and a decline in global oil prices. Read more

• PKR stays firm against USD

The Pakistani rupee kept its winning streak alive on Tuesday its 62nd consecutive session in the green inching up 3.03 paisa, or 0.01%, against the US dollar to close interbank trade at PKR 278.57, compared to PKR 278.60 a day earlier. Read more

• EPCL resumes plant operations after maintenance shutdown

Engro Polymer & Chemicals Limited (PSX:EPCL) has restarted its plant following the successful completion of scheduled maintenance activities. Read more

• Pakistan secures $4.5bn external financing in April 2026

Pakistan secured external financing worth $4.47billion in April 2026 from multiple financing sources a sharp surge compared to the previous month, largely attributed to a $3.0bn Saudi Arabian time deposit recorded during the month. Read more

• Islamic banking assets set to hit Rs19tr by 2026

Pakistan’s Islamic banking sector is expected to sustain its strong growth trajectory, with total assets projected to rise to Rs18–19 trillion by December 2026, compared to Rs14.47tr by December 2025, according to industry estimates presented at a media briefing hosted by Meezan Bank in Karachi. Read more

• Oil shock to spark new bull run in Pakistan E&P sector

Pakistan's exploration and production sector is poised for a strong earnings cycle as a confluence of elevated global oil prices, tightening LNG markets, and a domestic production revival reshapes the outlook for listed E&P companies. Read more

• Honda Atlas Cars (Pakistan) Limited profit climbs 19% in MY26

Honda Atlas Cars (Pakistan) Limited (PSX: HCAR) reported a 19.36% year-on-year growth in profit after taxation for the year ended March 31, 2026, recording Rs3.23bn compared to Rs2.71bn in the corresponding period last year. Read more

• Govt rejects all bids for GoP Hybrid, Ijarah Sukuk

The government conducted primary market auctions on May 18, 2026, for the issuance of Government of Pakistan (GoP) Hybrid Sukuk (GHS) and GoP Ijarah Sukuk (GIS), with a settlement date of May 19, 2026, through PSX. Read more

• Govt unveils major insurance sector reforms under new bill 2026

The Federal Government has introduced the Insurance Bill, 2026 in the National Assembly to make insurance services simpler, faster and more accessible for citizens through digital platforms. Read more

• Karandaaz partners Finnect to expand offline Raast payments network

Karandaaz Pakistan has partnered with Finnect, one of the winners of the 1st Offline Payments Innovation Challenge, to support the rollout of offline payment solutions designed to work in low or no-connectivity environments. Read more

• Gold keeps stable footing above $4,500

Gold prices remained stable on Tuesday, as investors took a cautious wait-and-see stance following a dramatic shift in U.S. foreign policy toward Iran. Read more

• Pakistan pushes economic diplomacy with Iran, GCC Nations

Pakistan has reaffirmed the strategic importance of its ties with Iran and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, with Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif directing ambassadors to Gulf states to take a more proactive role in boosting trade, investment, energy cooperation and people-to-people contacts. Read more

• LSECL acquires additional 5.75% in DCCL

LSE Capital Limited (PSX: LSECL) acquired an additional 5.75% equity shares in Digital Custodian Company Limited (DCCL) from a co-investor, bringing the Company's cumulative shareholding in DCCL to 54.01%. Read more

• NBP poised for Rs238/share

National Bank of Pakistan (PSX:NBP) is projected to reach Rs238/share by June 2027 from the current market price of around Rs178/share, while it is expected to offer investors a total return potential of nearly 46%, including dividend income, as improving profitability, stronger asset quality and the resolution of legacy pension issues position the bank for a broad-based re-rating. Read more

• Govt retires Rs501m debt in a week

The government of Pakistan has retired a debt of Rs501 million during the week ended May 08, 2026, which brings its total net borrowing for ongoing fiscal year 2026 to Rs568.09bn, according to the central bank's weekly estimates. Read more

• M2 falls by Rs451bn in a week

Broad money (M2), the most widely used measure of money supply in Pakistan, dropped by Rs451.24 billion WoW to Rs42.59 trillion as of May 08, 2026, data released by State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) showed. Read more

• PREMA springs into premium water market

At-Tahur Limited (PSX: PREMA) launched Prema Natural Spring Water, a premium natural spring water brand. 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

• Asia markets mixed amid oil retreat

Asian markets traded on a mixed note on Tuesday as easing oil prices and renewed hopes for a diplomatic breakthrough between the United States and Iran shaped investor sentiment across the region. Read more

• Karachi residents battle heat, darkness and power cuts

As prolonged power outages continue to disrupt daily life in Karachi during the sweltering pre-monsoon heat, many residents and businesses are increasingly relying on informal generator operators and small-scale backup power providers to cope with worsening electricity shortages. Read more

• Oil prices slide after Trump delays planned Iran strike

Oil prices declined on Tuesday after U.S. President Donald Trump revealed that a proposed military operation against Iran had been delayed, reducing concerns over a possible escalation in the Middle East that could threaten global oil supplies. Read more

• Breakup of trade data in April: PBS

Pakistan's trade deficit widened sharply on a month-on-month basis in April 2026, expanding 50.90% MoM to $4.28bn, compared to $2.84bn recorded in March 2026, according to revised data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). Read more

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