MG Morning Breeze: Updates to Skim before Market

July 31, 2026 (MLN): Morning Breeze aims to lessen the load for its readers by curating noteworthy updates from the preceding day.

• Petroleum pricing panel backs phased deregulation

Pakistan is moving a step closer to deregulating its petroleum sector on Thursday as a government committee endorsed a phased roadmap for market reforms, while also reviewing measures to enhance pricing transparency, digitize the fuel supply chain and strengthen competition in the oil market. Read more

• Govt hikes petrol by Re1.09, HSD by Rs2.42 per Litre

The government has raised the price of petrol by Rs1.09 per litre, bringing it up to Rs336.15, while High Speed Diesel (HSD) has been raised by Rs2.42 per litre to Rs393.04, effective July 31, 2026. Read more

• SCRA balance falls Rs82m to Rs27.3bn

The SCRA balance decreased by Rs82.00m during the week ending Jul 24, 2026 to close at Rs27.29bn. Read more

• SBP reserves fall $229m to $17bn

The foreign exchange reserves held by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) decreased by $228.7 million or 1.33% WoW to $17.03 billion during the week ended on July 24, 2026, data released by State Bank of Pakistan showed on Thursday. Read more

• Pakistan showcases textile power at Texworld New York City 2026

Pakistan is showcasing its expanding value-added textile and manufacturing capabilities at Texworld New York City 2026, with five Pakistani companies participating in the three-day international exhibition to strengthen export opportunities and connect with buyers in the U.S. market. Read more

• PKR posts slight gain against USD

The Pakistani rupee (PKR) recorded a marginal gain against the US dollar on Thursday, settling at PKR 277.81 in the interbank market compared with the previous close of PKR 277.82. Read more

• PM orders crackdown on tax evaders, informal economy

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday ordered authorities to launch a nationwide crackdown on tax evaders and businesses operating in the informal economy, while directing the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to complete the rollout of its digital production tracking system across the manufacturing sector by the end of the year. Read more

• PSX Closing Bell: A Touch of Red

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) extended its bearish trend on Thursday, with the benchmark KSE-100 Index declining nearly 500 points as persistent selling pressure in key sectors and continued uncertainty over regional geopolitical tensions weighed on investor sentiment. Read more

• SEPL declares Rs9 dividend

Security Papers Limited (PSX: SEPL) reported a 40% decline in its net profit for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2026, recording Rs907.16m compared to Rs1.52bn in the preceding year. Read more

• Tasdeeq IPO Floor Set at Rs1.90

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) has granted approval for the Prospectus of Tasdeeq Information Services Limited's Initial Public Offering (IPO), paving the way for the company to raise capital through the issuance of 150,000,000 ordinary shares via the Book Building method, according to a notice issued Thursday. Read more

• Pakistan, Kuwait defence ties strengthen on ratification of 2023 Agreement

Pakistan Kuwait defence relations have received a boost with Kuwait's ratification of the Pakistan–Kuwait Defence Cooperation Agreement, signed in June 2023, a development termed an important milestone that will further strengthen institutional linkages between the armed forces of the two countries and enhance defence cooperation. Read more

• PPL makes fourth consecutive gas discovery in Shah Bandar Block

Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PSX:PPL), the operator of the Shah Bandar Exploration License, has made a gas/condensate discovery at its exploratory well Rahi X-1, located in District Sujawal, Sindh, marking the fourth consecutive find in the Shah Bandar Block. Read more

• Engro Powergen Qadirpur's H1 profit slides to Rs346m

Engro Powergen Qadirpur Limited (PSX: EPQL) reported a 24.7% year-on-year decline in half-year profit to Rs346.408 million for the six months ended June 30, 2026, even as topline revenue climbed 15.3%, as a swing from net finance income to net finance cost and a steeper rise in fuel and operating costs squeezed margins, according to the company's unaudited condensed interim financial statements filed with the Pakistan Stock Exchange. Read more

• BAFL 1HCY26 profit jumps 40%

Bank Alfalah Limited (PSX: BAFL) reported a robust 40% increase in its consolidated net profit for the half-year ended June 30, 2026 (1HCY26), recording Rs21.14bn compared to Rs15.06bn in the corresponding period last year. Read more

• Gold price in Pakistan rises Rs1,000 per tola

Gold price in Pakistan increased on Thursday, with 24-karat gold being sold at Rs427,436 per tola, up Rs1,000. Read more

• NRL raises Rs10bn through first-ever Sukuk to fund working capital

National Refinery Limited (NRL) has successfully raised PKR 10 billion through its first-ever capital market debt issuance, issuing a rated, unsecured, privately placed short-term Sukuk to diversify its funding sources and support working capital requirements. Read more

• External debt servicing to ease to $21.5bn in FY27: SBP

Pakistan's external debt servicing burden is projected to ease significantly in fiscal year 2026-27, with total repayments estimated at $21.5 billion, nearly $5 billion lower than the previous fiscal year, as a substantial portion of maturing obligations is expected to be rolled over or refinanced rather than repaid in cash. Read more

• ATLH quarterly profit surges 25%

Atlas Honda Limited (PSX: ATLH) reported a robust 25% increase in its net profit for the quarter ended June 30, 2026, reaching Rs6.02bn compared to Rs4.81bn in the corresponding period last year. Read more

• Govt reaffirms SME support, eyes African market expansion

The Government has reaffirmed that strengthening the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) sector remains a key priority, as a meeting addressed challenges around export promotion, industrial competitiveness, access to finance, and regulatory reforms. Read more

• China’s Wenchang Space site completes 50th launch mission

China’s Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site has marked its 50th launch mission since becoming operational in 2016 after a Long March-7A rocket successfully placed the Tianlian III-01 satellite into its designated orbit. Read more

• PM orders immediate access to Sky 47 data center for all federal institutions

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has directed authorities to take immediate and effective steps to extend the facilities of Sky 47, the newly established federal government-run national central data center, to all federal institutions. Read more

• Fitch warns of mounting EM credit risks from Hormuz, El Niño, tariffs

Fitch Ratings has cautioned that the renewed closure of the Strait of Hormuz in July points to persistent geopolitical and energy-related risks for emerging markets credit through the second half of 2026, warning that additional shocks stemming from El Niño and US tariff policy could further strain policymakers' capacity to safeguard economic buffers. Read more

• US Effective Tariff Rate falls to 7.4% under new trade regime

The U.S. effective tariff rate (ETR) has dropped to 7.4% from 9.4% following the replacement of the temporary Section 122 import surcharge with new Section 301 tariffs covering goods from 60 economies, including the European Union. Read more

• Pakistani rice exporters strike deals with Chinese firms in Guangzhou

Pakistan and China moved closer on agricultural trade as a grains B2B matchmaking session in Guangzhou brought together 15 leading Pakistani rice exporters and Chinese agricultural companies, with participating enterprises signing purchase order letters of intent and reaching preliminary cooperation understandings. Read more

• Gold climbs after fed holds rates, September hike bets fade

Gold prices moved higher on Thursday as investors assessed the Federal Reserve’s latest policy decision and comments from Chairman Kevin Warsh on the central bank’s efforts to bring inflation under control. Read more

• Abhi, TPL-backed microfinance bank eyes IPO this month

Abhi Microfinance Bank, the digital lender majority-owned by fintech firm Abhi, is preparing to go public this month. Read more

• Engro Fertilizers profit falls 16%, declares Rs1.75 dividend

Engro Fertilizers Limited (PSX: EFERT) recorded a 16% decline in its net profit for the six months ended June 30, 2026, with profit for the period falling to Rs7.12m from Rs8.46m in the corresponding period last year. Read more

• NBP issues foreign exchange rates

The treasury management division of the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) on Thursday issued the following exchange rates. Read more

• Saudi Arabia defers Pakistan's $5bn loan repayment for 3 years

Pakistan currently holds $8bn in deposits from Saudi Arabia, while Riyadh has deferred repayment of a $5bn loan for a further three years. Read more

• Asian markets mixed; fed holds rates, Middle East tensions lift oil

Asian markets were mixed in early Thursday trading as investors assessed the U.S. Federal Reserve’s decision to keep interest rates unchanged, higher oil prices and renewed tensions in the Middle East. Read more

• ECC approves Steering Committee to assess wheat import needs

The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet approved the constitution of a Steering Committee to conduct a need assessment and devise an operational mechanism for wheat import proposals and provincial demand, under the chairmanship of the Deputy Prime Minister. Read more

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