MG Morning Breeze: Updates to Skim before Market

August 10, 2026 (MLN): Morning Breeze aims to lessen the load for its readers by curating noteworthy updates from the preceding day.

• SECP refers Blink Capital case to FIA over Rs446.6m alleged fraud

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has approved referring the case of Blink Capital Management (Private) Limited to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for further investigation and legal action over alleged illegal deposit-taking, guaranteed-return investment schemes and a suspected Ponzi-type fraud involving claims of more than Rs446.6 million. Read more

• SBP Deputy Governor stresses tech-led push for financial inclusion

Financial literacy remains the biggest barrier to expanding financial inclusion in Pakistan. Read more

• Khurram Schehzad terms private sector the engine of growth

Pakistan has moved past macroeconomic stabilization and is now transitioning towards sustainable, private sector-led growth, underpinned by structural reforms, improving investor confidence and strengthening economic fundamentals. Read more

• Fitch sees downside risks to its $87/barrel Brent forecast for 2026

Fitch Ratings says its base-case Brent oil price assumption of $87 a barrel on average for 2026 faces growing downside risk, even though the forecast already builds in a substantial geopolitical premium for renewed Middle East hostilities, including the possibility of a short-term hot war. Read more

• Key Pakistan Market Stats and Economic Indicators

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

• Govt cuts petrol price by Rs2.20/litre, diesel by Rs1.50

The government has reduced the price of petrol by Rs2.20 per litre and High-Speed Diesel (HSD) by Rs1.50 per litre, effective August 08, 2026. Read more

• Weekly Market Roundup

The benchmark KSE-100 Index closed the week ended August 7, 2026, at 181,430.02 points, gaining 5,335.90 points, or 3.03%, on a week-on-week basis from 176,094.12 points recorded on July 31, 2026. Read more

• Industrial giant FF Steel kicks off IPO journey

In a major development for Pakistan's capital markets and industrial sector, Frontier Foundry Steel Limited (FF Steel) has formally kicked off its Initial Public Offering (IPO) journey. Read more

• 12 Investor consortiums submit EOIs for FESCO privatization

Pakistan's privatization of electricity distribution companies (DISCOs) reached a key milestone after the deadline for submitting Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for the Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (FESCO) concluded with strong participation from local and international investors. Read more

• IFC backs Pakistan’s Novatex with $20m loan

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has approved a loan of up to $20 million for Novatex Limited to finance the import of raw materials and equipment, supporting Pakistan's plastic packaging industry and strengthening supply chains for export-oriented sectors. Read more

• PSX Closing Bell: A Minor Mark in Red

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) ended Friday's session slightly lower, with the benchmark KSE-100 Index shedding 347 points as profit-taking in heavyweight commercial banks, fertilizer, and investment companies outweighed gains in select energy and refinery stocks. Read more

• PKR extends gains, ends higher against USD

Pakistan's currency posted a marginal gain against the US dollar on Friday, with the Pakistani rupee closing stronger in the interbank market. Read more

• Diesel levy hike is phased normalization, not arbitrary tax rise: Khurram Schehzad

The recent increase in the Petroleum Levy (PL) on diesel represents a phased normalization of a temporarily reduced levy rather than an arbitrary tax hike, with the rate still lower today than it was before the Gulf crisis despite the latest adjustment. Read more

• Major US textile supplier showcases growing business with Pakistan

Calderon Textiles, an Indiana-based supplier of textile solutions to the hospitality and healthcare sectors, sources a significant share of its products from Pakistani manufacturers, it emerged during a visit by Pakistan's Ambassador to the United States, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh. Read more

• Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Turkey sign joint defence pact in Mecca

Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey on Friday signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, establishing a trilateral security framework aimed at strengthening collective defence and regional stability. Read more

• Pakistan, Iran eye expansion of 100 MW electricity supply arrangement

Pakistan and Iran have agreed to deepen bilateral cooperation in the energy sector, with a second cross-border transmission line set to begin soon and consideration underway to expand the existing 100 MW electricity supply arrangement to meet future demand. Read more

• CDWP clears seven projects, refers three to ECNEC

The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) has cleared seven development projects, approving four schemes worth Rs12.437bn outright while forwarding three larger projects, cumulatively valued at Rs240.537bn, to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for final approval. Read more

• AI offers Pakistan historic chance to catch up with developed world

Pakistan must rapidly strengthen its capabilities in artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies to take advantage of a global technological transformation and bridge the gap with developed countries, Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal said on Friday. Read more

• Gold price in Pakistan rises Rs5,100 per tola

Gold price in Pakistan increased on Friday, with 24-karat gold being sold at Rs454,336 per tola, up Rs5,100. Read more

• Pakistan’s mining sector unites at SECMC technical conference

Pakistan's mining sector stakeholders gathered in Karachi on Wednesday as the Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company (SECMC) hosted the Mining Technical Conference 2026, bringing together industry leaders, government officials, academia and technology providers to strengthen collaboration and promote innovation in the country's mineral sector. Read more

• MARI FY26 profit surges 33%, declares Rs18.7 dividend

MARI ENERGIES LIMITED (PSX: MARI) reported a stellar 33% increase in its consolidated net profit for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2026, reaching Rs86.83bn compared to Rs65.38bn in FY25. Read more

• Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey set to sign joint defence pact

Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are set to sign a joint defence agreement in Makkah on Friday, marking a significant step in regional security cooperation amid heightened tensions in the Middle East. Read more

• TISL strike price fixed at Rs3 per share

Tasdeeq Information Services Limited (TISL) has determined a strike price of Rs3 per share through Book Building conducted on August 5 and 6, 2026, with the offering drawing total participation of approximately Rs4,603 million against an issue size of around Rs214 million on the floor price, translating into an oversubscription of 21.53 times. Read more

• Sapphire Fibres seeks stake in FESCO privatisation

Sapphire Fibres Limited (PSX: SFL) has secured the Request for Statement of Qualification (RSOQ) issued by the Privatisation Commission for the divestment of Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (FESCO) through privatisation. Read more

• OMO Result: SBP injects Rs3.3tr 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 Rs3.27 trillion into the market, of which Rs2.65tr were injected through reverse repo OMO. Read more

• Weekly SPI increased by 0.28%

Pakistan's short-term inflation, measured by the Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI), increased by 0.28% for the week ended August 06, 2026, according to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). Read more

• Pakistan's Petroleum Dependence: One in Every Five Tax Rupees Comes from Fuel

Pakistan's fiscal dependence on petroleum products has reached a level where fuel has effectively become one of the country's largest tax bases. While motorists often focus on the rising prices displayed at petrol pumps, the official pricing mechanism tells a broader story, one in which petroleum taxation has become a cornerstone of federal revenue generation. Read more

• Pakistan, Belarus eye local currency settlements to boost trade

Pakistan and Belarus have agreed that financial institutions and technical experts from both countries will continue consultations on secure and mutually acceptable payment mechanisms, including local-currency settlements and other alternative arrangements, to facilitate bilateral trade transactions. Read more

• Govt sets up panel to boost seafood exports

The government has constituted a four-member committee to finalize a performance-based fish export incentive scheme designed to boost seafood exports without altering the existing tax regime. Read more

• PSX explores acquiring further stake in NCCPL

Pakistan Stock Exchange Limited (PSX) has initiated engagement with one or more existing shareholders of National Clearing Company of Pakistan Limited (NCCPL) to explore the possibility of acquiring further shares in the company. Read more

• UAE weighs entry into Japan's AI data center race

The United Arab Emirates is considering an investment of up to ¥1tr ($6.3bn) to develop an artificial intelligence data center in Japan, in a deal that would be led by Abu Dhabi's sovereign wealth fund, Mubadala Investment. Read more

• Oil climbs above $83 on fresh Strait of Hormuz supply fears

Oil prices advanced on Friday as concerns over potential supply disruptions intensified after Iran released a draft plan outlining new restrictions for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Read more

• PM reaches Jeddah to strengthen Pakistan-Saudi ties

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reached Jeddah on Friday for an official visit to Saudi Arabia at the invitation of Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman. Read more

• Gold jumps to $4,265 as investors await U.S. jobs data

Gold edged higher on Friday and remained on course for its strongest weekly performance since January, buoyed by a pullback in oil prices, as markets held off for the release of closely watched U.S. nonfarm payrolls figures that could shape the path of interest rates. Read more

• PSX re-composes JSMFI, nine companies replaced

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) has carried out the re-composition of the JS Momentum Factor Index (JSMFI) as of July 31, 2026, replacing nine constituent companies including Maple Leaf Cement Factory Limited, Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited and Pakistan Stock Exchange Limited, in accordance with the relevant index rules. Read more

• Pakistan’s active SIMs hit 210m, PTA confirms merger

Pakistan's active mobile SIM base has reached 210 million, while the planned merger between Ufone and Telenor will lead to the creation of a new telecom company, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman informed the Senate Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat on Thursday. Read more

• PSX completes re-composition of NBPPGI, no change in constituents

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) has completed the re-composition exercise of the NBP Pakistan Growth Index (NBPPGI) as of July 31, 2026, in accordance with the relevant index rules, with no change in the index constituents as a result. Read more

• FBR notifies 31 steel makers for Rs5/unit electricity sales tax

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has notified 31 registered iron and steel manufacturers melters, re-rollers and composite units who will now be charged sales tax at the rate of Rs5 per unit of electricity consumed, under Sales Tax General Order (STGO) No. 16 of 2026 issued on August 6. 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

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