MG Morning Breeze: Updates to Skim before Market
MG News | August 24, 2026 at 08:30 AM GMT+05:00
August 24, 2026 (MLN): Morning Breeze aims to lessen the load for its readers by curating noteworthy updates from the preceding day.
Pakistan's banks need to reorient their business models towards stronger retail deposit mobilization and greater private-sector financing to support the country's next phase of sustainable economic growth, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Governor said while addressing the 11th Pakistan Banking Awards 2026 in Karachi. Read more
Weekly roundup of Key Economic releases and market data and statistics Read more
The benchmark KSE-100 Index closed the week ended August 21, 2026, at 177,166.52 points, losing 2,938.09 points, or 1.63%, on a week-on-week basis from 180,104.61 points recorded on August 13, 2026. Read more
The Ministry of Energy (Petroleum Division) has revised the ex-depot prices of petroleum products, raising the price of High-Speed Diesel (HSD) by Rs3.59 per litre and Motor Spirit (petrol) by Rs3.81 per litre, effective from August 22 to August 24, 2026. Read more
The Privatization Commission (PC) has received Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from eleven prospective investors for the privatisation of Gujranwala Electric Power Company (GEPCO), on the closing date for submissions, with parties seeking to acquire between 51% and 100% shareholding along with management control, marking another milestone in the DISCOs privatisation programme. Read more
Meezan Bank Limited has secured the Best Bank of Pakistan title for the sixth time and the fourth consecutive year at the Pakistan Banking Awards. Read more
The Government of Pakistan and the Silk Road Fund (SRF), a major Chinese investment fund, discussed avenues for greater economic and investment cooperation, including opportunities in energy, infrastructure, manufacturing and the country's privatization programme. Read more
The State Bank of Pakistan has designated United Bank Limited, Habib Bank Limited, and National Bank of Pakistan as Domestic Systemically Important Banks (D-SIBs) for 2026, requiring the three lenders to hold additional capital buffers under its D-SIB framework. Read more
Pakistan’s benchmark KSE-100 Index closed Friday’s trading session higher by 574.76 points or 0.33% at 177,166.52, as buying interest in oil & gas, refinery and power stocks helped the market recover despite pressure in banking and other key sectors. Read more
Engro Holdings Limited (PSX: ENGROH) recorded a 56% decline in its consolidated net profit for the half year ended June 30, 2026, with profit for the period falling to Rs30.44m from Rs69.33m in the corresponding period last year. Read more
The Pakistani rupee (PKR) edged up by 1.09 paisa against the US dollar in Friday’s interbank session, settling at PKR 277.56 per USD compared to the previous close of PKR 277.57. Read more
The government has appointed National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) Chief Financial Officer Abdul Wahid Sethi as Acting President and Chief Executive Officer of the state-owned bank. Read more
Standard Chartered Bank (Pakistan) Limited (PSX: SCBPL) reported a 29% decline in its net profit for the half-year ended June 30, 2026 (1HCY26), recording Rs11.78bn compared to Rs16.56bn in the corresponding period last year. Read more
Shariah-compliant equity securities account for 65% of the Pakistan Stock Exchange’s (PSX) market capitalization, with 309 equity securities classified as Shariah-compliant, said Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) Commissioner Imtiaz Haider. Read more
Bitcoin surged more than 5% on Thursday to $72,383.99, marking its highest level since June 1, as renewed optimism surrounding U.S. crypto legislation and easing Treasury yields fueled a sharp rally across digital assets. Read more
The State Bank of Pakistan has introduced Shariah-compliant terminology alternatives across its existing regulations, instructions, and Foreign Exchange Manual, directing banks, microfinance banks, and development finance institutions to interpret conventional banking terms alongside their Islamic finance equivalents. Read more
The Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA) has notified its licensing regulations and opened the licensing portal for virtual asset service providers (VASPs), completing the regulatory framework for licensing and supervision of the sector in Pakistan. Read more
Mari Energies Limited (PSX:MARI) has secured a renewal of the Mari Development and Production Lease (Mari D&PL) from the Federal Government, extending the lease till November 10, 2065, subject to applicable conditions. Read more
Din Textile Mills Limited (PSX:DINT) has raised its total operational solar capacity to 12.6 MW, completing and commissioning its previously planned solar expansion. Read more
Cherat Cement Company Limited (PSX: CHCC) recorded a 16% decline in its net profit for the year ended June 30, 2026, with net profit for the year falling to Rs7.25bn from Rs8.68bn in the corresponding period last year. Read more
The Ministry of Commerce is moving to develop a secure, integrated and AI-enabled digital ecosystem for the ministry and its attached organizations, with plans to strengthen Pakistan's sovereign cloud and data-centre infrastructure, standardize trade data, and deploy artificial intelligence for evidence-based trade and export policymaking. Read more
The Government of Pakistan and Google signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation on digital skills, IT exports and innovation, which marks a significant step toward establishing a Google office in the country and expanding AI access for Pakistani students and institutions. Read more
The government has approved an increase in Dealers' Margin on petroleum products, i.e., Motor Spirit (MS) and High-Speed Diesel (HSD), by Rs1.34 per litre, based on the annual National CPI for 2023-24 and 2024-25, with a floor of 5% and a ceiling of 10%. Read more
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 Rs2.85 trillion into the market, of which Rs2.41tr were injected through reverse repo OMO. Read more
Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb held talks with Secretary-General of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Development (ICCD) Shaikh Yousef Hassan Khalawi on expanding economic cooperation, developing halal markets and strengthening Pakistan’s Islamic finance ecosystem. Read more
Gold price in Pakistan increased on Friday, with 24-karat gold being sold at Rs477,136 per tola, up Rs5,200. Read more
Symmetry Group Limited's (PSX: SYM) net IPO proceeds of Rs361.5m have been almost fully utilized, with Rs325.4m deployed against approved allocations and the remaining Rs36.1m absorbed into working capital, according to the company's final progress report on utilization of IPO proceeds. Read more
Tasdeeq Information Services Limited’s IPO allocation has been revised, with the Book Building Portion reduced from 75% (112.5mn shares) to 65% (97.5mn shares), while the General Public Portion has been raised from 25% (37.5mn shares) to 35% (52.5mn shares). Read more
Pakistan's short-term inflation, measured by the Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI), increased by 0.49% for the week ended August 20, 2026, according to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). Read more
Ghani ChemWorld Limited's (PSX:GCWL) Partially Redeemable Shares (PRS) will be listed on the Main Board of the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) with effect from Monday, August 24, 2026. Read more
Rehmat Ali Hasnie’s tenure as President and CEO of National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) has expired effective August 21, 2026, according to the company's statement issued today. Read more
Pakistan carried a 5% index weighting in the MSCI Frontier Markets ex-GCC (FMXGCC) Net Total Return Index as of August 2026, placing it among the 18 constituent markets tracked in a heterogenous asset class overview released by Swedish frontier-market investment manager Tundra Fonder. Read more
Oil prices remained broadly stable on Friday but were heading for a second consecutive weekly increase as the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict continued to disrupt crude supplies from the Middle East. Read more
Pakistan and Kazakhstan have reaffirmed their commitment to achieving US$1bn in bilateral trade within two years, with both sides stressing the need to translate political goodwill from the recent elevation of ties to a Strategic Partnership into concrete economic outcomes. Read more
Pakistan has stepped up efforts to strengthen its trade and economic engagement with friendly countries, particularly the European Union (EU), with a focus on improving market access, export performance and coordination among relevant stakeholders. Read more
Pakistan and Syria have agreed to further strengthen bilateral cooperation across political, economic and trade domains, with both sides committing to translate longstanding goodwill into concrete outcomes including a proposed joint business council and investment forum. Read more
Asian markets traded mostly lower on Friday, tracking overnight losses on Wall Street as rising long-dated U.S. Treasury yields renewed concerns over inflation and government debt supply. Read more
The treasury management division of the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) on Friday issued the following exchange rates. Read more
Gold prices moved higher on Friday, keeping the metal on course for a third straight weekly advance as a softer dollar and the U.S. Treasury's decision to expand its bond buyback programme lent support to bullion. Read more
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| Name | Price/Vol | %Chg/NChg |
|---|---|---|
| KSE100 | 177,166.52 410.56M | 0.33% 574.76 |
| ALLSHR | 107,641.65 676.88M | 0.48% 519.21 |
| KSE30 | 52,670.80 88.28M | 0.39% 203.40 |
| KMI30 | 251,460.53 103.06M | 0.76% 1891.30 |
| KMIALLSHR | 69,413.38 509.62M | 0.79% 544.65 |
| BKTi | 49,984.79 26.85M | -0.30% -151.57 |
| OGTi | 36,423.05 16.04M | 1.47% 527.97 |
| Symbol | Bid/Ask | High/Low |
|---|
| Name | Last | High/Low | Chg/%Chg |
|---|---|---|---|
| BITCOIN FUTURES | 77,540.00 | 78,915.00 76,745.00 | 360.00 0.47% |
| BRENT CRUDE | 93.60 | 94.83 92.74 | -0.18 -0.19% |
| RICHARDS BAY COAL MONTHLY | 110.30 | 110.50 110.30 | 0.05 0.05% |
| ROTTERDAM COAL MONTHLY | 125.25 | 125.25 125.25 | 1.50 1.21% |
| USD RBD PALM OLEIN | 1,175.00 | 1,175.00 1,175.00 | 0.00 0.00% |
| CRUDE OIL - WTI | 86.64 | 87.51 85.80 | -0.19 -0.22% |
| SUGAR #11 WORLD | 17.60 | 17.89 17.16 | 0.08 0.46% |
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