MG Morning Breeze: Updates to Skim before Market

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

• FM hails Saifee Cardiac wing as investment in Pakistan’s future

Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb and Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah attended the inauguration ceremony of Saifee Hospital’s Cardiac Wing in North Nazimabad, Karachi. Read more

• Pakistan pays off Rs1.2tr debt early, largest tranche yet

The Ministry of Finance has early-repaid Rs1,200bn to the State Bank of Pakistan well ahead of its scheduled maturity, which marks the single largest early-repayment tranche undertaken so far and taking cumulative domestic debt retired ahead of maturity to over Rs5.92tr. Read more

• Minister Kayani briefs trade bodies on budget relief, export facilitation plan

The government reaffirmed its commitment to facilitating trade, streamlining the tax framework, and further strengthening the export environment. Read more

• Govt reviews energy security, investment plans with OICCI, PSO

The government is working to strengthen exploration, modernize refining infrastructure and advance reforms across the petroleum sector. Read more

• Weekly Market Roundup

The benchmark KSE-100 Index closed the week ended August 28, 2026, at 177,696.51 points, gaining 529.99 points, or 0.30%, on a week-on-week basis from 177,166.52 points recorded on August 21, 2026. Read more

• Key Pakistan Market Stats and Economic Indicators

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

• Petrol price cut by 58 paisa, diesel down 17 paisa

The Ministry of Energy (Petroleum Division) has revised the ex-depot prices of petroleum products, reducing the price of High-Speed Diesel (HSD) by Rs0.17 per litre and Motor Spirit (petrol) by Rs0.58 per litre, effective August 29, 2026. Read more

• APAG book building oversubscribed 1.84x, strike price set at Rs33

APAG’s book-building process received a strong response from investors, with the issue oversubscribed by 1.84 times and closing at a strike price of Rs33 per share. Read more

• Uzbekistan eyes deeper SCO integration beyond trade

Uzbekistan is moving to strengthen its economic footprint within the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) as the bloc heads toward its 25th anniversary in 2026, with Tashkent's trade with fellow member states climbing 3.1 times over the past eight years to touch $40.6bn. Read more

• Pakistan eyes productivity-led path to $1tr economy

Pakistan needs to translate its hard-won macroeconomic stability into sustained economic growth driven by higher productivity, exports, investment and employment, Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal said on Friday. Read more

• PSX Closing Bell: A Soft Step Up

Pakistan’s benchmark KSE-100 Index closed Friday’s trading session higher by 373.73 points or 0.21% at 177,696.50, as buying in commercial banks and technology stocks helped the index finish in positive territory despite broader market weakness. Read more

• Lucky Cement consortium submits EOI, cleared for FESCO due diligence

Lucky Cement Limited (PSX:LUCK), along with Hub Power Holdings Limited, Kohat Cement Company Limited, and Metro Ventures (Private) Limited, has formed a consortium and submitted an Expression of Interest and Statement of Qualification for the proposed acquisition of a 51% to 100% equity stake, along with management control, in Faisalabad Electric Supply Company Limited (FESCO), which is being offered for divestment by the Government of Pakistan through a privatization process. Read more

• PKR edges higher, closes at 277.5 against USD

The Pakistani rupee (PKR) extended its gains against the US dollar on Friday, appreciating by 1.31 paisa in the interbank market to close at PKR 277.50 per USD, compared with the previous session's closing of PKR 277.51. Read more

• BOP profit surges 44% to Rs9.37bn in 1HCY26

The Bank of Punjab (PSX: BOP) recorded a 44% increase in its consolidated net profit for the half year ended June 30, 2026, with profit after taxation climbing to Rs9.37bn from Rs6.52bn in the corresponding period last year. Read more

• OMO Result: SBP injects over Rs12tr

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 Rs12.24 trillion into the market of which Rs11.57tr were injected through reverse repo OMO. Read more

• ARM Green Industries approves formation of corporate group with subsidiary

ARM Green Industries Limited's (PSX:ARMG) Board of Directors has authorized the formation and registration of a "Group" under the Companies Act, 2017, comprising the company as the holding entity along with its subsidiary, Helios Resol Technology (Private) Limited, pursuant to Regulation 138 of the Companies Regulations, 2024. Read more

• BML posts Rs4.7bn loss in 1HCY26

Bank Makramah Limited (PSX: BML) reported a net loss of Rs4.68bn for the half-year ended June 30, 2026 (1HCY26), reversing from a restated net profit of Rs704.47m recorded in the corresponding period last year. Read more

• Pakistan secures $763m external financing in July 2026

Pakistan received $763.03 million in foreign economic assistance in July 2026, the opening month of FY2026‑27, according to the latest monthly disbursement report by the Economic Affairs Division (EAD). Read more

• Gold price in Pakistan remain unchanged

Gold price in Pakistan remained unchanged on Friday, with 24-karat gold being sold at Rs483,036 per tola, unchanged from the previous session. Read more

• Govt moves to withdraw telecom amendment bill from Senate

The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) has initiated the process to withdraw the Pakistan Telecommunications (Re-organisation) Amendment Bill 2026 from the Senate as the legislation nears the end of its stipulated 90-day period. Read more

• Banks’ deposits increase by 14% YoY to Rs39tr in July

The total deposits held by scheduled banks have moved up by 13.93% YoY to Rs39.05 trillion in July 2026 compared to Rs34.28tr in July 2025. Read more

• Govt moves to tighten drug pricing rules, revamp hardship policy

The government has ordered an urgent review of the regulatory framework governing drug pricing, including revisions to the Hardship Policy and the composition of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) Policy Board. Read more

• Pakistan, Saudi Arabia chart new course for agri-trade partnership

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have agreed to deepen economic and agricultural cooperation, with a Pakistani delegation of agricultural experts set to visit Riyadh shortly to advance discussions on unlocking the full potential of the bilateral partnership. Read more

• Weekly SPI remains broadly stable

Pakistan's short-term inflation, measured by the Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI), increased by 0.05% for the week ended August 27, 2026, according to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). Read more

• SECP makes stock market investing faster with digital onboarding

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has introduced a unified digital investor onboarding framework to make investing in the stock market easier, faster and more accessible by reducing repetitive verification, simplifying documentation and setting clear timelines for opening investor accounts. Read more

• AVN slips into red in 1HCY26

Avanceon Limited (PSX: AVN) slipped into the red for the half-year ended June 30, 2026 (1HCY26), reporting a net loss of Rs259.85m compared to a net profit of Rs167.99m in the corresponding period last year. Read more

• PIA holding’s half-year loss widens 76% to Rs25bn

PIA Holding Company Limited (PSX: PIAHCLA) recorded a 76% increase in its consolidated net loss for the half year ended June 30, 2025, with net loss for the period widening to Rs25.39bn from Rs14.43bn in the corresponding period last year. Read more

• Packages returns to profit with Rs5bn in 1HCY26

Packages Limited (PSX: PKGS) swung to a consolidated net profit of Rs5.45bn for the half year ended June 30, 2026, reversing a loss of Rs336.80m recorded in the corresponding period last year a complete earnings turnaround driven by strong operational improvement across multiple fronts. Read more

• Pakistan's five refineries ready to sign $6bn upgradation agreements next month

Pakistan's refining sector is set to receive an investment of nearly $6bn as all five oil refineries Pak Arab Refinery Limited (PARCO), Pakistan Refinery Limited (PRL), National Refinery Limited (NRL), Cnergyico and Attock Refinery Limited (ARL) reaffirmed readiness to sign agreements under the Brownfield Refinery Upgradation Policy, with the signings expected early next month. Read more

• Haleon Pakistan bags Environment Excellence Award for Jamshoro Facility

Haleon Pakistan Limited's (PSX:HALEON) Jamshoro manufacturing facility has secured the 23rd Annual Environment Excellence Award 2026 from the National Forum for Environment & Health (NFEH), in recognition of the site's continued commitment to environmental excellence, responsible operations and sustainable development. Read more

• ABOT 1HCY26 profit rises 17%

Abbott Laboratories (Pakistan) Limited (PSX: ABOT) reported a 17% increase in its net profit for the half-year ended June 30, 2026 (1HCY26), reaching Rs4.14bn compared to Rs3.54bn in the corresponding period last year. Read more

• TPLI proposes rebranding to JazzSure Insurance

TPL Insurance Limited (PSX: TPLI) has proposed changing the company's name to "JazzSure Insurance Limited," with the Board of Directors approving the resolution at a meeting held on Thursday, 27th August 2026. Read more

• State Bank of Pakistan reports Rs2tr profit in FY26

State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) reported a 20% decline in its consolidated net profit for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2026, recording Rs1.99trillion compared to Rs2.51 trillion in the preceding fiscal year. Read more

• Global food Inflation set to hit 5% by 2027: JPMorgan

Global food inflation is projected to accelerate sharply into 2027, climbing from around 2.8% in the first half of 2026 to roughly 5% on an annualized basis by the first half of 2027, according to a new JPMorgan report titled "Food Security is National Security: A Compounding Storm," led by senior global economist Nora Szentivanyi. Read more

• Oil slides toward weekly loss as Iran uncertainty persists

Oil prices declined on Friday, putting both major benchmarks on course to end a two-week winning run, even after prices settled higher in the previous session amid renewed uncertainty over U.S.-Iran relations. Read more

• Saudi investor Asyad Group eyes further investment in Pakistan

The Government of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia's Asyad Group have signalled deeper investment cooperation, with the Asyad Group outlining plans to expand its Pakistan footprint across energy, aviation and finance, including growth at Wafi Energy Pakistan Limited, a potential bid for the upcoming airport privatisation, and fresh interest in the financial sector. 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

• Asian markets turn mixed with Warsh speech in focus

Asian markets traded mostly lower on Friday, with investors turning cautious ahead of Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh’s closely watched speech at the Jackson Hole symposium. Read more

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