MG Morning Breeze: Updates to Skim before Market

October 05, 2026 (MLN): Morning Breeze aims to lessen the load for its readers by curating noteworthy updates from the preceding day.

• SBP opens applications for second cohort of Regulatory Sandbox

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has opened applications for the second cohort of its Regulatory Sandbox, inviting individuals and firms to test innovative solutions in four theme areas, with submissions accepted until November 30, 2026. Read more

• SBP issues guidelines for export of 200,000 MT sugar

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has advised authorized dealers in foreign exchange to process the requests of eligible sugar mills for the export of 200,000 metric tons of sugar, subject to a set of conditions, including payment through sight letter of credit or advance payment and shipment by sea only. Read more

• Pakistan cotton arrival growth slows to 5%, raising price concerns

Pakistan’s cotton arrivals have slowed significantly, with year-on-year growth falling to 5% by the end of September from 27% about a month earlier, raising concerns over domestic crop output and the potential for higher cotton prices and increased imports. Read more

• SECP refers Bagasra Securities case to FIA Over Rs49m unpaid investor claims

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has approved referring the Bagasra Securities case to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for legal proceedings over alleged unauthorised dealings in clients’ shares, with Rs48.93 million in investor claims still outstanding. Read more

• Weekly Market Roundup

The benchmark KSE-100 Index closed the week ended October 2, 2026, at 168,155.49 points, losing 2,609.73 points or 1.53% week-on-week from 170,765.22 points recorded on September 25, 2026. Read more

• Key Pakistan Market Stats and Economic Indicators

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

• Banks’ deposits increase by 14% YoY in August

The total deposits held by scheduled banks have moved up by 13.87% YoY to Rs39.24 trillion in August 2026 compared to Rs34.46tr in August 2025. Read more

• Cement despatches rise 6% in September

Cement despatches rose 5.95% year-on-year to 4.621mn tons in September 2026 from 4.361mn tons a year earlier, as higher domestic sales outweighed stagnant exports, data from the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA) showed. Read more

• Petrol price rises by Rs2.10, diesel by Rs0.30 per litre

The Ministry of Energy (Petroleum Division) has revised the ex-depot prices of petroleum products, raising the price of High-Speed Diesel (HSD) by Rs0.30 per litre and Motor Spirit (petrol) by Rs2.10 per litre, effective from October 3, 2026 to October 5, 2026. Read more

• PSX Closing Bell: Just Under the Line

The benchmark KSE-100 Index concluded Friday's trading session at 168,155.49, showing a decrease of 481.36 points or 0.29%. Read more

• PKR gains 3 paisa against USD

The Pakistani rupee (PKR) appreciated by 3.08 paisa against the US dollar in the interbank market on Friday, settling at PKR 277.07 per dollar compared to the previous close of PKR 277.10. Read more

• Gammon Pakistan's 1QFY27 progress report shows no new projects

Gammon Pakistan Limited (PSX:GAMON) did not secure or undertake any new construction project during the first quarter ended September 30, 2026, and generated no operating revenue from contract activities, according to its quarterly progress report. Read more

• Trade gap widens to $3.56bn in September

Pakistan's merchandise trade deficit widened to $3.56 billion in September 2026, up 7.99% from August and 6.15% from a year earlier. Read more

• VIS reaffirms The Searle Company's long-term rating at 'AA-'

The Searle Company Limited (PSX:SEARL) has had its entity ratings reaffirmed by VIS Credit Rating Company Limited (VIS) at 'AA-/A1' (Double A Minus/A One), with a 'Stable' outlook. Read more

• Kohinoor Spinning Mills denies FBR shutdown reports, calls them fake

Kohinoor Spinning Mills Limited (PSX:KOSM) has dismissed reports circulating on social media that the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has shut down its operations, calling the claims fake, baseless and misleading. Read more

• VIS reaffirms entity ratings of Al-Ghazi Tractors Limited

VIS Credit Rating Company Limited (VIS) has reaffirmed the entity ratings of Al-Ghazi Tractors Limited (‘AGTL’ or ‘the Company’) at ‘A+/A1’ (Single A Plus/A One). Medium to long term rating of ‘A+’ indicates Good credit quality; Protection factors are adequate. Read more

• Pace (Pakistan) approves Rs1.5bn investment in Ever Green Water Valley

Pace (Pakistan) Limited's (PSX:PACE) Board of Directors has approved an equity investment of up to Rs1,500 million in Ever Green Water Valley (Pvt) Ltd, an associated company, and the disinvestment of 73,861,873 ordinary shares, or 15.4%, in Pace Barka Properties Limited, another associated company. Read more

• Pakistan, World Bank review reform progress, growth and jobs operation

Pakistan and the World Bank have reviewed progress under their ongoing economic reform partnership, with discussions centred on a proposed World Bank growth and jobs operation, tax and fiscal reforms, capital-market development, debt management and sovereign credit ratings. Read more

• UK eyes role in Pakistan’s PPP, investment reforms

The United Kingdom has expressed interest in supporting Pakistan’s efforts to mobilise private capital through public-private partnerships (PPPs), improve the investment climate and strengthen trade and investment ties, as Islamabad seeks to shift the economy toward investment-led and export-oriented growth. Read more

• KOHE FY26 profit edges up 3%

Kohinoor Energy Limited (PSX: KOHE) reported a modest 3% increase in its consolidated net profit for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2026, reaching Rs743.64m compared to Rs723.86m in the preceding year. Read more

• OMO Result: SBP injects over Rs3tr

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 Rs3.25trillion into the market, of which Rs2.71tr were injected through reverse repo OMO. Read more

• Weekly SPI increases by 0.21%

Pakistan's short-term inflation, measured by the Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI), increased by 0.21% for the week ended October 01, 2026, according to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). 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

• Gold price in Pakistan rises Rs2,000 per tola

Gold price in Pakistan increased on Friday, with 24-karat gold being sold at Rs440,636 per tola, up Rs2,000. Read more

• Finance Minister, NBP president discuss banking sector's role in economic priorities

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) President Imran Sarwar discussed the role of the banking sector in supporting the country's financial and economic priorities, with the NBP chief briefing the minister on the bank's work on women's financial inclusion, digital transformation and support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Read more

• SECP proposes professional qualification framework for official liquidators

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has proposed a comprehensive professional qualification framework for official liquidators, interim administrators, and insolvency experts to modernize corporate restructuring in the country. Read more

• BFAGRO FY26 profit softens 16%

Barkat Frisian Agro Limited (PSX: BFAGRO) reported a 16% decline in its consolidated net profit for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2026, recording Rs624.39m compared to Rs741.69m in the preceding year. Read more

• Pakistan, IMF weigh BISP route for gas, electricity subsidies

Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) talks have centred on overhauling energy subsidies, with both sides weighing a shift from tariff-based relief to direct cash support for poor households as a way to stop circular debt from growing further. Read more

• PSX in September

The KSE-100 Index closed September 2026 on a weak note, as persistent geopolitical uncertainty and volatile oil prices kept investors on the defensive, and a heavy unwind in banking stocks turned a cautious month into the index’s steepest monthly decline since March. Read more

• Local mobile phone assembly down 57% MoM in August

Local mobile phone manufacturing/assembly in Pakistan fell 57% month-on-month (MoM) in August 2026 to 1.66 million units. Read more

• OMC sales jumps 7% MoM in September 2026

Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) in Pakistan recorded a 2% year-on-year (YoY) decline in September 2026, with total offtake falling to 1.35 million tons (mt) from 1.37mt in September 2025. Read more

• Finance Minister outlines six economic priorities at OICCI

Pakistan's economy is moving in the right direction, and that sustainable growth will have to be led by the private sector, while the Government continues to provide a conducive business environment, policy framework and investment ecosystem Read more

Copyright Mettis Link News