MG Morning Breeze: Updates to Skim before Market

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

• IMF board meeting expected next month

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is expected to hold a meeting of its Executive Board next month; however, no specific date or time has been scheduled yet. Read more

• Petrol price slashed by Rs7.06, diesel by Rs3.71 per litre

The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has revised the ex-depot prices of petroleum products, reducing the price of Motor Spirit (petrol) by Rs7.06 per litre and High-Speed Diesel (HSD) by Rs3.71 per litre, effective November 5, 2026. Read more

• ECC approves Rs358bn grants for defense, water projects

The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet has approved supplementary grants worth billions of rupees for defense services, water sector infrastructure and other key initiatives, while endorsing several measures related to imports, energy supply and youth financing. Read more

• Pakistan secures $3bn Saudi loan rollover

Pakistan has secured a rollover of $3bn in loans from Saudi Arabia, providing support to the country’s external financing position, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said on Wednesday. Read more

• Govt urged to automate passport services, cut delays

Pakistan’s passport issuance system is set to undergo further modernization, with a focus on advanced technology, digital services and automation to improve efficiency and facilitate citizens. Read more

• PSX Closing Bell: A Rally Worth the Roar

The benchmark KSE-100 Index surged on Wednesday, gaining 3,994.62 points or 2.38% to close at 172,013.48, as broad-based buying supported the market amid easing oil prices and developments surrounding the U.S. midterm elections. Read more

• Trump faces fresh Iran war scrutiny after Democrats seize Congress

The Democratic Party’s victory in both chambers of the U.S. Congress could push President Donald Trump to place greater emphasis on foreign policy during his remaining two years in office, while increasing pressure on his administration over the ongoing conflicts in Iran and Ukraine. Read more

• PKR maintains 275-session winning run, closes at 276.7

The Pakistani rupee (PKR) continued its upward trajectory against the US dollar on Wednesday, marking its 275th consecutive session of appreciation and accumulating gains of Rs4.7210, or 1.71%. Read more

• Airlink enters EV market with 11-model AirV electric bike lineup

The official launch of “AirV,” an electric bike brand of Air Link Communication Limited (PSX: AIRLINK), is scheduled for today, November 4, 2026, in Lahore, marking the company’s strategic entry into Pakistan’s electric vehicle industry. Read more

• Gold price in Pakistan rises Rs13,900 per tola

Gold price in Pakistan increased on Wednesday, with 24-karat gold being sold at Rs426,036 per tola, up Rs13,900. Read more

• When the Law Says “Do Not Deduct”: Is a Section 159 Exemption Certificate Still Required?

The question whether a certificate under section 159 of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001 [the Ordinance] is invariably required before a payment may be made without deduction is not new. Read more

• PSX to remain closed on November 9 for Iqbal Day

Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) will remain closed on Monday, November 9, 2026, on account of Allama Iqbal Day. Read more

• FFC deepens farmer connectivity

Fauji Fertilizer Company (FFC) is accelerating its strategic modernization and expanding its footprint across Pakistan’s agricultural landscape through major digital and commercial milestones. Read more

• Refinery sector profit surges 20-fold to Rs57bn in 1QFY27

Pakistan’s refinery sector posted a combined net profit of Rs57.06bn in the first quarter ended September 30, 2026 (1QFY27), up nearly 20-fold from Rs2.90bn in the corresponding period last year (1QFY26). Read more

• Pakistan’s stock market investor base surpasses 683,000: SECP

The number of investors in Pakistan’s stock market has exceeded 683,000, with 26,843 new accounts opened at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) during October 2026, according to data released by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP). Read more

• Türkiye to back greater Pakistani mango imports, Basmati branding

Pakistan, Türkiye have agreed to deepen trade ties, with Ankara agreeing to send a delegation of officials to Pakistan to review existing bilateral trade mechanisms and explore practical steps to improve commercial relations. Read more

• SBP declares November 9 holiday for Allama Iqbal Day

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) will remain closed on Monday, November 9, 2026, on account of the public holiday declared by the Government of Pakistan to observe Allama Iqbal Day. Read more

• Govt to shift KP load management from feeders to transformers

The government has agreed to reduce load shedding in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and extend hours of electricity supply to high-loss areas that previously faced prolonged outages, as it rolls out the Transformer-Based Load Management System across the province. Read more

• Govt to introduce competition in LPG sector

The government has decided to introduce competition in the LPG sector to make the commodity available to consumers at the lowest possible cost, replacing the quota-based system for locally produced LPG with a transparent auction mechanism and allowing the private sector to import. Read more

• Pakistan's cement dispatches edge up to 5m tons in October

Pakistan's total cement dispatches increased by 0.37% year-on-year to 4.810 million tons in October 2026, compared to 4.792m tons in the same month last year, according to data released by the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA). Read more

• Oil prices remain largely steady amid US election uncertainty

Oil prices declined in early Wednesday trading as investors monitored the outcome of the US midterm elections and assessed their potential implications for Middle East peace negotiations, while an unexpected decline in US crude inventories provided some support to the market. Read more

• Asian markets tumble, Nikkei plunges 4.45%

Asian markets traded mixed on Wednesday, with Japan’s Nikkei 225 leading regional losses after tumbling more than 4%, as renewed concerns over artificial intelligence stocks dampened investor sentiment ahead of the U.S. midterm election results. Read more

• NBP issues foreign exchange rates

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

• Gold firm at $3,939 with US midterm results in focus

Gold prices were mostly steady on Wednesday as a weaker US dollar lent support ahead of the US midterm election results, while investors held back for the non-farm payrolls report due later this week for cues on the Federal Reserve’s policy direction. Read more

• Govt urges SMEs to make full use of EFS

The government has made it clear that the eligibility criteria for inclusion in any category of the Export Facilitation Scheme (EFS) will be applied uniformly, with no exemptions from standard operating procedures, while urging small and medium-sized exporters to make full use of the scheme. Read more

• Pakistan eyes bigger share of Saudi rice market

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia have agreed to put the newly set up joint technical mechanism to work in removing trade and regulatory hurdles and speeding up cooperation in agriculture, livestock, trade and investment, with Islamabad pushing to raise its share in the Saudi rice market, where it currently supplies only around 10% of imports against roughly 90% from India. Read more

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