Morning News: Reko Diq boosts Barrick’s gold reserves by 23pc - By Vector Research

Feb 7 2025


Vector Securities


  • Canadian miner Barrick Gold’s overall proven and probable gold reserves jumped 23 per cent to 17.4 million ounces at the end of 2024, lifted by its Reko Diq copper-gold project, the company said on Thursday. The company added 13 million ounces of gold to its probable reserves on an attributable basis following the completion of its feasibility study at Reko Diq.
  • Pakistan and China have agreed to deepen trade liberalisation under the ChinaPakistan Free Trade Agreement (Phase-II), take China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) upgraded project to new heights and actively explore new bilateral trade facilitation measures. The two sides agreed to conduct further consultation on trade liberalisation under the framework of the Phase-II of China-Pakistan FTA, and actively explore the possible bilateral concessional arrangements based on the spirit of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation.
  • Foreign exchange reserves held by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) rose by $46 million in the week ending January 31, reaching $11.42 billion, according to data released on Thursday. The total liquid foreign reserves held by the country stood at $16.04 billion, with net reserves held by commercial banks amounting to $4.62 billion.

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Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGP): FY24 Corporate Briefing Takeaways - By Taurus Research

Jun 5 2025


Taurus Securities


  • SNGP, largest integrated natural gas utility in Pakistan, posted a record profit of ~PKR 18.97Bn in FY24, supported by all-time high sales of ~PKR 1Bn.
  • Pakistan’s energy mix includes 30% natural gas (69% from SNGP, 31% from SSGC), 11% RLNG, 21% oil, 15% coal, 12% hydropower, 7% nuclear, and 4% from LPG and renewables combined.
  • SNGPs ownership is split between 32% direct and 42% indirect Government holding, with the remaining 26% held by the public and others.
Autos: May-2025 sales to record highest levels since Dec-2022 - By JS Research

Jun 5 2025


JS Global Capital


  • We preview automobile sales volumes for May-2025, expecting the three major players including Indus Motors Company Ltd (INDU), Honda Atlas Cars Ltd (HCAR), and Pak Suzuki Motor Company Ltd, representing 84% of the four-wheeler market, to post a major volumetric growth of 44%/49% YoY/MoM, reaching ~13.3k units.
  • INDU and HCAR are expected to lead monthly growth with volumes up 2.4x and 69% YoY, respectively. The 49% MoM increase is largely due to delivery delays led by protest on highways over canal projects. Overall, we anticipate a 38% YoY growth for our sample in 11MFY25.
  • We highlight key risks in the FY26 budget to include a potential carbon tax on petrol vehicles, reduced average tariffs on imported cars, extension of used car import age limit from 3 to 5 years, and higher sales tax on vehicles up to 800cc – all of which could significantly impact the auto industry sales.
Economy: Pre-Budget FY26 Market Sentiments - By Chase Research

Jun 5 2025



  • Chase Securities conducted a pre-budget survey in the run up to the annual budget announcement.
  • A total of 44 participants provided their insights on key issues.
  • We believe that these insights are key to identifying market sentiments and gauging the confidence in the equity market.
  • 27% of the participants expect KSE-100 to be above 150,000 points by the end of June 2026.
Technical Outlook: KSE-100; Upside to continue - By JS Research

Jun 5 2025


JS Global Capital


  • Bulls continued to dominate the session as the KSE-100 Index gained 1,348 points DoD, closing at the 121,799 level. Trading volumes stood at 711mn shares, up from 578mn shares previously. We believe a break above 121,882 (yesterday’s high) will sustain the uptrend, with 123,375 and 125,947 as the next targets. On the downside, support is seen between 120,900 and 121,170, with a break below this range likely to trigger a corrective phase. Both the RSI and MACD are trending upward, reinforcing a positive outlook. We recommend investors 'Buy on dips,' while keeping a stop-loss below the 120,896 level. The support and resistance are at 121,169 and 122,155, respectively.
Morning News: Pakistan, ADB sign $300m ‘Subprogram II’ loan - By WE Reserach

Jun 5 2025



  • The government of Pakistan and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have signed a $300 million loan agreement under the “Improved Resource Mobilization and Utilization Reform Programme (Subprogramme-II),” aimed at supporting Pakistan’s macroeconomic stabilization and fiscal consolidation through structural reforms in trade, revenue generation, and capital market development. The agreement, signed by Dr. Kazim Niaz and ADB Country Director Emma Fan, is part of a broader $800 million financing package that includes a $500 million Policy Based Guarantee (PBG) to help raise $1 billion in commercial financing, reinforcing Pakistan’s efforts toward economic recovery and sustainability.
  • At a lively early Independence Day celebration hosted by the US Embassy in Islamabad, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced a “new era” in US-Pakistan relations, emphasizing shared democratic values and historical ties dating back to 1947. Speaking to a crowd of political leaders, diplomats, and civil society members, Sharif acknowledged America’s longstanding development support while highlighting Pakistan’s heavy sacrifices in the fight against terrorism—over 90,000 lives lost and $150 billion in economic damage. He also criticized India over a recent conflict, calling the Pahalgam incident a false-flag operation and accusing New Delhi of civilian targeting, while affirming Pakistan’s military response. Despite tensions, Sharif expressed a desire for regional peace and praised former US President Trump for his role in de-escalating hostilities. Acting US Ambassador Natalie Baker echoed the spirit of partnership, speaking in Urdu and highlighting shared values and mutual respect.
  • Pakistan’s finance team is in negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to maintain the current 5% Federal Excise Duty (FED) on fertilisers and drop a proposed 5% FED on pesticides in the 2025–26 budget, following intervention by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The Prime Minister has also directed the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to reassess the proposed import tariff rationalisation plan to prevent negative impacts on the import bill. While the IMF appears to have relented on fertiliser and pesticide taxes after Pakistan argued these could hurt agricultural productivity—especially alongside the introduction of the Agriculture Income Tax (AIT)—it remains firm on imposing General Sales Tax (GST) in the formerly exempt FATA/PATA regions. Despite previous political efforts to preserve the exemption, a reduced GST rate of 12% is now expected to be implemented there in the upcoming fiscal year.
Morning News: IMF wants ‘strict compliance’ as budget enters final stages - By Vector Research

Jun 5 2025


Vector Securities


  • Amid final consultations on the budget, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) wants strict compliance with programme requirements, including the coverage of agriculture income tax in provincial budgets to ensure effective collection starting no later than September 2025. The Fund also does not agree with a plan for incentivising enhanced power consumption desired by the federal government to absorb surplus capacity.
  • The government of Pakistan and Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Wednesday signed a $300 million loan agreement for the “Improved Resource Mobilization and Utilization Reform Programme (Subprogramme-II).
  • The National Economic Council (NEC) under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Wednesday approved the national development outlay of Rs4.224 trillion (Rs4,224 billion), including federal Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) of Rs1,000 billion for the next budget. The real GDP growth has been envisaged at 4.2 per cent of GDP and CPIbased inflation at 7.5 per cent for FY2025-26.
Cement: May'25 local offtakes reach 21-month high amid improvement in construction activity - By AKD Research

Jun 4 2025


AKD Securities


  • Cement dispatches for May’25 clocked in at 4.65mn tons, an increase of 9%YoY, driven by 9%YoY surge in local offtakes, while exports increased by 7%YoY.
  • Industry-wide capacity utilization increased to 66% (up 4.6ppt YoY), highest in 21 months.
  • We maintain a positive outlook on the sector on the back of anticipated gross margin expansion due to improvement in retention prices and declining power cost, supported by declining interest cost.
Fertilizers: Slight demand pick-up ahead of the Budget - By JS Research

Jun 4 2025


JS Global Capital


  • As per provisional figures, Urea off-take during May 2025 is expected to clock in at 420k tons, up 6% YoY/67% MoM. This marks the first YoY growth in Urea sales volumes after a sustained period of weak performance since CYTD. While DAP volumes likely to arrive at 94k tons (+2.3x YoY). CYTD urea/ DAP sales are likely to post 31%/20% YoY decline.
  • Company-wise, Fauji Fertilizer Company (FFC) is expected to post Urea off-take of 206k tons in May-2025, down 28% YoY. In contrast, Engro Fertilizers (EFERT) is expected to post 86% YoY growth reflecting a low base-effect, while the company is also expected to surpass the CYTD monthly run-rate.
  • Urea inventory is expected to reach an 8-year high of 1.3mn tons in May-2025, similar to the levels seen during the same month in 2017/ 2020, which were later offloaded due to exports / strong sales in latter months. Although the chances for govt allowing exports are low at this point, however, any such allowance would favor EFERT more than the peers.
Refinery: GRMs Sharply Recovering - By Sherman Research

Jun 4 2025


Sherman Securities


  • After plunging to lowest level of US$4.5 per barrel in April 25, Gross Refining Margins (GRMs) of local refineries significantly recovered to US$9.3 per barrel during ongoing month of June. This is positive for local refineries as their earnings are directly linked with changes in GRMs.
  • Just to recall, highest GRM was recorded at US$30 per barrel during July 2022 while average GRMs during last 5 years stood at US$7 per barrel.
  • GRM is the sum of the weighted average spread of products which a refinery is yielding on every barrel of crude it processes. Major products include Diesel (HSD), Gasoline (MS) and Furnace oil (FO).
Cement: May’25 dispatches up 39%MoM - By Taurus Research

Jun 4 2025


Taurus Securities


  • Total Cement dispatches in May’25 up 39%MoM on the back of reviving construction demand i.e. Domestic sales went up 46% MoM to 3.6Mn tons. Whereas, total export sales up 20%MoM on account of better retention prices and surge in demand post Indo-Pak de-escalation which benefited North Players, mainly. On a YoY basis, total domestic sales were up 9% in May’25 as lower interest rates and record low inflation have supported players to improve their margins and increased volumes. Although, higher duties and taxes on the cement sector have reduced the overall demand, resulting in overcapacity.
  • North-based domestic sales increased 42%MoM in May’25 due to surge in the construction activities amid seasonal demand and better volumes i.e. lower retail prices compared to the South region. Wherein, export sales were up significantly by 1.1xMoM on the revival of regional sales post Indo-Pak deescalation. South-based domestic sales surged by 64%MoM in May’25 amid revival of the construction demand. On the export front, South-based exports were up 5%MoM, respectively.
  • On a YoY basis, North-based domestic sales surged 10%YoY in May’25 due to pick up in construction demand on the back of lower interest rates and record low inflation. Similarly, Northbased exports were up significantly by 48%YoY, reflecting higher demand from the export regions. On the South front, domestic sales during May’25 increased by 5%YoY. However, export sales dropped 2%YoY to 0.75Mn tons, respectively.
Morning News: IMF wants ‘strict compliance’ as budget enters final stages - By Vector Research

Jun 5 2025


Vector Securities


  • Amid final consultations on the budget, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) wants strict compliance with programme requirements, including the coverage of agriculture income tax in provincial budgets to ensure effective collection starting no later than September 2025. The Fund also does not agree with a plan for incentivising enhanced power consumption desired by the federal government to absorb surplus capacity.
  • The government of Pakistan and Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Wednesday signed a $300 million loan agreement for the “Improved Resource Mobilization and Utilization Reform Programme (Subprogramme-II).
  • The National Economic Council (NEC) under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Wednesday approved the national development outlay of Rs4.224 trillion (Rs4,224 billion), including federal Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) of Rs1,000 billion for the next budget. The real GDP growth has been envisaged at 4.2 per cent of GDP and CPIbased inflation at 7.5 per cent for FY2025-26.
Morning News: ADB approves $800m financial package for Pakistan - By Vector Research

Jun 4 2025


Vector Securities


  • The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved an $800 million financial package for Pakistan under the Resource Mobilization Reform Program (Subprogram-II). According to the Ministry of Finance, the package includes a $300m policy-based loan (PBL) and a $500m program-based guarantee (PBG).
  • The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has objected to the government's contentious proposals to impose a capital value tax on moveable assets and to slap a 5% federal excise duty on one-day-old chicks — measures that underscore the business-as-usual approach of the tax machinery. While the IMF did not endorse the tax on moveable assets and one-day-old chicks, it did agree to the imposition of a tax on digital services aimed at raising Rs10 billion in revenue, according to sources in the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). There is also a budget proposal to increase the tax on dividend income of mutual funds from 15% to 20%.
  • The Ministry of Commerce has expressed its inability to achieve the ambitious export target of $60 billion by 2029 set by the Prime Minister, citing a range of international and domestic challenges, according to official documents. 
Morning News: Budget talks with IMF successful: PM - By Vector Research

Jun 3 2025


Vector Securities


  • Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Monday that talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) over the forthcoming federal budget had been successful, paving the way for a new phase of economic growth. Talking to a select group of journalists, Sharif said the government had stabilised the economy and would now shift its focus toward sustained development.
  • With an improved 4.2 per cent economic growth forecast for next year, the Ministry of Planning and Development cautioned on Monday about the re-emergence of external sector pressure amid easing import control and debt repayments.
  • The Consumer Price Index (CPI)-based inflation increased to 3.5 percent on Year-onYear basis in May 2025 as compared to 0.3 percent of the previous month and 11.8 percent in May 2024, says the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). Average CPI in the country remained at 4.61 percent during the first 10 months (July-May) 2024-25 compared to 24.52 percent during the same period of last fiscal year
Morning News: Trade talks; Pakistani officials coming next week: US resident - By Vector Research

Jun 2 2025


Vector Securities


  • US President Donald Trump said on Friday representatives from Pakistan are coming to the United States next week as the South Asian country seeks to make a deal on tariffs. Pakistan faces a potential 29 percent tariff on its exports to the United States due to a $3 billion trade surplus with the world’s biggest economy, under tariffs announced by Washington last month on countries around the world.
  • The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has sought an explanation from the government for not taking it into confidence while setting aside 2,000 megawatts of electricity for Bitcoin mining and AI data centres. Sources told that IMF officials will take up the issue with the government during a virtual interaction. They stated that the IMF has asked as to how such allocation could be made without deciding the legal status of cryptocurrency.
  • The IMF and Pakistan are heading towards evolving consensus on proposed reduction in tax rates for the salaried class in the budget for 2025-26, it has been learnt. However, it will be a challenge for the budget makers to achieve Rs14.2 trillion target in the next budget, as the basis for next fiscal year’s target has seen a widening tax shortfall in meeting downward-revised tax collection target of Rs12.33 trillion.
Morning News: Fitch upgrades country’s rating; Macroeconomic stabilisation acknowledged - By Vector Research

May 30 2025


Vector Securities


  • Pakistan’s economy has been upgraded by Fitch Ratings, acknowledging macroeconomic stabilisation in the outgoing fiscal year, supported by improved fiscal performance, current account surplus and easing inflation, says Monthly Economic Update released by Finance Division on Thursday. Revenue growth outpaced expenditure, reducing the fiscal deficit and further strengthening the primary surplus. The current account posted a $1.9 billion surplus, with a robust growth in exports and remittances. Inflation declined to a record low, paving the way for a more accommodative monetary policy stance.
  • Pakistan’s Finance Ministry expects inflation to ease to between 1.5% and 2% year-onyear in May, before picking up to 3%-4% in June, according to the ministry’s monthly economic report released on Thursday.
  • In a landmark move toward sustainable and Shariah-compliant public financing, the Government of Pakistan has issued its first sovereign Green Sukuk, with strategic backing from Meezan Bank and the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX). Meezan Bank played a pivotal role in this milestone transaction, acting as Joint Financial and Shariah Advisor. The Bank also led the development of the Sustainable Investment (SI) Sukuk Framework, approved by the federal cabinet in April 2025.
Morning News: Consensus eludes Pakistan, IMF over revenue, expenditure - By Vector Research

May 29 2025


Vector Securities


  • Pakistan and the IMF have so far been unable to reach a consensus on the total revenue and expenditure framework for the upcoming budget. Although both sides held informal virtual parleys on Tuesday, nothing concrete has been finalised so far. With change of guard at the IMF, as Ms. Eva assumed the charge as Mission Chief following the completion of Nathan Porter’s tenure, the finalisation of budgetary numbers has not yet been accomplished. However, both sides have kick-started virtual talks with the anticipation to undertake number crunching on revenue and expenditure side by the end of the current week. Then the IMF will have to endorse the proposed revenue measures in order to jack up the collection to the desired mark for the next financial year 2025-26.
  • China has assured Pakistan of relending $3.7 billion in commercial loans, denominated in Chinese currency, before the end of June, including $2.4 billion that is maturing next month, in a move that will help keep the foreign exchange reserves in double-digits. Unlike in the past, when Beijing has given loans in non-Chinese currency too, this time Pakistan's strategic ally has decided not to give loans in the United States currency as part of its drive to decouple the economy from the dollar; the government sources told. They said that China gave these assurances during recent meetings, aimed at securing the refinancing of loans maturing between March and June 2025.
  • The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has purchased $5.9 billion from the currency market since June 2024 to bolster its reserves despite receiving support from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and friendly countries. The higher remittance inflows provided sufficient room for the State Bank to purchase dollars, but it was unable to achieve the target it had projected for itself. Following unexpectedly higher inflows from overseas Pakistanis, the SBP revised its foreign exchange reserves target to $14 billion and remittances to $38bn for FY25.
Morning News: IMF in disagreement over key targets, subsidies - By Vector Research

May 27 2025


Vector Securities


  • The Finance Ministry said on Monday that the presentation of the Federal Budget 2025-26 has been delayed from June 2 to June 10 due to disagreements with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) over key budgetary figures, including subsidy allocations.
  • Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif said that the bilateral trade between Pakistan and Iran which stood at $3billion would be taken to $10 billion volume in the next few years, as there was immense potential of growth. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday departed to Iran after concluding his two-day official visit to Turkiye.
  • Despite projected remittance inflows of $38 billion in the current fiscal year (FY25), Pakistan’s per expatriate remittance remains significantly lower than that of peer countries. “Although remittances have grown at a compound annual rate of 6.1 per cent from 2013 to 2023, per expatriate remittance remains low in comparison to other countries in the region,” said a report released by the Policy Research and Advisory Council (PRAC) on Monday.
Morning News: IMF not too ‘keen’ on relief steps in budget, links them to FBR revenue - By Vector Research

May 23 2025


Vector Securities


  • Signaling its reluctance to grant a major relief to the salaried, property, beverage, and export sectors, the visiting IMF team has linked the FBR’s tax collection target with reduction in expenditures. This is the crux of the ongoing parleys, as the team is going to accomplish its visit on Friday (today). However, the Fund will make an exception for the defence budget, as Islamabad will take an appropriate decision to hike the defence spending in view of the current geopolitical environment.
  • Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday met with a delegation from the World Bank, led by Managing Director of Operations Anna Bjerde, to discuss the Bank’s development investment and cooperation in Pakistan. The prime minister said the government is taking practical steps to maximize benefits from the World Bank’s investment under the Country Partnership Framework. He said the framework is expected to bring more than $20 billion in development financing to Pakistan.
  • Federal Minister for Power Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari met with a delegation led by Anna Bjerde, Managing Director Operations of the World Bank, to discuss Pakistan's ongoing power sector reforms. According to a press statement issued on Thursday, the minister shared plans to launch a competitive electricity market soon, noting that preparatory work is underway. An Independent System and Market Operator (ISMO) has been established, and experienced professionals are being appointed. The government will no longer be the sole electricity purchaser.
Morning News: IMF yet to decide on budget relief request - By Vector Research

May 22 2025


Vector Securities


  • Seeking effective and practical steps for the realisation of agriculture income tax and improvements in retail sector taxation, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has yet to take a position on Pakistan’s request for relief measures in the upcoming budget, due on June 2.
  • Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb said that Pakistan’s exports to United States of America (USA) is $4.4 billion as compared to imports of US$1.9 billion with the trade surplus of $2.5 billion during current Financial Year 2024-25 (up to March).
  • Pakistan’s total investment plunged into the lowest range despite a slight improvement in the outgoing fiscal year 2024-25, mainly due to the assumption of reliance on increased public investments. Private sector investment stagnated, standing at 9.1 percent in the current fiscal year compared to 9 percent in the last financial year.
Morning News: Q3FY25; Economy posts 2.4pc growth - By Vector Research

May 21 2025


Vector Securities


  • Pakistan’s economy recorded a 2.4 percent growth in the third quarter (January– March) of fiscal year 2024–25, as reported by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) on Tuesday. Despite a 1.14 percent contraction in the industrial sector during the third quarter (January–March) of fiscal year 2024–25, Pakistan’s economy achieved a 2.4 per cent GDP growth, according to the PBS following the 113th National Accounts Committee (NAC) meeting.
  • The World Bank (WB) has deferred the approval of additional International Development Association (IDA) credit in the equivalent amount of $70 million to Pakistan Raises Revenue (PRR) project, which was aimed at providing additional investment financing to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), in support of its new Transformation Plan, official sources revealed.
  • The Petroleum Division (PD) has sent a summary to the Cabinet Committee for Disposal of Legislative Cases (CCLC), seeking carbon levy of Rs2.50 per litre on petrol, diesel and furnace oil by June end for budgetary year FY26. The carbon levy will be hiked to Rs5 per litre on POL products in FY27.