Asian stock markets have shown a negative trend in the wake of American President Donald Trump’s recent address. Japan’s Nikkei Index has fallen by 1.5% while South Korea’s Kospi Index has dropped by 2.6%. In contrast, the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) has seen a rise of 3.3% in its business index. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index is also trading at a near 1% decrease.
According to experts, investors are adopting a cautious approach following the American policy announcements, resulting in increased pressure on the markets. Consumers have reported that a kilogram of LPG is being sold at an additional 200 rupees over the government-set price. The price of LPG has reached up to 530 rupees per kilogram in various districts.
During the last business week, the 100-index of the PSX dropped by 1308 points and closed at 150398. Vice Chairman of the All Pakistan Petroleum Pump Association, Noman Butt, has expressed his concern over the hike in the prices of petroleum products. The Federal Bureau of Statistics has released a weekly report on inflation.
The gold prices in Pakistan’s currency markets have risen again. Following the increase in fuel prices, the possibility of an increase in airfare has increased. The Power Division has released a three-month detail of the government’s surplus power package, stating that during December 2025 to February 2026, industrial and agricultural sectors have consumed 23% additional electricity.
Chairman of the Pakistan Public Transport Owners Association has said that the government should immediately withdraw the hike in diesel prices. According to statistics, exports have seen an 8% drop during July to March. The State Bank of Pakistan has made a major decision to strengthen the country’s youth financially.
The price of gold in Pakistan’s currency markets has reversed its trend. The ongoing war in the Middle East has led to an increase in global trade costs due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The British magazine ‘The Economist’ has released a list of countries facing the “most severe consequences” of the oil crisis caused by the war in the Middle East.
A crucial meeting was held at the Karachi Port regarding old containers trapped there. The Iranian government has been given 10 days to negotiate or open the Hormuz Strait, and the time is about to expire. US President Donald Trump has stated that there are 48 hours left. Following the US and Israeli rocket attacks on Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant, Russia’s state-owned nuclear company has removed the remaining 198 employees from the plant.
The writer has noted that Pakistan has maintained its relations with China, with US President Trump preferring Pakistan’s Field Marshal as a mediator, while Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi faces diplomatic defeat. According to news agency, Hamida Sulemani and her daughter have been taken into custody after their green card was revoked. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard has claimed to have successfully targeted an Israeli ship using a drone.
