On Tuesday, as trading resumed after the Eid ul Adha holidays, stocks witnessed a rise, with investors reacting to the release of the Pakistan Economic Survey and the anticipation surrounding the federal budget announcement later in the day. The Pakistan Stock Exchange’s (PSX) benchmark KSE-100 Index closed at 122,024.44 points, marking an increase of 383.44 points, or 0.32%, from its previous close of 121,641.00.
During the trading session, the index ascended to an intraday high of 122,611.53, registering a gain of 970.53 points, or 0.80%. The session’s lowest point was recorded at 121,589.90, reflecting a marginal decline of -51.10 points, or -0.04%.
The Pakistan Stock Exchange’s (PSX) benchmark KSE-100 Index ascended to an intraday high of 122,611.53, gaining 970.53 points, or 0.80%, before retracting to a low of 121,589.90, indicating a marginal drop of 51.10 points, or 0.04%.
“Stocks reached an all-time high, led by blue-chip scrips, as investors weighed the Rs17.6 trillion record budget outlay alongside the government’s approval of PSDP at Rs800 billion in the federal budget FY26, which is to be announced today,” stated Ahsan Mehanti, Managing Director and CEO of Arif Habib Commodities.
He further added, “Surging global crude oil prices, terms to resolve the over Rs2 trillion gas circular debt crisis, and expectations regarding the rationalization of industrial power tariffs in the federal budget played a catalytic role in the bullish activity at PSX.”
In the Economic Survey 2024–25, presented on Monday, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb revealed that Pakistan’s economy grew by 2.7% in the outgoing fiscal year, which was slightly below the original target of 3.6%. Inflation eased to 4.6%, while exports increased by 7%, and IT exports reached $2.8 billion. Freelancers contributed $400 million in earnings.
He also reported a current account surplus of $1.9 billion for the July–April period and a 26% jump in revenue collection. Remittances saw a $10 billion increase over two years.
The federal budget 2025-26 is scheduled to be tabled in parliament later today. The proposed outlay stands at Rs17.6 trillion, with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) tasked with collecting Rs14.02 trillion in taxes — an increase from the revised estimates of Rs12.33 trillion in FY25.
Samiullah Tariq, Head of Research at Pak-Kuwait Investment Company, commented: “Positive news flow regarding the budget is driving the market, including news of lower tax rates on corporates, a reduction in super tax, a crackdown on non-filers, and the continuation of the IMF programme.”
According to the Economic Survey, the KSE-100 Index surged by 50.2% over the fiscal year, supported by macroeconomic stability, declining interest rates, strong corporate earnings, and a successful International Monetary Fund (IMF) review. The PSX outperformed several major global bourses, with six new company listings bringing the total to 527 by March 2025.
The previous session, held before the Eid holidays, had seen the index close at 121,641 points, reflecting a decrease of -157.86 points, or -0.13%.
