The fairness market rose on Thursday, opening 2026 on a agency footing and crossing the 176,000 mark for the primary time ever, after an upbeat Ministry of Finance (MoF) month-to-month outlook, contemporary new-year fund allocations, and ongoing privatisation momentum improved threat urge for food.
The Pakistan Inventory Alternate’s (PSX) benchmark KSE-100 Index climbed to an intraday excessive of 176,132.52, a brand new all-time intraday peak, gaining 2,078.2 factors, or 1.19%, from the earlier shut of 174,054.32. It witnessed a low of 174,437.70, nonetheless up 383.38 factors, or 0.22%.
“Yesterday, the Ministry of Finance offered a month-to-month financial outlook, which was optimistic in the direction of the LSM [large-scale manufacturing] and inflation numbers,” mentioned Huzaifa Riaz, Director, Mayari Securities (Pvt) Restricted.
“Additionally, contemporary fund allocations by establishments for the brand new 12 months have additionally resulted in a optimistic pattern on the PSX,” he added.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday touted progress on taxes, inflation and exterior buffers.
He mentioned revenues rose 26% in 2025, multiple million new taxpayers had been added, the tax-to-GDP ratio moved from “round 8% to over 10%,” and the present account swung to a $1.9 billion surplus from a $3.3 billion deficit.
He added that the foreign-exchange reserves climbed from $9.2 billion to $21.2 billion over two years.
He additionally cited the completion of the long-delayed privatisation of Pakistan Worldwide Airways (PIA) and First Girls Financial institution.
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb mentioned reforms had lowered inflation and improved funding prospects, including that 16 preliminary public choices (IPOs) are anticipated within the coming 12 months.
Individually, the Cupboard Committee on Privatisation (CCoP) accredited a Rs135 billion bid from an Arif Habib Company (AHC)-led consortium for a 75% stake in Pakistan Worldwide Airways Company Restricted (PIACL), recommending federal-cabinet approval as the method advances, in accordance with The News.
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar urged swift execution, saying privatisation may assist PIA recuperate its “glory days.”
On Wednesday (last buying and selling day of 2025), promoting stress clipped early good points and the KSE-100 closed at 174,054.32, down 418.47 factors, or 0.24%, after swinging between 175,232.90, up 760.11, and 173,564.33, down 908.46.
12 months-on-year, the benchmark rallied roughly 59,000 factors from 115,126.90 on December 31, 2024, amid macro stabilisation, easing inflation and stronger investor confidence.
