KSE-100 index closes at 114,148.45, marking a steep decline of 1,904.23 points or -1.64%
\nkarachi
\nThe capital market experienced sharp volatility on Wednesday, finishing in the red for the third consecutive day, driven by concerns over rising energy sector challenges, and uncertainty regarding gas price policies.
\nthe Pakistan Stock Exchange\u2019s (PSX) benchmark KSE-100 Index closing at 114,148.45, marking a steep decline of 1,904.23 points or -1.64%. The market fluctuated significantly, reaching an intraday high of 117,750.22 before hitting a low of 113,847.03.
\nSpeaking to Geo.tv, Ismail Iqbal Securities CEO Ahfaz Mustafa, attributed the decline to profit-taking and gas prices uncertainty. \u201cThe initial bounce can be attributed to an upwards correction from yesterday\u2019s 2,500-point drop and a recovery in energy stocks,\u201d
\nPrime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited the PSX as part of his day-long trip to Karachi, celebrating the market\u2019s achievements and to award PSX the title of the world\u2019s second-best-performing stock exchange in 2024.
\nSpeaking at the stock market event, the premier noted that the economy was gradually stabilising, and the journey toward sustainable growth had officially begun. He expressed optimism about meeting the government\u2019s tax targets for the next six months and emphasised the importance of economic growth in lifting the nation.
\nThe prime minister highlighted that interest rates had already been reduced to 13% and voiced his aspiration for further reductions to 6% in the future. He also assured stakeholders of the government\u2019s commitment to fulfilling its obligations under the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme, while envisioning a day when Pakistan would no longer rely on the IMF for economic support.
\nDeputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar reflected on the stock market\u2019s long-term integration efforts, describing it as a critical pillar of economic growth. He also emphasised the resilience of the financial markets, which had grown into a strong foundation for the national economy.
\nFinance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb highlighted the progress achieved through the IMF agreement, crediting it for providing economic stability. He also reiterated the government\u2019s commitment to reforming underperforming public-sector institutions as part of broader economic recovery efforts. Samiullah Tariq, Head of Research at Pak-Kuwait Investment Company, told Geo.tv: \u201c[The] market is rebounding as it had declined in the past two sessions. Also, [the] PM is also coming today to the stock exchange.\u201d
\nThe ongoing diversion of re-gasified liquefied natural gas (RLNG) to domestic consumers, which surged to 450mmcfd in January 2025 from 250mmcfd in December 2024, continues to weigh on the market. The Rs2,350 per MMBTU differential between domestic and RLNG import tariffs is expected to exacerbate the already significant circular debt in the energy sector, raising concerns about its financial impact on gas utilities.
\nThe IMF\u2019s proposed levy on gas supplies to industrial captive power plants (CPPs) remains a critical structural benchmark under the EFF.
\nThe KSE-100 Index ended Tuesday\u2019s session at 116,052.68, marking a decline of 202.44 points, or 0.17%, from the previous session\u2019s close of 116,255.12.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
KSE-100 index closes at 114,148.45, marking a steep decline of 1,904.23 points or -1.64% karachi The capital market experienced sharp volatility on Wednesday, finishing in the red for the third consecutive day, driven by concerns over rising energy sector challenges, and uncertainty regarding gas price policies. the Pakistan Stock Exchange\u2019s (PSX) benchmark KSE-100 Index closing […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":454179,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-454323","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-business"},"yoast_head":"\n