The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) witnessed robust gains on Monday as political stability improved following the conclusion of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protests. The benchmark KSE-100 index surged by 1,200 points, closing at 96,500—a new high in recent weeks.
The market sentiment was buoyed by investors’ optimism over reduced political tensions and the resumption of economic activity across major cities. Analysts noted that the end of road blockades and disruptions had restored confidence among domestic and foreign investors.
“Political clarity is always a catalyst for market recovery,” said Muhammad Ali, a senior financial analyst. “The cessation of protests has removed a significant overhang, paving the way for positive investor sentiment.”
Blue-chip stocks in the banking, cement, and energy sectors led the rally, with companies like Habib Bank Limited and DG Khan Cement recording significant gains. Foreign portfolio investment also showed an uptick as the rupee strengthened marginally against the dollar.
The PSX’s performance further reinforces its status as one of the best-performing markets in the region this year, with cumulative gains of over 25% in 2024.
Economists have urged the government to capitalize on the current market momentum by introducing investor-friendly policies and addressing macroeconomic challenges to ensure sustainable growth.
