The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) made history on Friday, crossing the 160,000-point mark for the first time as investors showed confidence following the successful conclusion of the IMF review for the release of the second installment of the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) worth $7 billion, and the government’s efforts to tackle circular debt. Investor sentiment was further boosted by the high-profile meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir with US President Donald Trump at the White House. During Friday’s opening session, the PSX KSE-100 Index gained 1,114.57 points (0.69%), closing at an all-time high of 160,394 points. Out of 385 companies traded, 242 recorded gains, 116 faced losses, and 27 remained unchanged. Analysts attributed the rally to the government’s landmark agreement to address Rs1.225 trillion circular debt in the power sector. The deal, finalized under the Prime Minister’s Task Force with input from the State Bank of Pakistan, 18 commercial banks, and the Pakistan Banks Association (PBA), includes restructuring Rs660 billion of existing debt and providing Rs565 billion in new financing for power generation companies to clear outstanding dues. The bullish trend had already begun on Thursday, with the KSE-100 Index rising 1,043.42 points (0.66%) to close at 159,280.09 points. Top-traded companies included K-Electric Limited with 406,344,273 shares at Rs7.38 each, Cnergyico PK with 207,134,630 shares at Rs8.85, and WorldCall Telecom with 174,061,613 shares at Rs1.76 per share. The top gainers were Rafhan Maize Products Company Limited, share prices of increased by Rs70.39 to close at Rs9,594.95, and Nestle Pakistan Limited, which rose by Rs35.60 to close at Rs8,435.00. The major losers were PIA Holding Company LimitedB, which declined by Rs1,556.18 to close at Rs28,042.82, and Khyber Textile Mills Limited, which fell by Rs184.99 to close at Rs1,924.82.
Share Prices Soar to Historic 160,000-Point Milestone
