Karachi: A new record of bullishness was set on the Pakistan Stock Exchange today, as a result of which the index reached a new high.
The market opened trading today with a huge surge of Rs 1,346, as a result of which the KSE 100 index rose to a new high of 183,754 points.
Later, the market experienced a bearish trend, due to which the index gradually fell by 606 and 853 points to reach 181,555 points. In the second half of the trading day, a sudden surge of 2,661 points led to the KSE 100 index rising to a new high of 185,069 points. However, by the end of the trading session, the index closed at a new high of 185,062 points with a surge of 2,653 points.
Read More: Pakistan’s Stock Market Sees Significant Decline Amid Economic Uncertainty
It should be noted that the PSX witnessed a spectacular rally yesterday, when the index rose to a historic high of 4,210 and crossed the psychological level of 183,000. However, the stock exchange later closed at 182,408 points.
Gold has become more expensive; Prices in global and local markets have increased significantly today
Gold has become more expensive due to a significant increase in prices in global and local markets for the second consecutive day today.
The price of gold per ounce in the international bullion market increased by $32 on Tuesday, after which the new global price reached $4,456 per ounce.
On the other hand, in the local bullion markets, the price of 24-carat gold per tola increased by Rs3,200, reaching Rs467,962, while the price of gold per 10 grams increased by Rs2,743 to Rs401,201.
Similarly, the price of silver per tola in the country increased by Rs 338 to Rs 8,361, while the price of silver per 10 grams increased by Rs 290 to Rs 7,168.
It should be noted that a sudden increase in the price of gold was recorded yesterday, according to which gold in the global market became $ 4,424 per ounce, while at the local level it became expensive by Rs 9,200 per tola and Rs 7,888 per 10 grams.
Economic Stability, 2026 a Decisive Year for the Country’s Economy
The new year 2026 could prove to be decisive for the Pakistani economy. After economic stability in 2025, the real test is whether this stability can be converted into sustainable and inclusive growth or not?
Over the past decade, the growth rate of gross domestic product (GDP) has barely kept pace with the pace of population growth, resulting in stagnant incomes and widening the gap with regional countries.
If stability does not translate into growth in employment and incomes, public support for reforms may weaken. Therefore, the big challenge for 2026 is to move beyond stability and adopt the path of inclusive growth.
Encouragingly, there is a limited but significant window of opportunity for this purpose. Low global commodity prices, including oil, have kept inflation under control, record remittances have supported the current account, and the strong performance of the stock market is a reflection of improved investor confidence.
There is a need to transform these favorable conditions into sustainable development that reaches all segments of society.
To this end, four priorities are needed: revitalization of industry and agriculture, reduction of government intervention in the services sector, deeper integration with the global economy, and reform of the governance system.
For industrial development, there will be a shift from dependence on textiles to the production of high-value engineering products such as mobile phones, defense equipment, and consumer durables.
Despite its capabilities in defense production, Pakistan’s share in global defense exports is very low, although global interest in platforms such as the JF-17 Thunder indicates significant opportunities.
Similarly, in mobile phones and consumer durables, an export-oriented strategy will have to be adopted, moving beyond import substitution. CPEC Phase II provides a significant opportunity for industrial upgradation, technology transfer, and export growth. Agriculture remains among the weakest sectors, mainly due to structural issues.
Opening up the sector to competition, facilitating access to modern seeds, technology and inputs is essential. Heavy subsidies on traditional crops are holding back high-value sectors such as horticulture, pulses and oilseeds, where Pakistan faces a large trade deficit.
Livestock, which accounts for about 60 percent of agricultural GDP, is also hampered by government dominance in the services sector, especially telecom and energy. Prioritizing investment can improve broadband, 5G and energy distribution.
The IMF’s Governance and Corruption Assessment Report has clearly identified the sectors in which reforms are needed. If weaknesses are addressed, economic growth could increase by 5 to 6.5 percent over current trends in five years.
