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KSE-100 index plunges over 650 points on fears of monetary tightening

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  • KSE-100 index closes at 42,440.25 after losing 1.53%.
  • Delay in tough economic decisions and political uncertainty have unnerved investors.
  • Shares of 314 companies were traded during the session.

KARACHI: The benchmark KSE-100 index of the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) plunged on Monday, the first day of the rollover week, as an across-the-board selling spree pushed share prices into the red zone.

The delay in tough economic decisions by the coalition government and heightened political uncertainty has unnerved investors. Moreover, the Pakistani rupee remains in a downward spiral with the US dollar gaining another 0.39% on Monday to close at 200.93.

The index remained jittery over concerns regarding monetary policy tightening which was to be announced after the session.

It is worth mentioning that contrary to market expectations the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) raised the benchmark interest rate by 150 basis points to 13.75% for the next six weeks in order to stabilise inflation and economic growth.

Moreover, uncertainty regarding the ongoing talks between Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission for the revival of the stalled multibillion-dollar programme took a toll on the market.

At close, the benchmark KSE-100 index closed at 42,440.25 after losing 660.46 points or 1.53%.

A report from Arif Habib Limited noted that the market witnessed a bloodbath session as investors remained bearish throughout the day.

“The benchmark KSE-100 index nosedived from the beginning of the session as an increase in the political noise over the weekend and uncertainty regarding resumption of IMF programme along with continued depreciation of Pakistani rupee against the US dollar and rate hike in the Monetary policy, shattered investors’ confidence,” the report noted.

The brokerage house noted that the volumes remained dull on the mainboard although hefty volumes were observed in third-tier stocks.

Sectors contributing to the performance included cement (-120.8 points), fertiliser (-89 points), exploration and production (-79.9 points), technology (-72.5 points), and banks (-63.1 points)

Shares of 314 companies were traded during the session. At the close of trading, 48 scrips closed in the green, 250 in the red, and 16 remained unchanged.

Overall trading volumes rose to 118.98 million shares compared with Friday’s tally of 189.92 million. The value of shares traded during the day was Rs3.57 billion.

Silk Bank was the volume leader with 9.97 million shares traded, gaining Rs0.04 to close at Rs1.32. It was followed by WorldCall Telecom with 7.62 million shares traded, losing Rs0.09 to close at Rs1.50 and K-Electric with 6.12 million shares traded, losing Rs0.08 to close at Rs2.50.

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Malir Industrial Park is introduced by SIFC.

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The establishment of “industrial parks” by the Pakistan Economic Zone Development and Management Company and the Special Investment Facilitation Council aims to attract investors and stimulate the economy.

First up is the Malir Industrial Park, which gives companies access to important trade and transportation channels. This park will be different from heavy industry parks in that it will concentrate on small industries and diverse industrial offices. Among Karachi’s industrial zones, it would be noteworthy for providing security and necessary infrastructure.

In order to lower unemployment, the initiative intends to generate more than 200,000 jobs in the first five years. To increase the advantages of the program, the Korangi Association of Trade and Industry will become a member of the Malir Industrial Park Advisory Council.

The park will have easy access to Karachi Port and Jinnah International Airport due to its strategic location at the convergence of key highways, such as the National Highway and Malir Motorway. This would guarantee effective access to both domestic and foreign markets.

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The Saudi crown prince and PM Sharif promise to increase trade and investment relations.

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He emphasised how closely Saudi Vision 2030 matches Pakistan’s main strategic goals, strengthening the basis for both countries’ development.

In terms of trade, investment, and economic development, both leaders reaffirmed their dedication to strengthening bilateral cooperation.

A recent visit by a high-level Saudi delegation headed by the Saudi Investment Minister, during which a number of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed to strengthen the economic partnership, was mentioned by Prime Minister Sharif.

Along with talking about the economy, the two leaders acknowledged the serious damage caused by Israel’s continuous aggression in the area and voiced their profound worry about it.

Peace in Gaza is linked to global progress: PM

In his earlier speech to the 8th Future Investment Initiative (FII), Prime Minister Shehbaz emphasised the catastrophic situation in Gaza and stressed that the world would find it difficult to meet its developmental goals unless there was an immediate end to the violence.

Shehbaz, the Saudi prime minister

With the topic “Infinite Horizons: Investing Today, Shaping Tomorrow,” the FII brought together prominent individuals to discuss investments in important fields such as robots, artificial intelligence, education, energy, finance, healthcare, and sustainability.

Pakistan’s worries over the worsening situation in Gaza were highlighted by PM Sharif’s direct remarks, which also highlighted the necessity of international cooperation in fostering peace.

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Task Force for FBR Digitization Established: Automated Supply Chain System Design

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A 10-member Task Force has been formed by the government to digitize the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) in partnership with the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC).

Improving FBR’s systems and completely digitizing its operations are part of the Task Force’s mandate. Policy interventions, data automation, software installation, and collaboration with provincial revenue authorities are among the main goals.

Together with developing a track-and-trace system through integrated automation, the task force will also establish an Automated Supply Chain System for distributors and wholesalers.

Pakistan Revenue Automation Limited would become a stand-alone IT bureau for planning and data preparation.

In order to create a unified national tax strategy, the project seeks to maximize revenue collection, increase transparency, and simplify Pakistan’s tax system while encouraging cooperation between the federal and provincial tax authorities.

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