The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) started the new trading week on a high note, with robust purchasing activity sending the benchmark KSE-100 Index back above the 182,000-point threshold. This was a promising start to the new trading schedule.

The index reached 182,347 points at the beginning of Monday’s trading session, having gained more than 900 points from the previous day’s close.

A comeback from the previous session, when the KSE-100 Index had finished at 181,430 points at the end of the previous trading week, was underlined by the strong opening that occurred during the previous session.

Early trading was dominated by optimistic emotion, which was reflected in the most recent increase, which brought the benchmark index back to the region of 182,000 points.

Karachi: A big respite for energy consumers across Pakistan including Karachi is nearing its end as the Rs1.99 per unit cut under the quarterly adjustment is due to expire this month raising the potential of higher electricity bills from next month.

Sources said that energy consumers across the country are currently receiving relief of about Rs67.17 billion in the quarterly adjustment for Jan-Mar 2026. The modification, which has been in place since June 2026, will hit its three-month mark in August.

The current adjustment will cease and the quarterly adjustment for April-June 2026, which is slated to take effect next month, is likely to result in an increase in power rates for customers.

Sources said power distribution corporations have filed an application with National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) seeking to pass on an additional burden of about Rs23 billion to electricity consumers.

The proposed adjustment will be roughly Rs1 per unit increase. However, NEPRA will decide the last rise in quarterly adjustment.

 Goods transporters across Pakistan launched an indefinite nationwide strike on Saturday, protesting rising fuel costs, daily diesel price adjustments, taxation and regulatory measures that they say are increasing the financial burden on the transport sector.

All Pakistan Goods Transport Alliance President Malik Shehzad Awan said freight operators had suspended services across the country and would continue the strike until their demands were addressed.

He said the federal government had invited alliance representatives for talks on Monday, while the transporters had formed a committee to represent them during negotiations. The strike would continue until the outcome of the talks was reviewed and a future course of action announced.

Awan said earlier negotiations between transporters and government representatives at the Commissioner’s Office had failed to produce a breakthrough.

The transporters are demanding a reduction in taxes on diesel and the restoration of fuel prices to their July 1, 2024 level. They are also opposing the daily adjustment of diesel prices and want fuel prices revised fortnightly or monthly to provide greater predictability for transport operators.

According to Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) publishes daily fuel prices based on a seven-day average of international benchmark prices. The daily review mechanism was introduced amid heightened volatility in global oil markets linked to tensions in the Middle East.

The alliance is also demanding that withholding tax on cargo transporters be reduced from 7% to 2%, arguing that oil tanker operators are already subject to the lower rate.

Transporters have further objected to customs enforcement measures under which vehicles carrying non-duty-paid goods may be confiscated. They are seeking simplified procedures for heavy transport vehicle driving licences and a reduction in toll taxes.

Ministers’ resignations demanded

Speaking at a press conference at the Karachi Press Club, Awan said goods transport operations across the country were being suspended as part of the ongoing protest.

He accused the federal and provincial governments of failing to implement the alliance’s charter of demands, insisting that all their demands were constitutional and legitimate.

Awan said transporters were staging a peaceful protest by parking their vehicles rather than blocking roads, adding that they did not want to cause inconvenience to citizens.

He called for the resignation of Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik and Punjab Senior Minister Maryam Aurangzeb, alleging that commitments made to transporters had not been honoured.

Awan claimed that a single trailer was paying up to Rs2.4 million in toll taxes in addition to taxes on petroleum products.

He alleged that the government was not serious about negotiations and said a committee had been formed to hold talks with government officials.

According to Awan, the strike would be called off once the government issued a formal notification for talks.