ISLAMABAD: The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has strongly condemned the suicide attack at a political rally in Mastung district of Balochistan province of Pakistan, on July 13 that killed at least 132 people, including Nawabzada Siraj Raisani, a key politician from the area, and injured more than 200.
“The OIC Secretary General, Dr. Yousef A. Al-Othaimeen, who was saddened by the attack, offered his deepest condolences to the families of the victims, the government and people of Pakistan and wished a quick recovery to the injured people,” said an OIC statement.
The secretary-general reiterated the principled position of the OIC against all forms of terrorism and extremism.
“He extended once again his solidarity with Pakistan in its fight against terrorism and urged the Pakistani authorities to take all possible action to bring the perpetrators of the heinous action to justice,” the statement added.
The United States also strongly condemned this week’s attacks on political candidates and their supporters in Balochistan and in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces of Pakistan.
“These attacks are cowardly attempts to deprive the Pakistani people of their democratic rights,” the US State Department said in a statement.
It added: “We will continue to stand with the people of Pakistan and the broader South Asia region in their fight against terrorism.”
Hours before the Mastung bombing on Friday, at least four people were killed and dozens of others injured in another bomb attack in Bannu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
The bomb exploded near the rally of Akram Khan Durrani, a candidate of Jamiat-e-Ulema Islam (F), who is contesting the election against Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan.
Earlier this week on Monday Awami National Party (ANP) leader Haroon Bilour, along with at least 20 others, was killed in a suicide blast in Peshawar, capital city of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
The latest wave of terrorist attacks on political rallies in Pakistan has spread fear among political parties and common people across the country.
World condemns Mastung massacre
World condemns Mastung massacre
- Organization of Islamic Cooperation secretary-general reiterated the organization’s principled position against all forms of terrorism and extremism
- These attacks are cowardly attempts to deprive the Pakistani people of their democratic rights, the US State Department said
Pakistan stock market crosses record 174,000 points during intraday trading
- Pakistan Finance Adviser Khurram Schehzad says stock market’s equity investor base has increased by over 120,000 in last 18 months
- Official says stock market’s record levels reflect growing investor confidence supported by continued macro stability and key reforms
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) crossed a record 174,000 points on Monday, Finance Adviser Khurram Schehzad said, marking a strong start to the business week.
According to the data available on the PSX’s official website, the KSE-100 benchmark reported 174,411.72 points during the intraday trading on Monday morning.
“Another milestone for Pakistan’s equity market,” Schehzad wrote on social media platform X. “The KSE-100 Index has crossed 174,400 points, marking yet another record high.”
Pointing out the stock market’s achievements this year, Schehzad said the PSX has delivered 50 percent plus returns in US dollar terms to investors since January this year, “making it one of the best markets in Asia.”
He noted that investors’ participation in the PSX is rising fast, adding that the equity investor base has increased by over 120,000 to cross the 450,000 figure in the last 18 months, marking a 37 percent increase.
“These record levels reflect growing investor confidence, supported by continued macro stability, key reforms, and improving prospects for more sustainable, higher future growth,” he said.
Pakistan’s stocks have surged in recent years, marking a strong performance this year as Islamabad moves to consolidate its financial recovery after years of economic turbulence, which saw it on the verge of a sovereign default in June 2023.
Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves have surged past the $21 billion mark, as per the central bank’s latest data.
In recent years, the South Asian country has also implemented tough structural reforms under the International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan programs, aimed at reducing fiscal deficits and restoring investor confidence.
