Pakistan stocks see strong recovery as Iran-Israel ceasefire reports boost investor sentiment

A stockbroker walks past share prices on a financial market board during a trading session at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) in Karachi, Pakistan, on April 9, 2025. (AFP/File)
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Updated 24 June 2025
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Pakistan stocks see strong recovery as Iran-Israel ceasefire reports boost investor sentiment

  • US President Donald Trump said Monday that Israel and Iran had agreed to a ‘complete’ ceasefire to be phased in over 24 hours
  • Analyst says the momentum is likely to continue, with valuations still shy of a long-term mean and due to market-friendly budget

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Tuesday witnessed a strong recovery amid a reported ceasefire between Israel and Iran, traders and analysts said.

On Monday, United States (US) President Donald Trump said on social media that Israel and Iran had agreed to a “complete and total ceasefire” to be phased in over 24 hours.

The benchmark KSE-100 index surged by 6,079 points, or 5.23 percent, to close at 122,246 points on Tuesday afternoon, compared to the previous day’s close of 116,167 points.

“Stocks closed near all-time high after Iran, Israel agreed to a ceasefire receding fears of escalation in the Middle East tensions,” Ahsan Mehanti of Arif Habib Corporation told Arab News.

“Upbeat economic data on cement sales for Jul-May’25, bull run in global equities and receding fears over high inflation, impact on exports for supply disruptions over Middle East conflict played a catalyst role in the record bullish close.”

Raza Jafri, head of research at Intermarket Securities Ltd., attributed the momentum to reduction in international oil prices along with settling regional tensions.

In volatile trading on Tuesday, crude futures slumped more than five percent after Trump’s declaration of the Iran-Israel ceasefire.

“With valuations still shy of a long-term mean and Pakistan having recently unveiled a market-friendly budget, bullish momentum is expected to continue,” Jafri added.

On Monday, Pakistan’s stocks and currency markets had tumbled as investors reacted to the US foray into the Israel-Iran conflict a day earlier.

Monday’s 3.2 percent fall to 116,167 points was the worst since May 8, when the index had plunged 5.9 percent day-on-day during the India-Pakistan military standoff.


Pakistan moon-sighting committee to meet today to determine start of Ramadan

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Pakistan moon-sighting committee to meet today to determine start of Ramadan

  • Clerics rely on eyewitness testimony rather than astronomical calculation to fix Islamic dates in Pakistan
  • National space agency says crescent likely visible Feb. 18 so Ramadan expected to begin Feb. 19

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s central moon-sighting committee will meet in the northwestern city of Peshawar today, Wednesday, to determine the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, state media reported.

Unlike many countries that rely primarily on astronomical calculations, Pakistan traditionally announces Islamic dates after verified eyewitness testimony of the crescent moon from across the country.

Pakistan’s Ruet-e-Hilal Committee (RHC) convenes before the start of every Islamic month and before the Eid holidays, collecting reports from regional committees and citizens before making a final announcement.

“The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee will meet in Peshawar today for sighting of Ramazan-ul-Mubarak 1447 Hijri Moon,” Radio Pakistan reported.

The meeting will be chaired by Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad, while zonal and district committees will gather in parallel to submit testimonies.

Pakistan’s national space agency has said the Ramadan crescent is likely to be visible on Feb. 18, meaning fasting would begin on Feb. 19 if confirmed.

During Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn to sunset. The month concludes with Eid Al-Fitr, a major religious holiday celebrated globally.