Pakistan stock market closes at record high near 150,000 points on institutional buying

Stockbrokers interact during a trading session at Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) in Karachi on May 12, 2025. (AFP/File)
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Updated 19 August 2025
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Pakistan stock market closes at record high near 150,000 points on institutional buying

  • KSE-100 surges to all-time high of 149,771 points, driven by banking and cement stocks
  • Finance adviser hails milestone, says reforms and stability fueling investor confidence

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s stock market closed at a record high on Tuesday, with the benchmark KSE-100 Index ending the session at 149,771 points as strong institutional inflows powered gains in banking and cement shares, according to brokerage Topline Securities.

The index rose as much as 2,127 points to touch an intraday high of 150,323 before paring gains to close up 1,572 points, or 1.06 percent. Index heavyweights Bank AL Habib Ltd. (BAHL), United Bank Ltd. (UBL), Lucky Cement Ltd. (LUCK), Meezan Bank Ltd. (MEBL), and Engro Corporation Ltd. (ENGRO) collectively contributed 1,306 points to the rally.

“The bullish momentum from previous sessions continued, driven by strong institutional inflows— particularly in the banking and cement sectors,” Topline said in its market review.

The brokerage added that “cement sales are gaining momentum in August 2025, and earnings could exceed expectations.”

Market participation remained robust, with 806 million shares traded and a total traded value of PKR 48.3 billion. WorldCall Telecom Limited led the volume chart with 52 million shares changing hands during the session.

Earlier in the day, Khurram Schehzad, adviser to the finance minister, hailed the index’s milestone, attributing the surge to improved investor confidence and macroeconomic stability.

“Pakistan Stock Exchange Makes New History – Reaches 150,000 Points Mark,” Schehzad said in a post on X.

“First 50,000 took 26 years (1991–2017). Second 50,000 took 8 years (2017–2024). Third 50,000 took just 10 months (Nov 2024–Aug 2025).”

He noted that the number of companies with billion-dollar valuations had risen to 16, the highest since 2018, while more than 73,000 new investors had joined the market in the last year, bringing the total to over one million.

The rally comes amid signs of stabilization in Pakistan’s economy after the country secured a $7 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout in September 2024 and saw recent upgrades by international ratings agencies.

Inflation has eased from a peak of 38 percent in 2023 to 4.1 percent in July 2025, while the rupee has stabilized against the dollar.


JazzCash signs deal with Binance in UAE to explore regulated crypto adoption in Pakistan

Updated 24 min 59 sec ago
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JazzCash signs deal with Binance in UAE to explore regulated crypto adoption in Pakistan

  • MoU focuses on awareness and development of compliant virtual-asset solutions in Pakistan
  • Pakistan introducing licensing regime for crypto firms as it formalizes digital-asset oversight

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani financial-technology platform JazzCash has signed a memorandum of understanding with global cryptocurrency exchange Binance in the United Arab Emirates to explore cooperation on virtual-asset use and education in Pakistan, the company said on Wednesday.

The agreement sets a framework for discussions on awareness campaigns and future digital-asset products that would comply with Pakistan’s emerging crypto regulations. The move signals growing engagement between global blockchain companies and Pakistani fintechs as authorities shift toward formal licensing of the sector.

Pakistan has spent the past year drafting rules to regulate the fast-expanding market for digital coins and tokens, requiring virtual-asset service providers to obtain government approval. Officials say the transition is aimed at curbing money-laundering and terror financing risks, boosting transparency and encouraging responsible innovation.

“JazzCash has always championed technologies that expand financial access while promoting secure and inclusive participation in the digital economy," JazzCash Chief Executive Officer Murtaza Ali said. 

“By entering into this exploratory MoU with Binance, we are advancing our efforts to understand how global digital-asset trends can support Pakistan’s evolving regulatory landscape. We aim to engage responsibly, support regulatory progress, and advance opportunities that build trust, transparency and innovation for our customers.”

The MoU does not establish a commercial partnership, but marks one of the most high-profile engagements between Pakistan’s fintech sector and a global crypto exchange as the country moves toward regulated digital-asset adoption.

Binance welcomed the cooperation, framing it as part of Pakistan’s shift toward regulated digital-asset activity.

"With regulatory frameworks like [Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority] PVARA paving the way, this collaboration represents a significant step toward expanding financial inclusion and empowering more people to access the benefits of blockchain technology in a secure and compliant environment," Binance Chief Marketing Officer Rachel Conlan said.

Earlier this month, Binance executives met Pakistani finance officials to discuss digital-payments reform, blockchain-skills training and the potential for Web3-linked jobs. Pakistan also set up the Pakistan Crypto Council and formed PVARA this year to license and supervise crypto-asset service providers.