ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s equity market surged to an all-time high on Tuesday, with the benchmark KSE-100 index closing at 169,456, up 1,153 points (0.69 percent), as investor sentiment strengthened following the IMF’s approval of fresh disbursements under its existing loan program.

Traders attributed the record close to renewed risk appetite, driven by strong local institutional buying and confidence in the macro-economic outlook after the IMF said its executive board approved Pakistan’s latest loan review on Monday, unlocking about $1.2 billion and keeping the country’s IMF program on track. The surge extended a bullish trend that has carried the index upward through the final quarter of 2025.

In a session summary, Topline Securities said market momentum remained firmly on the upside.

“The bulls commanded today’s trading session with remarkable strength, lifting the benchmark index to breathtaking new heights,” it said. “After soaring to an intraday high of 1,297 points, the market closed at a record-breaking 169,456, gaining 1,153 points or 0.69 percent.”

Trading activity remained strong, with total volumes reaching 1.02 billion shares, while turnover rose to Rs 51.1 billion. K-Electric (KEL) led the volume chart with approximately 86.7 million shares traded, while heavyweights including Fauji Fertilizer (FFC), Lucky Cement (LUCK), Habib Bank Ltd. (HBL), Pakistan State Oil (PSO), and Maple Leaf Cement (MLCF) collectively contributed around 640 points to the index’s gain.

Analysts said improving liquidity, optimism over external financing and active participation from local mutual funds supported the rally. 

Market participants will now watch for macro data releases, fiscal performance indicators and further external funding commitments to assess whether the rally can sustain in the coming weeks.