Record stock rally masks weak capital raising

KSE-100 surges 18.2% but only Rs16b raised via IPOs; analysts warn of limited fresh funds KARACHI: Pakistan’s capital markets posted strong gains during the first nine months of FY2026, with the benchmark KSE-100 index surging 18.2% to 148,743 points by the end of March, according to the Pakistan Economic Survey 2025-26 unveiled by Finance Minister…

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ICT exports reach $3.4b but structural gaps persist

IT and services exports – already crossing the multibillion-dollar mark – are growing at a faster clip than goods and carry immense significance. Photo: file KARACHI: Pakistan’s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and telecommunications sectors recorded notable growth during FY2026, according to the Pakistan Economic Survey unveiled on Thursday. ICT exports reached $3.388 billion, while…

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Agriculture grows 2.89% despite devastating floods

Crop sector recovers from 1.01% contraction to 1.44% growth; livestock now 14.6% of GDP A farmer ploughs his field with bulls in Perowal as rising fuel prices and increasing agricultural costs force small growers to return to traditional farming methods. Photo: Express LAHORE: Pakistan’s agriculture sector has demonstrated notable resilience in 2025-26, recording growth of…

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Power capacity jumps 8.5% to 49,651MW

Solar panel. Photo: ANADOLU AGENCY ISLAMABAD: The installed capacity of electricity jumped to 49,651 MW, reflecting an 8.5% increase mainly due to the addition of power through solar net metering, according to data from the Economic Survey 2025-26 released on Thursday by the Economic Adviser’s Wing of the Finance Division and unveiled by Finance Minister…

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First deep conversion refinery planned in Hub

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan held a meeting with a delegation of SPEC Refinery (Pvt) Ltd, led by its Chairman Zafar Sheikh, to discuss the development of Pakistan’s first Deep Conversion Greenfield Refinery Project planned in Hub, Balochistan. The delegation briefed the minister on the project’s progress and highlighted its strategic importance…

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Indus Treaty suspension raises global concerns

Minister warns of rising unilateralism as Spain envoy discusses climate, energy cooperation ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Dr Musadik Malik has warned that the international system is moving from multilateralism towards increasing unilateralism, citing the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty as a troubling precedent for rules-based cooperation. He made the…

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PSX turns volatile after retaliatory US strikes

KARACHI: Trading at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) remained highly volatile on Wednesday as investors reacted cautiously to the escalating geopolitical tensions, triggering sharp intra-day fluctuations in the benchmark KSE-100 index. The market opened on a positive note, with the index gaining 25.95 points (+0.02%) to reach 170,356.51 at 9:44 am. However, investor sentiment stayed…

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PSX rebounds at midday session

Overall market participation was strong, as 1,066 million shares were traded with a total value of Rs. 49 billion. KEL led the volume chart, with 195.8 million shares..Photo: Express KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) displayed renewed bullish sentiment on Thursday with the benchmark KSE-100 Index trading firmly in positive territory during midday hours. As…

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Spinwam gas bidding violates rules

ISLAMABAD: Stakeholders have raised questions over the bidding process initiated by a petroleum company for the sale of 35% gas from the Spinwam Gas Field, citing concerns about compliance with the Council of Common Interests (CCI) decision and the Petroleum Division’s SRO 11(I)/2025. The petroleum ministry has been approached regarding compliance with rules on third-party…

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