On Tuesday, August 19, 2025, the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) achieved a new milestone: the KSE-100 Index breached the symbolic 150,000-point threshold during intraday trading before settling at a fresh record close of 149,770.75—a gain of 1,574.32 points, or 1.06%.
What Fueled the Rally
- Institutional Inflows Remain Strong
Major buying momentum continued from previous sessions, especially from institutional investors backing key sectors like banking and cement. - Credit Rating Boosts Confidence
Global rating agencies offered an upbeat outlook: Fitch anticipates Pakistan’s real GDP growth to reach 3.5% by FY27, while Moody’s upgraded the sovereign rating to Caa1. - Circular Debt Reforms & Macros
Investor optimism surged following government plans to resolve Rs 2.6 trillion in circular debt, easing liquidity bottlenecks in the energy sector. Meanwhile, strong export numbers, cement dispatches, and rupee stability boosted sentiment. - Leading Movers
Heavyweights like Bank AL Habib, UBL, Lucky Cement, Meezan Bank, and Engro Corporation spearheaded gains, collectively contributing over 1,300 points to the index.
Market Activity Highlights
- Intraday Peak: 150,323 points
- Total Traded Volume: Approximately 806–809 million shares
- Market Turnover: Roughly PKR 48.4 billion
- Top Volume Leaders: WorldCall Telecom (52M shares), BOP (46M), Fauji Cement (43M)
Government & Expert Responses
- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the development as validation of economic reforms and investor confidence. He remarked, “economic improvement has restored the confidence of investors … the country is moving towards progress.”
- Khurram Schehzad, Finance Ministry adviser, highlighted how rating upgrades, structural reforms, and macro stability are fueling a resurgence in investor trust.
Analysis & Outlook
The PSX’s ascent to 150,000 reflects more than a numerical milestone—it symbolizes growing macroeconomic resilience, effective policy communication, and strengthening market fundamentals.
However, sustaining this momentum hinges on:
- Continued commitment to circular debt resolution
- Stability in currency and inflation trends
- Ongoing corporate earnings performance
Analysts affirm that while short-term volatility is possible, the overall market outlook remains robust as long as reforms hold steady.