Tuesday, September 02 2025

PSX extends recovery drive despite flood warnings
Despite wa­­r­nings of super floods in Sindh following devastating monsoon rains in Pun­jab and Khyber Pakh­tun­khwa — bringing the rural economy to a halt, disrupting supply chains, and triggering a spike in perishable prices — the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) extended its recovery for a second consecutive session on Monday. The market defied macroeconomic pressures as investors engaged in selective buying, helping the benchmark KSE-100 index surge by 1,353.34 points, or 0.91 per cent, to close at 149,971.12, according to Topline Securities. Market sentiment tur­ned sharply positive after Pakistan’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation for August came in at 3pc, down from 4.1pc in July — well below analysts’ expectations. The surprise data revived optimism, spurring buying across several sectors, particularly cement.
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Blueprint for regenerative urbanism
Karachi’s population has crossed 20 million people, indicating the economic promise and perilous byproducts of the ambition to cash it. However, in these trials of the city’s resilience lies the immense potential for Karachi to become a model of regenerative urbanism. Regenerative infrastructure design Metropolitan cities must actively regenerate ecosystems disturbed through infrastructure design for long-term sustainability. For Karachi, this could mean adapting the urban environment to restore biodiversity, manage heat, and mitigate floods. Examples include the treatment of industrial runoff and the construction of wetlands in Malir and Korangi, due to their proximity to waterways. Green corridors can be connected to urban public spaces, such as Karachi University, Safari Park, and the Malir River, to form a biodiversity belt. Using permeable paving in all public spaces could help restore aquifers and groundwater.
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Dollarised returns for oil transport approved
Despite strong reservations from the ministries of finance and power, the government has approved a dollar-based guaranteed return on the transportation of petroleum products through the 477-kilometre Machike-Thallian-Tarujabba White Oil Pipeline, estimated to cost $300 million. The project will be executed on a government-to-government basis by a joint venture comprising Azerbaijan’s state-owned oil company SOCAR, Pakistan State Oil (PSO), and the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO). Positioned as a strategic investment from Azerbaijan, the project had long been advocated by the FWO using local resources. At a recent meeting, the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet approved the terms and conditions proposed by the Petroleum Division to launch the project, citing its potential to enhance bilateral ties with Azerbaijan and attract future investment.
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Flour prices climb as supply concerns mount
Wheat and flour prices have surged sharply in Karachi’s wholesale market, raising fresh concerns about food inflation and market supply, despite government assurances of sufficient national stocks. Wholesale wheat now sells for Rs90 per kg, up from Rs72 in mid-August and Rs62 in July. This increase has pushed the price of flour no. 2.5 to Rs97 per kg and fine flour to Rs103, compared with Rs81 and Rs85, respectively. In early August, these prices were Rs74 and Rs79 per kg. Chakki flour varieties are now available at wholesale rates between Rs110 and Rs135 per kg, marking an average rise of Rs20 per kg. According to the Sensitive Price Index (SPI) for the week ending Aug 28, the price of a 10kg wheat bag climbed to Rs794 from Rs640.
Related news categories: business economic-indicators misc

PTCL-Telenor merger further delayed
The planned merger of Telenor Pakistan with Pakistan Tele­co­mmunication Company Ltd (PTCL) has faced further delays as the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) raised serious concerns over PTCL’s business ethics, funding sources, and lack of transparency in key documents. According to sources, the CCP has flagged PTCL’s failure to submit the required documentation and demanded detailed clarification on its post-merger investment plans, particularly in light of the company’s ongoing financial losses. The commission has also questioned whether Etisalat (e&), the UAE-based parent company of PTCL and Ufone, intends to inject fresh equity to cover existing losses and fund future capital expenditures, including participation in the upcoming 5G spectrum auction.
Related news categories: business economic-indicators psx stock-exchanges tech-comm
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