Friday, March 06 2026

Selling grips bourse, KSE-100 sheds over 2,100 points
Selling pressure was observed at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), with the benchmark KSE-100 Index shedding over 2,100 points during the opening hours of trading on Friday. At 10:10am, the benchmark index was hovering at 159,083.87, a decrease of 2,126.80 points or 1.32%. Selling was observed in key sectors, including automobile assemblers, cement, commercial banks, fertilisers, oil and gas exploration companies, power generation and refinery. Index-heavy stocks, including HUBCO, MARI, POL, PPL, MCB, MEBL, NBP and UBL, traded in the red. On Thursday, PSX witnessed one of its most powerful rallies in recent sessions, as the benchmark KSE-100 Index surged by more than 5,400 points in a sweeping show. The benchmark KSE-100 Index closed at 161,210.68 points, registering a sharp gain of 5,433.46 points or 3.49%.
Related news categories: business economic-indicators psx stock-exchanges

Aurangzeb, UK envoy discuss IMF reform implementation
Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, held a meeting with the British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Jane Marriott CMG OBE, who called on him at the Finance Division on Thursday. The meeting focused on regional developments, Pakistan’s macroeconomic outlook, progress on economic reforms, and avenues for strengthening bilateral economic cooperation. The Finance Minister briefed the High Commissioner on the government’s proactive approach to managing potential economic implications arising from evolving regional developments.
Related news categories: business economic-indicators misc

MG Motor announces USD20m investment
In a major vote of confidence in Pakistan’s economic outlook and industrial potential, MG Motor Pakistan, backed by global automotive giant SAIC Motor, has announced a USD 20 million investment to expand its vehicle manufacturing plant. The expansion is set to introduce advanced automotive technologies to Pakistan and will support the company’s plans to broaden its product lineup through the launch of new vehicle models. This initiative will generate new employment opportunities while strengthening the local automotive supply chain and supporting the continued development of Pakistan’s manufacturing ecosystem. “This investment reflects our long-term confidence in Pakistan’s economic potential and its rapidly evolving automotive ecosystem,” said CEO of MG Motor Pakistan, Shao Jian Qiang.
Related news categories: auto-assembler business economic-indicators misc

Forex reserves up by USD26m
Pakistan’s total liquid foreign exchange reserves recorded a slight increase of USD 26 million during the last week. According to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), the country’s total reserves stood at USD 21.434 billion end of last week ending February 27, 2026, compared with USD 21.408 billion recorded in the previous week ending February 20. During the week under review, the foreign exchange reserves held by the state bank increased by USD 87 million, reaching USD 16.3 billion, up from USD 16.213 billion a week earlier. READ MORE: SBP-held foreign exchange reserves rise $16mn to $16.21bn In contrast, the net foreign reserves held by commercial banks declined by USD 61 million to USD 5.134 billion. It may be mentioned here that SBP is expecting further surge in its foreign exchange reserves and SBP reserves are projected to reach all time high level of USD 20.20 billion mark by end of December 2026.
Related news categories: business economic-indicators misc

Gold rises 1% as Middle East conflict spurs safe-haven demand
Gold prices rose on Friday, rebounding from a more than 1% drop in the previous session, after investors sought the safe-haven metal as uncertainty grew over a widening Middle East conflict. Spot gold was up 1% at $5,124.73 per ounce, as of 0255 GMT. The metal has lost roughly 3% so far this week, set to snap a four-week winning streak, as fading rate-cut prospects and higher energy prices stoked inflation concerns. US gold futures for April delivery were up 1.1% at $5,131. The dollar weakened, making greenback-priced bullion less expensive for holders of other currencies.
Related news categories: business misc