Friday, April 17 2026

Buying continues, KSE-100 Index opens with nearly 1000-point gain
Buying rally continued at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), with the benchmark KSE 100 index gaining over nearly 1,000 points during the opening hour of trading on Friday. At 9:50am, the benchmark index was hovering at 170,880.78 points, up by 968.83 points or 0.57%. On the index front, oil and gas exploration, automobile, cement, and chemical sectors emerged as key gainers. On Thursday, the KSE-100 Index exhibited robust performance during the session, gaining 1,392.01 points or 0.83% to close at 169,911.95 points, compared to the previous close of 168,519.94 points Meanwhile, Asian stocks were poised for a second week of strong gains and MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was down ​0.6%, but remained close to its highest since March 2, the first trading day after the Iran war broke out.
Related news categories: business economic-indicators psx stock-exchanges

Imported mobile phones: Panel directs MoF, FBR to rationalise duties, taxes
The National Assembly Standing Committee on Finance on Thursday directed the Tax Policy Unit of the Ministry of Finance and the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to urgently rationalise duties and taxes on imported mobile phones for announcement in the coming budget (2026-27). Primarily, the proposal was to reduce sales tax from 25 percent to 18 percent on high-end mobile phones in CBU condition exceeding USD 500. Mobile phones having an import value of less than USD 500 are subjected to 18 percent sales tax. However, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) as well as the Tax Policy Unit did not agree with the proposal of reducing sales tax from 25 percent to 18 percent on high-end mobile phones above USD 500. The issue was discussed in detail during the 23rd meeting of the Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue held here on Thursday under the Chairmanship of MNA Syed Naveed Qamar.
Related news categories: business economic-indicators tech-comm

Govt urged to shift its focus towards economic recovery
Chairman of the Pasban Democratic Party (PDP), has called on the government to shift its focus towards economic recovery following Pakistan’s widely acknowledged role in brokering the Iran–US ceasefire. He said the diplomatic success achieved under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir has elevated Pakistan’s stature as a global peacemaker. He termed the development a “remarkable victory,” adding that the countries involved in the conflict owe gratitude to Pakistan for its efforts. Shakoor emphasised that the same determination must now be applied to strengthening the national economy. He urged the government to introduce bold economic reforms, adopt business-friendly policies, and enhance trade-driven partnerships to ensure long-term stability and growth.
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Port Qasim to get 400 acres of modern small industrial estate
Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry has announced the establishment of a modern small industrial estate at Port Qasim, spanning approximately 400 acres, aimed at promoting industrialization and enhancing investor confidence. Speaking during his visit to the Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry on Thursday, the Minister stated that the development strategy would prioritize infrastructure readiness before plot allocation. “Unlike conventional practices where investors are shown undeveloped land, this project will first deliver fully developed infrastructure, including main boulevards, landscaping, and essential utilities, ensuring a business-ready environment prior to allotment,” he said.
Related news categories: business economic-indicators misc

Jul-Mar textile exports dip 0.5pc to USD13.545bn YoY
Pakistan’s textile sector exports registered a negative growth of 0.50 percent, reaching USD13.545 billion in the first nine months of the current fiscal year against USD13.613 billion in the same period of 2024-25, the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) reported on Thursday. According to PBS data, the textile commodities, which contributed to exports of USD13.555 billion, included bed wear, the exports of which increased by 0.25 percent to USD2.380 billion during the months under review, as compared to the exports of USD2.374 billion last year, while the export of ready-made garments also increased by 3.77 percent to USD3.208 billion compared to USD3.091 billion last year.
Related news categories: business economic-indicators textile-composite textile-spinning textile-weaving