Tuesday, March 31 2026

Buying returns to bourse, KSE-100 up over 2,200 points
A day after intense selling pressure, buying momentum returned at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), with the benchmark KSE-100 Index gaining over 2,200 points during the opening minutes of trading on Tuesday. At 9:35am, the benchmark index was hovering at 149,106.44, up by 2,263.47 or 1.54%. Buying was observed in key sectors, including automobile assemblers, cement, commercial banks, oil and gas exploration companies, OMCs, power generation and refinery. Index-heavy stocks, including ARL, HUBO, MARI, POL, PSO, SNGPL, SSGC and WAFI, traded in the green. On Monday, PSX remained under heavy selling pressure, extending its losing streak for a fourth consecutive Monday as geopolitical tensions over the weekend and cautious investor participation dragged the Index. The KSE-100 Index closed at 146,842.97 points, shedding 4,864.54 points or 3.21%.
Related news categories: business economic-indicators psx stock-exchanges

Jazz, VEON unveil USD1bn investment plan
In a major boost to Pakistan’s digital future, Jazz and VEON leadership unveiled an ambitious USD 1 billion investment plan in a high-level meeting with the finance minister to expand connectivity, modernise infrastructure, and accelerate digital innovation across the country. JazzWorld CEO Aamir Ibrahim, accompanied by VEON Group CEO Kaan Terzioglu and senior leadership, held a high-level meeting with Federal Minister for Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb, where they reaffirmed their long-term commitment to Pakistan, and strengthening collaboration on the country’s digital growth agenda. The discussions focused on Pakistan’s improving macroeconomic outlook and its transition from stabilisation to growth. The delegation acknowledged ongoing reforms and highlighted the role of integrated digital platforms in expanding financial inclusion, formalising the economy, and enabling investment-led growth.
Related news categories: business economic-indicators tech-comm

Brent crude set for record monthly gain; Asia shares falter as Iran war rages
Oil prices on Tuesday were set for a record monthly rise while Asian shares were headed for their steepest fall since 2022, ​capping a tumultuous month as the war in the Middle East stoked fears of higher inflation and slower growth. Bonds were headed for their ‌largest decline in months, owing to the hawkish sea change in the global outlook for interest rates, while the dollar recorded its strongest gain in eight months. A month into the war, investors continue to be whipsawed by a barrage of headlines as tensions and attacks between the U.S., Israel and Iran escalate. “It appears markets have gone from just mechanically trading headlines … into a little ​bit more of a fear mode, taking risk off the table,” said Vishnu Varathan, Mizuho’s head of macro research for Asia ex-Japan.
Related news categories: business misc

Pharma sector: Leading Russian insulin maker to invest USD80m
The leading Russian pharmaceutical company M/s Genetics Pharmaceuticals/M/s Zavod Medsintez LLC, producing insulin, will invest approximately USD80 million in Pakistan’s pharma sector over the next six years. In this connection, the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has conditionally fixed the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) for six insulin products of the Russian pharmaceutical company, namely M/s Genetics Pharmaceuticals/M/s Zavod Medsintez LLC, while directing the company to immediately start working on the construction of local manufacturing plants and fully complete it by December 2031.
Related news categories: business economic-indicators misc pharma

Habib Metro Bank appoints CEO, chairman
Habib Metropolitan Bank Limited announced key appointments on Tuesday.The bank shared the information in a notice to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) today. The bank said that Khurram Shahzad Khan was reappointed as president and chief executive officer for another three years. The notice further said Mohamedali R. Habib was re-elected as chairman, effective March 30, 2026. Habib Metropolitan Bank was incorporated in Pakistan as a public limited company in 1992. The bank is the subsidiary of Habib Bank AG Zurich – Switzerland which is the holding company of the bank.
Related news categories: business comm-banks economic-indicators psx stock-exchanges
Related symbols: hmb (news stock)