The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) had a strong performance, reaching a record high of 118,000 points, driven by significant buying activity that lifted the KSE-100 index by nearly 1,400 points.
On Thursday, the KSE-100 Index surged by 1,359.73 points, fueled by positive economic developments in the country, including government initiatives to boost revenue and the introduction of a transformative economic growth plan aimed at enhancing investments and export-driven growth.
Read more: PSX Ranks Second Globally for Performance in 2024 Market
The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of export-driven growth for the nation’s economic progress and urged the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to strengthen enforcement to meet the revenue goals set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
He also highlighted the government’s success in increasing revenue to a 25-year high, although he acknowledged a gap between actual revenue and the ambitious IMF targets. Positive inflation data further boosted investor confidence, with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) dropping to 4.1% year-on-year in December 2024, down from 4.9% in November and 29.7% in December 2023.
On the trade front, Pakistan’s trade deficit rose by 35% year-on-year in December, reaching $2.44 billion—the highest since April 2024. Imports increased to a 27-month high of $5.285 billion, while exports saw a slight 0.67% year-on-year growth, totaling $2.84 billion. The trade deficit widened by 47% month-on-month, reflecting a rise in imports.
