The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) ended the week on a cautious note, with the benchmark KSE-100 Index losing 313 points on Friday amid profit-taking and low investor engagement. After reaching a record high in the previous session, the index faced pressure from weak triggers and weekend jitters.
The KSE-100 Index showed mixed movement during the day. Early trade was range-bound, but buying interest in the latter half pushed the index to an intra-day high of 120,506.18 points. However, late-session selling erased gains, dragging the index to close at 119,649.14, down 312.77 points or 0.26%.
🔍 Lack of Triggers and Pre-Weekend Profit Taking
According to Topline Securities, “This lackluster activity can be attributed to the lack of triggers and investors’ preference to remain on the sidelines before the weekend after the index closed at its all-time high.” The cautious mood followed Thursday’s robust performance, where the index surged over 1% to close at a record 119,962 points.
📈 Weekly Gains and Key Contributors
Despite Friday’s dip, the KSE-100 gained a strong 11.64% on a weekly basis, supported by:
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IMF approval of a new loan tranche
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US-mediated ceasefire between Pakistan and India
On Friday, positive contributors to the index included:
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ENGROH, SYS, BAHL, UBL, and BAFL (+271 points combined)
While negative contributors included:
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FFC, LUCK, MARI, OGDC, PSO, and EFERT (-476 points combined)
🌍 Macroeconomic Developments
📊 Current Account Surplus Shrinks
Pakistan posted a current account surplus of $12 million in April 2025, a sharp decline from the $1.2 billion (revised) surplus in March. On a year-on-year basis, the surplus dropped 96% from $315 million in April 2024, according to SBP data.
📉 Import Duties Slashed to Boost Exports
In a major policy shift, the federal government announced a phased elimination of Additional Customs Duty (ACD) and Regulatory Duty (RD) over 4–5 years. ACD currently ranges from 2% to 7%, while RD ranges from 5% to 90%.
The move aims to encourage industrial investment and export competitiveness.
💹 Pakistan’s First Green Sukuk Launched
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb launched Pakistan’s first Sovereign Domestic Green Sukuk, worth Rs30 billion, at the PSX. This brings Shariah-compliant domestic debt to 14% of the total Rs37 trillion public debt portfolio.
Aurangzeb noted that more innovative funding instruments for both local and global investors will be introduced as part of a broader debt restructuring initiative.
💱 Currency and Market Statistics
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Pakistani Rupee: Closed at 281.66/USD, down by Re0.05 (-0.02%)
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Trading Volume: Decreased to 572.29 million shares (vs. 698.96M previously)
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Share Value: Dropped to Rs29.03 billion (vs. Rs39.09B previously)
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Market Breadth:
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Advancers: 206
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Decliners: 209
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Unchanged: 50
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Top Volume Leaders:
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At-Tahur Ltd – 44.63M shares
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Cnergyico PK – 32.29M shares
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Lotte Chemical – 28.64M shares
