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PSX plunges over 1,378 points to hit 2.5-year low as politics weighs

Published

2 years ago

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  • Political tumult panics investors into shedding holdings.
  • All sights set on IMF amid depleting forex reserves.
  • Macroeconomic concerns dampen sentiment.

KARACHI: Pakistan stocks Tuesday plunged to a 30-month low as the country’s extremely riotous political situation freaked economy-wary investors into stampeding towards the exits, resulting in whopping losses, traders said. 

The KSE-100 Shares Index, the benchmark of the country’s capital market, lost 1,378.54 points or about 3.47%, to close at 38,342.21 points.

Analysts say the dissolution of the Punjab Assembly and the prevailing crisis in the country amid continuous demand from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for snap polls panicked the market into this vicious selloff.

The delay in the revival of the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) loan programme and the ongoing political uncertainty in the country caused the bloodbath in the stock market.

PSX plunges over 1,378 points to hit 2.5-year low as politics weighs

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif-led government has been under pressure to revive the IMF programme but the “harsh conditions” set by the Washington-based lender have made it almost impossible for the country’s financial managers to proceed.

Meanwhile, the depleting forex reserves with the State Bank of Pakistan below the $5 billion mark — enough for less than three weeks of import — is making the investors jittery.

Talking to Geo.tv, Tahir Abbas, Head of Research at Arif Habib Limited, said the investment momentum was extremely negative.

The analyst pinned Tuesday’s tailspin partly on the IMF loan impasse and partly on the political crisis.

“Players are unable to see any efforts made by the government to resume the programme due to which they are not taking fresh positions,” he said.

Abbas added that news reports suggesting that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assembly would be dissolved today further dented investors’ sentiment.

Khurram Schehzad, CEO at Alpha Beta Core, said the IMF programme stalemate —a consequence of Pakistan’s dragging its feet on fulfilling the loan conditions— was one of the main triggers of the selloff as right now rapidly-depleting foreign exchange reserves were seemingly Pakistan’s biggest economic problem.

“The political uncertainty has increased due to the dissolution of the Punjab Assembly. There is a question mark on the federal government whether it will remain in power or not. The preexisting negative sentiment has now worsened,” Schehzad said.

He said the deeper the political uncertainty in the country, the higher the volatility in the market.

“However, if the government succeeds in reviving the IMF programme and reversing political uncertainty, the trend can take a turn for the better,” the analyst said.

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In interbank trade, the Pakistani rupee beats the US dollar.

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6 days ago

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In the international exchange market, the US dollar has continued to weaken in relation to the Pakistani rupee.

The dollar fell to Rs278.10 from Rs278.17 at the beginning of interbank trading, according to currency dealers, a seven paisa loss.

In the meantime, there was a lot of turbulence in the stock market, but it recovered and moved into the positive zone. The KSE-100 index recovered momentum and reached 116,000 points after soaring 1,300 points.

Both currency and stock market swings, according to analysts, are a reflection of ongoing market adjustments and economic uncertainty.

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Business

Phase II of CPEC: China-Pakistan Partnership Enters a New Era

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1 week ago

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The cornerstone of economic cooperation between the two brothers and all-weather friends is still the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, the initiative’s flagship project.

In contrast to reports of a slowdown, recent events indicate a renewed vigour and strategic emphasis on pushing the second phase of CPEC, known as CPEC Phase-2, according to the Ministry of Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives.

According to the statement, this crucial stage seeks to reshape the foundation of bilateral ties via increased cooperation, cutting-edge technology transfer, and revolutionary socioeconomic initiatives.

Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal is leading Pakistan’s participation in a number of high-profile gatherings in China, such as the 3rd Forum on China-Indian Ocean Region Development Cooperation in Kunming and the High-Level Seminar on CPEC-2 in Beijing.

His involvement demonstrates Pakistan’s commitment to reviving CPEC, resolving outstanding concerns, and developing a strong phase-2 roadmap that considers both countries’ long-term prosperity.

At the core of these interactions is China’s steadfast determination to turn CPEC into a strategic alliance that promotes development, progress, and connectivity.

Instead of being marginalised, CPEC is developing into a multifaceted framework with five main thematic corridors: the Opening-Up/Regional Connectivity Corridor, the Innovation Corridor, the Green Corridor, the Growth Corridor, and the Livelihood-Enhancing Corridor.

With the help of projects like these, the two countries will fortify their partnership, and CPEC phase-2 will become a model of global economic integration and collaboration that benefits not just China and Pakistan but the entire region.

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Business

The inflation rate in Pakistan dropped to its lowest level.

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1 week ago

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On December 2, core inflation as determined by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) significantly slowed, falling to 4.9% in November 2024 from 7.2 percent in October 2024.

The CPI-based inflation rate for the same month last year (November 2023) was 29.2%, according to PBS data.

Compared to a 1.2% gain in the prior month, it increased by 0.5% month over month in November 2024.

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