Karachi — The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) saw strong buying today, pushing the benchmark KSE-100 Index above the 185,000 level for the first time during Friday’s trading session. This sharp rise comes as investors expect a further cut in the interest rate at the next Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting.
At 2:45 pm, the KSE-100 Index stood at 185,117.47 points, up by 3,661.14 points or 2.02% — a clear sign of renewed confidence in the market.
KSE-100 Index surges by 2,300 points amid easing geopolitical rhetoric and improved risk sentiment. pic.twitter.com/filSXnLifo
— PakInvestor (@PakInvestor) January 16, 2026
Key Highlights
- KSE-100 Index crosses 185,000 barrier with a gain of over 3,600 points.
- Strong buying from mutual funds and big institutional investors; selling pressure almost gone.
- Market expects policy rate cut in upcoming MPC meeting after yesterday’s drop in government bond yields.
- Buying seen in major sectors: banks, cement, fertiliser, oil & gas, power, and automobile companies.
- Heavyweight stocks like HUBCO, MARI, OGDC, PPL, PSO, MCB, UBL, and others traded higher.
- Petrol and diesel prices stay unchanged for next 15 days (petrol at Rs253.17/litre, diesel at Rs257.08/litre).
Experts say the positive mood follows Thursday’s auction of government bonds (PIBs), where interest rates (yields) fell. This has raised hopes that the State Bank will lower its key policy rate soon, making loans cheaper and boosting business activity.
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Sana Tawfik, Head of Research at Arif Habib Limited, explained: “Fresh buying from funds and institutions has taken over, while selling has eased. The market is betting on a rate cut based on the latest bond auction results.”Yesterday, the market had closed lower at 181,456.34 points (down 0.61%), due to some selling and uncertainty. Today’s strong rebound shows investors are now more optimistic.
Globally, Asian markets also rose slightly, driven by good news in the technology and AI sectors. Oil prices dipped a bit, while gold and silver eased as tensions in Iran calmed for now.
This intra-day surge reflects growing trust in Pakistan’s economy among local investors. With hopes of lower interest rates and stable fuel prices, the market looks set for more positive sessions ahead. Keep watching — the next MPC decision could bring even more cheer!
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