Due to the impact of stringent IMF conditions, the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) witnessed a bearish trend today, stirring concerns among investors. Key measures by the IMF, including the removal of energy subsidies, strict control on government spending, privatization of state-owned enterprises (SOEs), and tax reforms, are contributing factors.
These actions could lead to increased inflation in the fiscal year 2025. The PSX index closed down by 365.83 points, or 0.45%, settling at 81,292.13, with a daily high of 81,842.74 and a low of 81,183.50. A total of 339 million shares were traded, amounting to a value of 12.9 billion PKR.
Ahsan Mehanti, CEO of Arif Habib Commodities, highlighted that IMF conditions, political instability, and delays in the privatization of SOEs are key reasons behind the weak market performance and PSX Index. Additionally, the rollover of future contracts has also added pressure on investors. Experts advise investors to remain cautious as volatility in the stock market is expected to persist.