Buying & Selling

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) extended its rally as the KSE-100 Index surged over 1,300 points in early Thursday trading, building on the previous session's strong gains. Improved investor confidence, easing geopolitical tensions, and lower global oil prices fueled broad-based buying across key sectors, pushing the benchmark further above the 180,000-point mark.

The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has raised Rs16.44 billion in the first two days of its commercial plot auction in Islamabad, highlighting strong investor confidence in the city's real estate market. The proceeds will be used to fund infrastructure development, civic improvements, and major public projects across the federal capital.

Pakistan's cement industry recorded 6.02% growth in total despatches during July 2026, driven by a 17.28% surge in domestic demand despite a sharp decline in exports. APCMA said strong local construction activity continues to support the sector and urged the government to reduce taxes and duties to sustain growth and boost affordability.

Gold prices in Pakistan declined on Monday, June 29, 2026, as domestic rates tracked a drop in international markets. The price of 24-karat gold fell by Rs2,300 to settle at Rs428,936 per tola, while 10-gram gold decreased by Rs1,972 to Rs367,743. Silver also saw a reduction, falling by Rs69 to Rs6,324 per tola

In the 2026-27 budget, the government has introduced a 20% reduction in regulatory duty on high-end imported mobile phones, effective July 1, 2026, which will lower costs by Rs. 14,000 per device. However, the FBR Chairman advises against broader duty cuts, arguing that premium imports are purchased by affluent consumers and that current tax structures are vital for revenue, with flagship phones contributing 58% of import tax revenue despite making up only 16% of units. Instead, the FBR is prioritizing support for the local assembly industry which serves 95% of the market and recommends that future tax relief be strictly limited to entry-level phones in the $31–$200 range to assist price-sensitive buyers.

The privatization of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is set to be finalized by the end of June 2026, transferring 100% control to an Arif Habib-led consortium. The transition follows the completion of all local and international regulatory requirements, including a 15-year tax exemption for aircraft-related operations approved by the IMF. Alongside the PIA sale, the government has unveiled an ambitious privatization roadmap for FY2026-27, which includes the outsourcing of major international airports, the sale of five power distribution companies (DISCOs), and the privatization of two major financial institutions.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reaffirmed that the federal government will fully fund a 100MW solar energy project for Gilgit-Baltistan to address the region’s chronic electricity shortages. The initiative includes an 18MW solarization project for public buildings and an 82MW project for residential areas, with the Prime Minister mandating an accelerated timeline and independent third-party validation to ensure transparency throughout the development.

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has uncovered significant tax underreporting among high-net-worth individuals and property buyers during its review of the Finance Bill 2026. Financial data analysis revealed that approximately 8,697 individuals held collective bank deposits of PKR 750 billion while reporting zero taxable income. Furthermore, nearly 80 percent of top property buyers materially underreported their bank deposits in tax filings, and 98.9 percent of high-deposit individuals failed to accurately report their financial inflows. In response, the FBR is working to strengthen data integration with the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to improve transaction monitoring and expand the tax base. Meanwhile, the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue has criticized past tax system "experiments," and the FBR has agreed to a proposed audit of policy actions taken over the last decade to help identify patterns of elite capture within the system.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif recently showcased the province’s flagship Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar affordable housing initiative at the World Urban Forum in Baku, where it received international recognition as a leading innovative project. The programme has achieved significant milestones within its first year, including the completion of over 100,000 houses, with construction currently moving at a rate of 600 to 700 homes per day. By promoting a transparent, non-discriminatory loan distribution system, the initiative has attracted global attention from delegates and media, positioning Punjab’s housing model as a notable example of sustainable urban development.