The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) reached a new all-time high as the KSE-100 Index surged by 588 points, hitting 82,800. This bullish momentum was driven by the anticipated approval of a $7 billion IMF loan and positive remarks from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, boosting investor confidence.

Key contributors to the rally included strong international stock market performance, IMF’s approval of Pakistan’s new loan program, and renewed confidence in the banking, oil and gas, cement, and pharmaceutical sectors.

Pakistan is expected to receive the first $1.1 billion tranche by September 30, further strengthening investor sentiment. Blue-chip stocks such as MCB Bank, Oil and Gas Development Company, National Bank of Pakistan, United Bank Ltd, and Bank Al-Habib saw significant buying activity, contributing heavily to the index’s rise.

Experts highlighted the IMF agreement as a major driver, keeping the market in positive territory throughout the session. On Wednesday, the index breached the 82,000-point mark, reaching an intra-day high of 82,331.85 before closing near its peak.

Falling government bond yields, easing inflation, rising global oil prices, and a strengthening rupee also fueled the market’s upward momentum. According to Ahsan Mehanti, Managing Director of Arif Habib Corp, “Stocks closed at an all-time high due to easing political noise and optimism ahead of the IMF executive board’s $7 billion EFF approval.”