External investment surges by 84%

Foreign portfolio investors are gradually returning to Pakistan’s debt and equity markets after a prolonged absence, marking a significant shift in market sentiment. The short-term external investment has surged by a remarkable 84%, catapulting to a 30-month high, now standing at Rs501.30 billion. According to the weekly update from the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), the overall investment hit rock bottom, plunging to a 12-year low of Rs272.54 billion in June 2023.

This resurgence is particularly noteworthy against the backdrop of the PSX benchmark KSE 100-Index, which soared to a new all-time high, surpassing the 74,000-point mark on Monday. This ascent contrasts sharply with its position, hovering around 61,500 points in December 2023 and a mere 40,000 points in June 2023.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Shahid Ali Habib, CEO of Arif Habib Limited (AHL), highlighted that foreign investment has turned positive after a prolonged period, attributing this shift to the recently concluded International Monetary Fund (IMF) $3 billion loan programme and ongoing talks for securing the next IMF package by June-July 2024.