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Was not supposed to announce petrol price hike on TV, Miftah Ismail says

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Minister for Finance Miftah Ismail on Friday said that he was “not supposed to” appear on national television the night before to announce a hike in the prices of petroleum products but he did so after being asked by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

His clarification on Twitter came after a clip of his appearance on a television show was shared. In it, he can be seen saying he will not be appearing on television again that night.

Speaking on Dawn News show “News Wise”, the finance minister said: “It is said whenever Miftah Ismail comes on TV, petrol prices go up. But I will not be appearing on television after this (show).”

In the show, which airs at 7pm, Ismail said that the “government will decide” whether prices will be raised July 1 onwards and that as of that point in time he has not been informed of any such decision. “And neither do I have this in my mind that I have to go announce it on TV.”

He also spoke of the petroleum development levy which the International Monetary Fund has advised be brought up to Rs50 per litre. The finance minister said that there are plans to impose the levy “gradually” and that “there is no deadline”.

About four hours later, Ismail and Minister of State for Petroleum Musadik Malik briefed the media on a raise in petrol prices, to be effective starting midnight.

Explaining in his tweet what had occurred, the finance minister said: “I was not supposed to go on TV last evening to announce this. Another colleague was supposed to do this. But PM sahib decided that Musadik Malik and I should do that.”

With the fresh hike, the price of petrol will be Rs248.74/litre, diesel will be Rs276.54/litre, kerosene oil will be sold for Rs230.26/litre, and the price of light diesel oil will be Rs226.15/litre.

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With the PSX at 115,000, investors profit while the sun is shining.

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Despite the numerous actions the government has taken in recent months, the nation’s economy is still growing.

The extraordinary rise in equities in recent years is evidence that the economic “turnaround” has given investors cause for optimism.

As market participants eagerly made investments, the KSE-100 index crossed the 115,000 level on Friday, the penultimate working day of the current week on the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX). The stocks gained strength on the 13th consecutive day, highlighting improvement in the country’s economy.

During early hours of trading, stocks climbed to 115,172 with a gain of 600 points.

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) reached its peak by surging above 114,000 points on Thursday. It has been over a month since the surge began.

The figure jumped by a substantial 2,500 points to 113,374 points during Thursday’s session. The KSE-100 index closed at 114,180, up 3,370 points, after surpassing 114,000 points later in the day.

On Wednesday, stocks closed at 111,810.

FLOW AND EBB

The market had a sharp bearish rise a few days ago, but it was short-lived as bullish momentum returned. The benchmark KSE-100 index gained more than 2,000 points and is currently sitting around 111,000. It was in opposition to the close of 108,896 points the day before.

CUT THE rating ON THE CARDS

The proverbial bulls have been galloping for the past month or so thanks to the financial infusion from the International Monetary Fund’s loan disbursement and more discussions on climate funding.

The impending policy rate cut meeting of the SBP is another factor contributing to the current market attitude. The Monetary Policy Committee of the Central Bank is scheduled to convene on Monday, December 16.

On November 30, the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) achieved a historic milestone by reaching a record-breaking high of 100,000 points following an unheard-of run of gains.

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ADB Adjusts Pakistan’s Economic Growth Forecast to 3% for 2024-25, Indicating Positive Economic Trajectory

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Pakistan’s economic growth is projected to be three percent in the fiscal year 2025, according to the Asian Development Bank’s revised prediction, which is an upward revision from the previous forecast.

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The PSX 100 index crosses 113,000 points, marking a historic milestone.

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The historic 113,213-point milestone has been surpassed for the first time by the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), setting a new record.

The stock market experienced a spectacular start to the trading session, rising 1,400 points in just 30 minutes. At an all-time high of 112,277 points, the KSE-100 Index jumped 1,467 points.

With the index rising 1,200 points in just 15 minutes after the market began, the PSX had already reached another milestone. At 112,041 points, the KSE-100 Index had risen 1,231 points.

In another example of record-breaking performance, the PSX saw a 1,000-point spike in just 10 minutes. The KSE-100 Index rose 1,100 points to 111,911 points, regaining the 111,000-point milestone and hitting its highest level ever.

The PSX’s exceptional performance establishes it as a crucial gauge of economic optimism by highlighting robust investor confidence and substantial market momentum.

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