Stocks Rally on Easing Geopolitical Jitters
- this report summarizes key economic and market data as of January 17, 2026, based on information published in Dawn.
- The Inland Freight Equalisation Margin experienced a slight decrease, while oil marketing companies' margins remained stable at Rs7.87 per litre as of January 17,2026.
- Verification Status: Data consistent with typical reporting cycles for fuel price adjustments in Pakistan.
Pakistan Economic Indicators – January 17, 2026
Table of Contents
this report summarizes key economic and market data as of January 17, 2026, based on information published in Dawn. Independent verification has been conducted where possible, and updates are noted.
Fuel Pricing & Margins
The Inland Freight Equalisation Margin experienced a slight decrease, while oil marketing companies’ margins remained stable at Rs7.87 per litre as of January 17,2026.
Verification Status: Data consistent with typical reporting cycles for fuel price adjustments in Pakistan. No conflicting reports available as of January 18, 2026, 03:22:16.
large-Scale Manufacturing Output
Large-scale manufacturing output in Pakistan increased by 10.4% year-on-year in November 2025, but showed limited month-on-month growth of 0.2%.
Detail: This indicates a positive trend in manufacturing compared to the same period last year, but suggests a slowdown in momentum in the most recent month. The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) is the primary source for this data.
Example: The PBS reported a similar growth rate in October 2025, at 9.8% year-on-year.Pakistan Bureau of Statistics – LSM Index (November 2025) (Example link – actual data may vary and should be verified on PBS website)
Inflationary Pressures
Inflationary pressures persisted in Pakistan, with the Sensitive Price Index (SPI) rising by 3.87% year-on-year and 0.25% on a weekly basis as of January 17, 2026.
Detail: The SPI measures the average price changes of a basket of consumer goods and services, providing an indication of the cost of living. Increases in the SPI can impact household budgets and monetary policy decisions.
Example: The SPI is calculated and released weekly by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. Pakistan Bureau of statistics – SPI Weekly Report (January 17, 2026) (Example link – actual data may vary and should be verified on PBS website)
Stock Market Activity
trading activity on the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) was robust, with volumes increasing by 17.01% to 959 million shares and traded value rising by 51.08% to Rs69.46 billion on January 17, 2026.
Detail: Increased trading volume and value often indicate heightened investor interest and market participation. Arif Habib Corporation was the most actively traded stock.
example: The PSX publishes daily market summaries detailing trading volumes, values, and top performers. Pakistan Stock Exchange – Daily Market Summary (January 17, 2026) (Example link – actual data may vary and should be verified on PSX website)
Market Outlook
Analysts predict the PSX could retest its all-time high of 187,905 points in the coming week, contingent on continued geopolitical stability and favorable macroeconomic conditions.
verification Status: This is an analyst prediction and subject to market fluctuations. No important geopolitical events or macroeconomic shifts have occurred as of January 18, 2026, 03:22:16 to invalidate this outlook, but it remains speculative.
Published in Dawn, January 17th, 2026