A computer screen is reflected in the glass window of a booth where a broker monitors the market at the Karachi Stock Exchange.—Reuters Photo

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan stocks rallied on Wednesday with strong performances in the chemicals and food sectors, and an easing of fears that another showdown between the government and the Supreme Court might be imminent, analysts said.

The Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) benchmark 100-share index ended 0.69 per cent, or 99.63 points, higher at 14,613.59 points, with a volume of 256.7 million, compared to Tuesday’s close of 14,513.96.

Pakistan’s Supreme Court on Tuesday released its detailed judgment in a case where it had earlier declared Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani guilty of contempt of court for refusing to reopen corruption cases against President Asif Ali Zardari.

The prime minister received a symbolic sentence of a few minutes’ detention in the courtroom, but some lawyers have said the conviction should disqualify him from office. Gilani has said he will appeal against the verdict.

“There was concern that political uncertainty will increase with the detailed judgment of the Supreme Court (in the Gilani case), but it was essentially the same as the earlier order so the situation did not change,” said Atif Zafar, a research analyst at the JS Global financial services company.

“It did not dampen the bullish mood in the market today.”

Among the top performers were Engro Corporation, which ended 5 per cent higher at 118.93 Pakistan rupees, helped by the strong performances of its food and chemicals divisions.

Engro Foods ended 5 per cent higher at 77.31 rupees, while Engro Polymer and Chemicals closed 3.51 per cent higher at 12.68 rupees.

Chemicals company Lotte Pakistan closed 9.87 per cent higher at 10.02 rupees.

Follow Dawn Business on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook for insights on business, finance and tech from Pakistan and across the world.

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.