Despite a loan package approved by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on the government’s request, the index declined 0.72 per cent and closed at 81,657.96 points from the previous close of 82,247.91 points.

Just a day earlier, the IMF’s board had approved the $7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) for Pakistan, providing a critical boost to the country’s struggling economy.

The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said that the premier expressed his satisfaction with the programme’s approval.

“The implementation of economic reforms is going on rapidly,” he said in the statement. he added that the government would continue to work hard to achieve goals related to economic development after achieving economic stability.

He maintained that the increase in business activities and investment in the country was “welcome and a testament to the hard work of the economic team”.

He noted, “Along with the successes on the diplomatic front, the increase in remittances from Pakistanis living abroad is a reflection of their confidence in the government’s policies.” He said that the government was grateful to the Pakistani community.

 “If the same hard work continues, God willing, this will be Pakistan’s last IMF programme,” he said.

He also thanked Saudi Arabia, China, and the UAE for their support regarding the package, as well as IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva and her team.

Citing recent assessments by global rating agencies, the prime minister pointed to gradual improvements in key economic indicators, suggesting that Pakistan’s financial outlook was beginning to improve.

Pakistan secured $5bn in deposits from Saudi Arabia, $4bn from China, and $3bn from the UAE. An additional condition from the IMF required Pakistan to obtain $2bn in external funding from bilateral and commercial sources.