The KSE-100 Index has delivered jaw-dropping returns, surging over 425% since 2021 when it stood around 44,000 points closing at 172,170 on February 19, 2026 after a recent 3.74% dip. Market capitalization ballooned from PKR 6.5 trillion in June 2020 to PKR 19.69 trillion (USD 70.25 billion) by December 2025, with free-float at roughly USD 53 billion. Yet renowned chartered accountant Syed Shabbar Zaidi raises sharp questions in his latest analysis: does this rally truly mirror Pakistan’s economic health, or is it largely driven by speculation, high bank profits from government borrowings, and oil & gas gains tied to rupee depreciation and dollar indexation? The full opinion piece is available on Business Recorder . Zaidi highlights stark realities Pakistan’s market cap-to-GDP ratio sits at just 17% (with 2025 GDP around USD 407 411 billion), compared to India’s 130% (market cap over USD 5 trillion) and the USA’s 100%. Listed companies have barely grown (535 today vs 659 in 2005...
Samsung’s Galaxy S26 lineup brings iterative yet meaningful refinements ahead of MWC 2026, with a strong emphasis on Galaxy AI enhancements rather than radical hardware leaps. In their detailed hands-on review, GSMArena notes the series unifies design language across the S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra, making the base model feel like a compact Ultra. The Ultra itself gains more rounded corners for better grip, emerging slimmer and lighter than its predecessor. For complete first impressions, read the full GSMArena hands-on review . Camera Tweaks and Smart AI Features The S26 Ultra stands out with wider apertures on the main and 5x telephoto lenses for improved low-light shots. New AI tools include the Visual Perception System for real-time scene understanding and Deep Learning Video Noise Reduction, cutting power use by up to 50% during video. The base S26 and S26+ keep similar camera hardware to last year but benefit from software optimizations. These changes make everyday photography sm...