Pakistan's benchmark Karachi stock exchange index yesterday rose about 1.8 per cent and the rupee gained more than 2 per cent against the US dollar as investors welcomed the easing of political tension following Pervez Musharraf's retirement on Monday, reports Farhan Bokhari.

"There is a general feeling of relief that the crisis is over," said Shuja Rizvi of Karachi's Capital One Securities brokerage house.