KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) witnessed one of its worst trading sessions on Tuesday as escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East sparked panic selling, amid growing concerns over the conflict between the United States and Iran and its potential impact on global oil supplies.
The benchmark KSE-100 Index plunged 6,408.23 points, or 3.56 percent, to close at 173,518.82 points against the previous close of 179,927.05 points. During the session, the index touched an intraday high of 178,112.05 points before falling to a low of 173,349.42 points.
The BRIndex100 closed at 18,966.34 points, down 798.85 points, or 4.04 percent, on turnover of 716.78 million shares. The BRIndex30 also down 3,535.11 points, or 4.88 percent, with trading volume of 455.05 million shares.
Topline Securities said in its daily market review that the PSX witnessed a bloodbath as heightened geopolitical tensions triggered broad-based selling across the market. The brokerage house said concerns over regional stability, disruptions to global oil supplies and rising risk aversion weighed heavily on investor confidence. It added that UBL, Engro Holdings, Fauji Fertilizer Company, Lucky Cement and MCB Bank were the largest contributors to the decline, collectively wiping out 2,057 points from the benchmark index.
Panic selling significantly increased trading activity in the cash market. Ready market turnover rose to 912.61 million shares from 845.28 million shares in the previous session, while traded value increased to Rs45.61 billion from Rs35.55 billion.
The sharp sell-off erased approximately Rs706.25 billion from market capitalization, with ready market capitalization falling to Rs19.584 trillion from Rs20.290 trillion a day earlier.
Market breadth remained overwhelmingly negative. Of the 498 companies traded on the ready market, only 40 advanced while 439 declined and 19 remained unchanged.
Among the most actively traded stocks, Cnergyico PK led the volume chart with 84.54 million shares, closing at Rs9.68. K-Electric Limited followed with 43.53 million shares, ending at Rs7.52, while WorldCall Telecom traded 43.32 million shares and closed at Rs1.23.
Despite the broad market decline, Khairpur Sugar Mills Limited gained Rs158.59 to close at Rs2,441.48, while Unilever Pakistan Foods Limited added Rs92.00 to settle at Rs25,360.00. On the losing side, PIA Holding Company Limited (B) fell Rs195.01 to close at Rs17,606.00, while Ghandhara Industries Limited declined Rs107.81 to Rs1,125.91.
Sector-wise, the BR Cement Index recorded the steepest decline, falling 658.46 points, or 5.15 percent, to 12,118.25 points on turnover of 67.04 million shares. The BR Commercial Banks Index lost 2,467.04 points, or 3.93 percent, to close at 60,281.83 points with 78.78 million shares traded.
The BR Tech & Communication Index dropped 146.54 points, or 3.85 percent, to 3,661.41 points on turnover of 92.42 million shares. The BR Power Generation and Distribution Index declined 918.85 points, or 3.23 percent, to 27,556.03 points with 61.67 million shares traded.
The BR Oil & Gas Index shed 492.78 points, or 3.22 percent, to settle at 14,822.67 points on turnover of 57.02 million shares, while the BR Automobile Assembler Index eased 727.25 points, or 3.00 percent, to close at 23,501.71 points with trading volume of 7.27 million shares.
Market participants said investor sentiment is expected to remain closely tied to developments in the Middle East, with any further escalation likely to keep volatility elevated, while signs of diplomatic progress could help restore confidence to the equity market.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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