Pakistan’s KSE-100 index came under heavy selling pressure on Wednesday, falling 1,250.34 points as renewed US-Iran strikes increased geopolitical uncertainty. Rising oil prices also added to investor concerns.
The benchmark index was down 0.71% by 1:14pm, with selling reported across major sectors. Automobiles, cement, commercial banks, exploration companies, power generation and oil marketing companies faced significant pressure during trading.
The KSE-100 index opened sharply lower as investors reacted to the latest escalation in the Middle East. It dropped 1,663.16 points, or 0.94%, to 174,803.83 by 9:34am, reflecting weak sentiment at the start of the session.
During the session, the benchmark reached an intraday high of 175,841.83 and a low of 174,701.13. It was compared with the previous close of 176,466.99, highlighting the impact of renewed geopolitical tensions on market confidence.
Oil prices also extended their gains in early Wednesday trading. Investors remained concerned that continued US-Iran hostilities could disrupt regional energy supplies and keep crude prices elevated, increasing pressure on economies that rely heavily on imports.
Trading activity at the Pakistan Stock Exchange remained strong despite the decline. Around 153.68 million shares changed hands, while the total traded value reached Rs10.82 billion as investors reassessed risks linked to the regional crisis.
The weakness in the KSE-100 index remained broad-based as investors considered the possible effects of higher oil prices on Pakistan’s import bill, inflation and corporate costs. Prolonged tensions could continue to influence market sentiment in the near term.
