KSE-100 Crashes Over 2,000 Points as Oil Surge, Middle East Tensions Spook Investors

KSE-100 Crashes Over 2,000 Points as Oil Surge, Middle East Tensions Spook Investors

The Pakistan Stock Exchange closed sharply lower on Thursday as the KSE-100 index lost 2,006.67 points — 1.21 percent — to settle at 163,924.32, sliding below the 164,000 mark after a session driven by fear over the Middle East.

International oil prices surged amid heightened geopolitical tensions following fresh Houthi attacks in Saudi Arabia, raising fears of a broader regional conflict and prolonged disruption to Middle Eastern energy supplies. For Pakistan, a heavier energy import bill and mounting pressure on the external account weighed on investor sentiment all session. The index swung between an intraday high of 166,180.32 and a low of 163,782.42, with market breadth sharply negative: 101 stocks advanced against 355 decliners.

Engro Holdings, UBL, Hub Power, HBL and PTC dragged the benchmark down by about 752 points combined, while turnover fell 3.37 percent to 367.09 million shares and traded value dropped 15.43 percent to Rs17.99 billion. "The market may remain volatile amid geopolitical tensions and elevated oil prices," said Ali Najib of Arif Habib Ltd, adding that strong banking earnings and attractive payouts could offer selective support going forward.

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