Karachi, March 6, 2026: The benchmark KSE-100 Index at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) plunged by more than 3,700 points on Friday, as investors turned cautious amid rising fears that tensions in the Middle East could escalate into a prolonged war involving Iran.
The sharp decline came after a brief rally in the previous trading session when the market had surged by around 3.5%. However, renewed geopolitical concerns and risk-off sentiment prompted investors to lock in profits ahead of the weekend, triggering heavy selling across key sectors.
Analysts at Topline Securities Limited said the KSE-100 Index witnessed a negative session as investors remained skeptical about the sustainability of the previous day’s rally. Concerns that the Iran-related conflict could evolve into a prolonged war weighed heavily on market sentiment, leading to widespread selling pressure.
The benchmark index fell 3,714.57 points, or 2.3%, to close at 157,496.10 points, compared with the previous close of 161,210.67.
KSE-100 Index Trading Snapshot
| Market Indicator | Value |
| Market Status | Closed |
| Current Index | 157,496.10 |
| Change | -3,714.57 |
| Percent Change | -2.3% |
| Day High | 161,435.83 |
| Day Low | 157,072.64 |
| Previous Close | 161,210.67 |
| Volume (Index) | 196,187,049 |
| Value (PKR) | 18,782,789,868 |
Major Stocks Dragging the Market
According to analysts, the largest negative contributions to the index came from several heavyweight stocks, including:
• United Bank Limited (UBL)
• Engro Holdings (ENGROH)
• Fauji Fertilizer Company (FFC)
• Lucky Cement (LUCK)
• Hub Power Company (HUBC)
• Meezan Bank (MEBL)
• Systems Limited (SYS)
• Oil and Gas Development Company (OGDC)
• Bank Alfalah (BAFL)
These stocks collectively dragged the index down by around 2,124 points during the session.
Most Active Stocks by Traded Value
The following companies dominated trading activity in terms of value:
| Company | Traded Value |
| Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) | PKR 1.83 billion |
| Oil and Gas Development Company (OGDC) | PKR 1.66 billion |
| Attock Refinery Limited (ATRL) | PKR 1.62 billion |
| United Bank Limited (UBL) | PKR 1.16 billion |
| National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) | PKR 980 million |
Overall Market Activity
Overall market participation remained strong despite the decline. Total traded volume reached around 360 million shares, while the total traded value stood at approximately PKR 23 billion.
Market experts believe that geopolitical developments in the Middle East and investor sentiment ahead of the weekend will continue to influence trading trends at the Pakistan Stock Exchange in the coming sessions.
If tensions escalate further, analysts warn that volatility in the KSE-100 index could remain elevated in the short term.