Karachi, February 20, 2026 – The KSE-100 index of the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Friday recorded a significant gain of around 1,000 points, as buyers returned following the recent market downturn. Positive sentiments dominated trading, helping the benchmark index recover from previous losses.
After witnessing heavy selling pressure in the prior session, investors took advantage of attractive valuations, leading to renewed buying activity. The index opened on a positive note, hitting a high of 174,148.32, before an intraday dip to 169,592.52 due to profit-taking. The market gradually recovered, ultimately closing at 173,169.71, up 999.42 points (0.58%).
Top contributors to the rally included OGDC, MLCF, PPL, SYS, and FFC, which together added 654 points to the index, according to brokerage reports. Analysts said that improved investor confidence and bargain hunting supported the recovery.
In a key development, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) praised Pakistan’s economic reforms, stating that fiscal discipline and stronger external accounts have stabilized the economy and boosted market confidence.
KSE-100 Key Statistics – February 20, 2026
| Market Status | Closed |
| Current Index | 173,169.71 |
| Change | +999.42 |
| Percent Change | 0.58% |
| High | 174,148.32 |
| Low | 169,592.52 |
| Volume | 245,484,220 |
| Previous Close | 172,170.29 |
| Value (PKR) | 17,898,540,478 |
Market experts suggest that positive global cues, coupled with domestic reforms, may sustain investor optimism in the coming sessions, while cautious trading is expected as participants monitor macroeconomic developments.