KSE-100 plunges over 1,600 points as geopolitical fears trigger heavy sell-off

Selling pressure gripped the Pakistan Stock Exchange on Tuesday, as investor sentiment turned sharply negative amid rising geopolitical uncertainty. Concerns linked to Donald Trump’s increasingly aggressive rhetoric and delays in ceasefire developments weighed heavily on the market, triggering a wave of early sell-offs. The benchmark KSE-100 Index plunged 1,679.87 points within the opening minute of trading, reflecting intense bearish momentum right from the start of the session. According to market data, the index was recorded at 150,408.24, down 799.57 points or 0.53% at the time of reporting. During the session so far, it touched a high of 150,719.91 and a low of 149,129.41, indicating continued volatility. Trading activity remained robust, with volume reaching 101,357,271 shares and total value standing at 7,434,818,860, compared to the previous close of 151,207.81. Read: PSX recoups losses on ceasefire hopes AKD Securities Director Research Mohammed Awais Ashraf told The Express Tribune that KSE-100 remains under pressure since the opening bell as the prospect of escalation in the Middle East war and the looming deadline for a deal to be reached kept investors on the sidelines. Investors are anticipating a positive development and the market is likely to recover the losses, he added.  Trading remained underway at the time of filing this report, with analysts closely watching whether selling pressure persists or if value-hunting investors step in to stabilise the market. However, some recovery was witnessed on hopes that the government of Pakistan may achieve success in its diplomatic efforts, with the benchmark KSE-100 Index trading at 151,116.56, still down 91.25 points, or 0.06%, during the session.