KSE-100 Index Crash: PSX Plunges Over 13,000 Points Amid Global Market Shock
Pakistan’s stock market faced intense pressure on Monday. The KSE-100 index crash triggered panic selling across the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX). As a result, the benchmark index lost more than 13,000 points in early trading. The market opened sharply lower and quickly slid deeper. Investors rushed to sell shares as uncertainty spread across global markets.
By 9:22am, the benchmark KSE-100 index dropped to 147,715 points. That marked a fall of nearly 9,800 points within minutes.
Consequently, trading authorities triggered a market halt. This step temporarily suspended equity trading to control extreme volatility.
Major companies also traded in the red. Energy and banking stocks recorded heavy losses during the early session.
Weak Investor Confidence Continues
Last week already showed signs of stress. The market had fallen sharply due to geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty. During the week, the benchmark index dropped more than 10,500 points. It closed near 157,496 points compared to 168,062 points the previous week.
Investor confidence remained fragile. Therefore, even small shocks quickly pushed markets lower.
Global Markets Also Under Pressure
International markets also struggled on Monday. Asian stocks declined as investors reacted to rising inflation risks. Energy prices surged sharply worldwide. Higher fuel costs often push up inflation and interest rates. As a result, investors moved toward safer assets such as the US dollar.
Oil markets saw historic gains. Brent crude jumped above $114 per barrel, marking its largest daily rise in decades. US crude also surged past $115 per barrel. Consequently, global petrol prices could climb rapidly in the coming weeks.
Geopolitical Tensions Add More Uncertainty
Political developments in the Middle East added to market fears. Iran announced Mojtaba Khamenei as the successor to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. This move signals continued hardline leadership in Tehran. Meanwhile, tensions with the United States and Israel remain high. Oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz also face disruption risks. Therefore, investors expect energy prices to stay elevated. The global shock hit Asian markets hard. Japan’s Nikkei index dropped sharply, while South Korea’s market also recorded steep losses. China’s market declined as well, though slightly less. However, rising inflation in China could complicate economic recovery. Overall, global uncertainty continues to weigh on financial markets. Consequently, volatility may persist in the coming weeks.
