The KSE-100 index fell on Monday, reflecting a shaky start to the week for Pakistan’s equity market, as heavy selling pushed the benchmark sharply lower by early afternoon. The index was down 4,360.66 points by 1:10 pm, or 2.83 per cent from its previous close of 153,866.16, dropping more than 4,300 points on Monday amid volatility in Pakistani equities.
During the session, the KSE-100 touched an intraday high of 153,943.69 and a low of 149,385.39, underscoring the scale of the swings investors faced.
The latest decline followed the benchmark’s seventh straight week of losses, with sentiment remaining weak as investors sought clearer economic signals.
Two main factors continued to weigh on Pakistani equities. One was the absence of fresh positive economic developments, while the other was the delay in finalising a Staff-Level Agreement with the International Monetary Fund for Pakistan’s third review under its $7 billion Extended Fund Facility.
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At the same time, higher global oil prices added another layer of pressure. Oil moved above $100 a barrel on Monday as the Iran conflict disrupted supply routes and raised fears about inflation and energy costs.
For Pakistan, that matters because it is an oil-importing economy. Rising crude prices can worsen inflation concerns and deepen pressure on investor sentiment.
The recent oil spike followed US-Israel aggression against Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil shipping route. Broader reporting also noted that the conflict has disrupted oil flows through the Gulf and unsettled global commodity markets.
That backdrop has made investors more cautious. As a result, traders are watching not just domestic policy developments, but also geopolitical risks that could keep global energy prices elevated.
