The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) triggered an immediate trading halt this morning after the KSE-30 Index plunged 5%, triggering automatic circuit breakers. The KSE-100 Index was last seen at 152,991.15, down a staggering 15,071 points or 8.97%—one of the sharpest single-session drops in recent history.
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The exchange implemented its volatility control mechanisms at 9:29 AM PST, suspending all equity trading and canceling all outstanding orders. The move follows intense selling pressure across sectors amid escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
Market Snapshot
| Index | Last Value | Point Change | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| KSE-100 | 152,991.15 | ▼ -15,071.01 | -8.97% |
| KSE-30 | 46,486.83 | ▼ -4,835.56 | -9.42% |
| KMI-30 | 213,452.90 | ▼ -21,872.22 | -9.29% |
| All Shares | 91,893.31 | ▼ -8,525.52 | -8.49% |
| BKTi (Banking) | 44,288.83 | ▼ -4,826.59 | -9.83% |
| OGTi (Oil & Gas) | 29,141.39 | ▼ -3,175.39 | -9.83% |
Data as of market halt, March 2, 2026
What Happened
| Trigger | Consequence |
|---|---|
| KSE-30 fell 5% from previous close | Automatic circuit breaker activated |
| Panic selling across all sectors | Trading suspended at 9:29 AM PST |
| Outstanding orders cancelled | Market in cooldown period |
| Pre-open session scheduled | 10:22 AM PST |
| Market resumption expected | 10:27 AM PST |
Why This Matters
This marks one of the most severe market corrections in PSX history. The scale of selling is unprecedented in recent years:
Every single listed stock was trading in negative territory before the halt
94 companies recorded declines, zero in positive territory
5 stocks remained untraded—investors simply wouldn’t buy
KSE-100 intraday low hit 152,717.46 (▼ -15,344 points)
Top Losers
| Symbol | Company | % Decline |
|---|---|---|
| YOUW | [Name] | ▼ -17.66% |
| CNERGY | CNERGY | ▼ -10.14% |
| UNITY | Unity Foods | ▼ -10.03% |
| DHPL | [Name] | ▼ -10.01% |
| SSGC | Sui Southern Gas | ▼ -10.01% |
*Only minimal gainers: PGLC (+0.15%), TPLRF1 (unchanged), MEHT (unchanged)*
Sectors Worst Hit
| Sector | Contribution to Decline |
|---|---|
| Commercial Banks | Heaviest selling |
| Fertilizer | Major index drag |
| Oil & Gas Exploration | Significant losses |
| Cement | Broad-based decline |
| Investment Banks | Panic selling |
Heavyweights Leading the Fall
The bulk of index-point losses came from blue-chip giants:
- FFC (Fauji Fertilizer)
- UBL (United Bank Limited)
- ENGROH (Engro Holdings)
- OGDC (Oil & Gas Development Co.)
- MEBL (Meezan Bank)
Why the Panic?
The sell-off is directly linked to escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Early morning news of US-Israel strikes on Iran and the reported death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei triggered:
Global risk-off sentiment
Foreign investor flight from emerging markets
Local institutional panic selling
Retail investor fear driving further declines
What Happens Next
| Time (PST) | Event |
|---|---|
| 10:22 AM | Pre-open session begins |
| 10:27 AM | Official market resumption |
| Ongoing | Volatility controls remain active |
| TBD | Circuit breaker if further 5% drop occurs |
Official Statement
“Trading is currently suspended as the exchange implements its volatility control measures. All outstanding orders have been cancelled by the system during the halt. Investors are advised to exercise caution as the market stabilizes.”
— PSX Official Notification
