KSE-100 up nearly 1,300 points as buying returns across key sectors 

KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) rebounded sharply on Thursday, with the benchmark KSE-100 Index climbing by nearly 1,300 points in early trade as investor sentiment improved across key sectors. 

By 9:48 am, the KSE-100 had gained 1,279 points, or 1 per cent, to reach 121,745, recovering from the previous day’s heavy losses. Trading volume at that hour stood at 10,116.71 points. 

Gains were broad-based, led by heavyweights in the oil, banking, and energy sectors. Stocks contributing to the rally included OGDC, PPL, MARI, HUBCO, PSO, WAFI, MCB, MEBL, NBP, and UBL. Buying interest was also seen in cement, fertiliser, refineries, and power companies. 

The strong rebound follows a steep decline on Wednesday when the index lost more than 1,500 points to close at 120,465.93. That drop was largely attributed to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and investor caution ahead of major policy signals. 

Sentiment appeared to shift on Thursday following high-level diplomatic engagement in Washington. US President Donald Trump hosted Pakistan’s Army Chief, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, for talks at the White House, a rare meeting without the presence of any senior Pakistani civilian officials. Trump described the encounter as an “honour”. 

The meeting is being viewed in Islamabad as a significant diplomatic breakthrough, especially as Indian media had recently lauded New Delhi’s engagement with US Vice President JD Vance. The optics of the army chief’s solo visit to the White House may help counter perceptions of diplomatic isolation. 

Meanwhile, global markets remained under pressure as investors monitored developments in the Middle East. Asian stocks edged lower, while safe-haven assets like gold and the Japanese yen rose on concerns over a possible US military intervention in Iran. 

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