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PSX crashes nearly 3,700 points on security jitters | The Express Tribune
Reko Diq review, Islamabad blast trigger panic selling; KSE-100 Index closes at 184,130 points
KARACHI:
The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) suffered its recent sharpest single-day drop in weeks on Friday, with the benchmark KSE-100 Index plunging over 3,700 points to close at over 184,100.
The PSX came under heavy selling pressure today, with the KSE-100 Index declining by 3,703 points (-1.97%) to close at 184,130.
“Investor sentiment weakened amid a deteriorating security situation in Balochistan, where Barrick Mining announced a comprehensive review of capital allocation, security arrangements, development timeline, and budget for the Reko Diq project,” said Ali Najib, deputy head of trading at Arif Habib Ltd.
Additionally, a blast in Islamabad during Friday prayers further exacerbated already fragile market confidence.
On the corporate front, Gillette Pakistan saw strong buying interest after its majority shareholder accepted the proposed PSX buy-back price of Rs700 per share. The stock hit its upper circuit and closed at Rs617.02, up 10%.
Index heavyweights, including NBP, FFC, PPL, UBL, MEBL, HUBC, OGDC, ENGROH, BAHL, and LUCK, collectively shaved 2,304 points off the index.
Despite the sell-off, market activity remained robust, with volumes at 1,266.2 million shares and turnover of Rs60.2 billion. KEL led volumes with 517.8m shares traded, reflecting continued retail participation.
PSX ended the week on a flattish note, with the KSE-100 Index marginally down 45 points (-0.02%).
The index opened at 184,442, touched an intra-week high of 188,312, slid to a low of 182,792, and closed at 184,130.
Going forward, the PSX is likely to remain in a consolidation phase, with the KSE-100 Index expected to trade within the 180–190k range, where 180,000 should serve as a strong support. However, any deterioration in domestic law and order or adverse geopolitical developments remains a key downside risk.
new video loaded: How Kharg Island May Change the Trajectory of the Iran War
By Peter Eavis, Gilad Thaler, Edward Vega, Lauren Pruitt and Joey Sendaydiego
March 25, 2026
Crude rose back above $100 a barrel as the US and Iran clashed over bringing the conflict to an end.
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President Donald Trump said he’s considering sending the National Guard to U.S. airports, two days after the administration deployed Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to several major U.S. airports following hourslong waits for travelers because of the partial government shutdown.
In a Truth Social post Wednesday, Trump blamed Democrats for the shutdown, which began Feb. 14.
“Thank you to our great ICE Patriots for helping. It makes a big difference,” he wrote in his post. “I may call up the National Guard for more help.”
Travelers wait in line at a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoint at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) in Atlanta, Georgia, US, on Monday, March 23, 2026.
Elijah Nouvelage | Bloomberg | Getty Images
More than 11% of TSA officers called out on Wednesday and over 450 have quit since the shutdown started, the Department of Homeland Security said.
Elevated absences of Transportation Security Administration officers, who are required to work though they’re not getting paid during the shutdown, have contributed to long lines at major U.S. airports, including in Atlanta, Houston and New York.
The DHS, which oversees both ICE and and the TSA, said the ICE agents will “support airports facing the greatest strain” but the department didn’t respond to requests for comment on what the ICE agents’ duties are. ICE agents are getting paid in the shutdown.
Airlines have been warning customers about potentially long security lines, while executives grow increasingly frustrated with lawmakers about the impasse. On Tuesday, Delta Air Lines said it suspended its airport escorts and other special services for members of Congress and their staff because of the ongoing partial shutdown of the DHS.
The shutdown comes as Democrats in Congress have demanded changes to how federal immigration enforcement operates in exchange for releasing DHS funding after two U.S. citizens were shot and killed by ICE officers in Minneapolis.
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