Pakistan Stock Exchange Plunges Amid Geopolitical Concerns and IMF Review

The Pakistan Stock Exchange’s (PSX) benchmark index, the KSE-100, experienced a significant downturn on Monday, February 23, 2026, losing over 5,400 points during intraday trade. This marks at least the third major decline in the past two weeks.

KSE-100 Index Performance

The KSE-100 index closed at 167,691.08 points, a decrease of 5,478.63 points, or 3.16%, from the previous close of 173,169.71 points . The index fluctuated throughout the day, reaching a high of 174,336.85 points before falling to a low of 166,886.63 points.

Stock Movements

Top Active Stocks:

• K-Electric Limited: Down 4.61% to Rs7.66 with 36,062,769 shares traded.
• Worldcall Telecom Limited: Down 4.35% to Rs1.32 with a volume of 33,673,161.
• Bank of Punjab: Down 8.63% to Rs30.19 with a volume of 26,673,106.

Top Advancing Stocks:

• Itanz Technologies Limited: Up 10.01% to Rs13.96.
• Kohinoor Industries Limited: Up 10.00% to Rs50.60.
• S.S. Oil Mills Limited: Up 10.00% to Rs563.62.

Top Declining Stocks:

• Trust Securities & Brokerage Limited (R): Down 17.31% to Rs0.43.
• First Capital Securities Corporation: Down 15.74% to Rs4.39.
• LSE Capital Limited (Right): Down 14.91% to Rs0.97.

Recent Market Volatility

Prior to Monday’s decline, the KSE-100 had already experienced significant losses, dropping 5,149.80 points on February 16 and a record 6,683 points on February 19.

Contributing Factors

Last week’s market struggles were attributed to geopolitical tensions between the United States and Iran, combined with domestic political uncertainty. These factors triggered a substantial sell-off, pushing the KSE-100 index below the 174,000-point level.

Analyst Outlook

Analysts at AKD Securities suggest that the outcome of the upcoming International Monetary Fund (IMF) review mission, scheduled to arrive next week, and broader geopolitical developments will be key determinants of investor sentiment. The corporate results season similarly presents a potential upside, particularly if earnings exceed expectations .

PSX Index Overview (As of February 23, 2026, 1:50 PM)

• KSE100: 167,691.08 (-3.16%)
• KSE100PR: 52,607.48 (-3.16%)
• ALLSHR: 100,605.79 (-3.22%)
• KSE30: 51,327.62 (-3.23%)
• KMI30: 234,255.58 (-3.57%)
• BKTI: 49,641.17 (-2.78%)
• OGTI: 33,066.32 (-3.20%)
• KMIALLSHR: 64,318.37 (-3.29%)
• PSXDIV: 76,486.76 (-2.43%)
• UPP: 59,094.62 (-3.23%)
• NITPGI: 43,930.74 (-3.00%)
• NBPPGI: 47,744.30 (-3.24%)
• MZNPI: 28,960.80 (-3.68%)
• JSMFI: 42,617.38 (-4.41%)
• ACI: 22,875.57 (-3.87%)
• JSGBKTI: 69,986.37 (-3.23%)
• MII30: 21,355.12 (-3.44%)