March 30, 2026 (MLN): After Friday’s heavy losses, the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) opened Monday’s session under renewed pressure, with the benchmark KSE‑100 Index trading sharply lower amid heightened geopolitical tensions and rising global oil prices.

As of 11:30 AM, the KSE‑100 Index was recorded at 145,750.30, down 5,957.21 points or 3.93% from the previous close.

The index moved in a wide intraday range of 6,100.82 points, touching an early high of 151,813.61 (+106.10) before sliding to a low of 145,712.79 (-5,994.72), reflecting investor caution in a volatile session. Total traded volume stood at 119.57 million shares.

Market activity was broadly negative, with 98 stocks declining, one advancing, and one unchanged.

Among the early laggards were AIRLINK (-9.66%), MEHT (-9.35%), GAL (-9.29%), NBP (-9.05%), and PAEL (-8.86%). On the other hand, limited gains were seen in MTL (+0.67%).

Investors remained cautious amid renewed geopolitical concerns, as edged higher on reports that Yemen’s Houthi forces had launched projectiles toward Israel, intensifying fears of broader conflict spillovers from the Middle East.

Oil markets also reacted to comments by Donald Trump, suggesting a possible approach toward Iran involving control over its oil resources  remarks that reignited supply risk fears and contributed to upward pressure on crude prices.

Furthermore, Pakistan’s domestic uncertainties also weighed on sentiment, as  a possible lockdown  raises fears of disruptions to business activity, logistics, and consumer demand, intensifying selling pressure in local markets.

Diplomatic efforts are ongoing, with stepping up mediation between Iran and the United States, but uncertainty over timing and outcomes contributed to cautious trading.

The combination of heightened regional tensions and strengthening oil prices weighed heavily on sentiment, with markets bracing for further volatility as geopolitical developments unfold.

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