Trading at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) was suspended for an hour on Monday as the benchmark KSE-100 index plunged by more than 8,000 points, primarily driven by the imposition of sweeping tariffs by the United States. Financial analysts cited concerns over a potential global recession as the key factor behind the dramatic fall in the stock market.
Following the one-hour halt, the PSX experienced another drop of 2,000 points when trading resumed, culminating in a record 8,600 points decline during intraday trade, as per PTI report.
The index closed at 114,909.48, reflecting a loss of 3,882.18 points or 3.27% from its previous close.
Uzma Khan, a financial analyst at Arif Habib Securities, explained that automatic circuit breakers are implemented to prevent panic selling, offering investors the time to reassess their positions during periods of extreme market volatility.
She attributed the sharp market decline to investor fears of a global recession, triggered by the tariff hikes imposed by the United States, as well as retaliatory measures from other economies.
Earlier in the day, the KSE-100 index had dropped by 6,287.22 points, or 5.29%, by 11:58 am before trading was temporarily halted. Upon reopening, the index saw a cumulative decline of 8,687.69 points, or 7.31%, from the previous close, standing at 110,103.97 by 1:15 pm.
By 2:02 pm, the index stood at 113,154.63, down by 5,637.03 points or 4.75% from the last close.