PSX falls below 170k over regional conflict

Share prices on the Pakistan Stock Exchange fell on Tuesday, with the KSE-100 index losing 825.22 points, or 0.48 per cent, to finish at 169,600.41, according to The Express Tribune. The index had opened firmly, rising to 170,749.97 by 9:38am, but the gains reversed as selling spread through the session. It traded between an intra-day low of 169,538.23 and a high of 170,944.35 before the close.

Sentiment was dented by the US-Iran conflict, where diplomatic efforts had yet to produce a breakthrough, and by higher oil prices tied to uncertainty over Middle Eastern supplies. Commercial banks, oil and gas companies, fertiliser makers and cement firms were among the main laggards, while chemical and tobacco shares edged higher. Trading volume climbed to 568 million shares from 421 million on Monday, with the value of shares traded reaching Rs20.8 billion.

Separately, Pakistan and the IMF formally opened talks on the fourth review under the $7 billion Extended Fund Facility and the third review under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility, with Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb chairing the first meeting with the visiting mission. On the corporate side, Air Link Communication posted FY26 net profit of Rs6,226 million, up 31 per cent year on year, supported by solid gross margins and tax reversal gains. It paid Rs2 per share for the full year despite skipping the fourth-quarter payout.