By S.M. Inam
KARACHI: Shares fell steeply on the Pakistan Stock Exchange on Friday, as regional uncertainty in the Middle East weighed heavily on investor sentiment, wiping out billions in market value.
The benchmark KSE-100 Index opened in negative territory at the start of the fourth trading day of the week, dropping by more than 1,000 points in early trade. Selling pressure persisted throughout the session, with the index closing down 2,405 points at 169,173.
Trading volumes remained substantial despite the downturn, with more than 310 million shares exchanged, amounting to a total value of over Rs20bn.
The latest losses extend a broader downward trend. In the previous session, the KSE-100 had already fallen by 1,576 points to settle at 171,579, underscoring continued volatility in the market.
Analysts said heightened geopolitical risks, particularly linked to instability in the Middle East, have fuelled caution among investors, prompting widespread selling across key sectors.
