KSE-100 Sheds Over 1,300 Points on July 24 as Rising Oil and Middle East Tensions Reverse Session Gains
Pakistan's KSE-100 index shed over 1,300 points on Thursday in a session that opened positively before sustained selling pressure — driven by geopolitical tension and rising global crude — pulled the benchmark well into negative territory. The index touched an intraday high of 175,237 before sliding to a low of 171,655, as energy and industrial stocks led broad-based declines.
By Frontpage.devJuly 24, 2026 · 8:53 am PKT · 1 min read
(Bloom Pakistan)
The KSE-100 benchmark fell sharply on July 24, shedding over 1,300 points by close in a session that began with the index briefly touching an intraday high of 175,237.59 before sentiment turned (Business Recorder).
Selling intensified through the mid-session and accelerated in the final trading hour, dragging the index to a low of 171,655.09. Energy, industrial and banking stocks led the decline in broad-based selling that analysts attributed to two compounding pressures: the continued escalation of the US-Iran conflict — now entering its third week of resumed hostilities following the June 17 ceasefire collapse — and Brent crude touching $100 per barrel for the first time since May.
Pakistan’s daily petroleum pricing mechanism has transmitted global crude movements directly into domestic prices; petrol reached Rs331.52 per litre for July 24, its highest recorded level. Rising input costs across logistics, manufacturing and agriculture have fed through to corporate earnings expectations, prompting profit-taking across sectors exposed to fuel costs.
The session’s losses came despite a recently announced sovereign credit rating upgrade for Pakistan, which had been expected to underpin market confidence. The external environment proved the heavier weight. Market participants are watching whether crude stabilises above $100 or recedes as diplomatic efforts to restore the US-Iran ceasefire continue.
