Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) benchmark index, the KSE-100, closed in the red, down 5,149.80 points from its previous close.

The index lost 2.87 per cent from its previous close of 179,603.73 points to close at 174,453.93 points.

Trading volumes stood at 378,714,148 at a value of Rs37,382,003,783.

The intraday high was 179,969.22 points, and the intraday low was 173,574.26, representing a heightened amount of volatility.

The 1-year change was a positive 55.64pc while the year-to-date change was a rise of 0.23pc.

Topline Securities noted that “the steep drop was primarily driven by foreign outflows, as reflected in the previous session’s data”.

The brokerage house added that “escalating political noise further dampened investor confidence, intensifying the bearish momentum”.

The top active stocks were led by K-Electric Limited, falling 4.91pc to Rs8.13 at a volume of 63,826,098, followed by Worldcall Telecom Limited, falling 6.13pc to Rs1.53 at a volume of 62,243,488, and Bank of Punjab, falling 8.55pc to Rs33.25 at a volume of 56,166,941.

The top advancing stocks were led by Trust Securities & Brokerage Limited, rising 19.90pc to Rs2.29, followed by 786 Investments Limited, rising 10.03pc to Rs17.88, and Tariq Corporation Limited(Pref), rising 10.01pc to Rs16.93.

The top decliners were LSE Capital Limited (Right), down 22.61pc to Rs1.78; Gulistan Spinning Mills Limited, down 12.09pc to Rs11.58, and Kohinoor Industries Limited, down 10.01pc to Rs50.27.

Topline Securities noted that index-heavy constituents, including Fauji Fertiliser Company, United Bank Limited, Engro Holdings, Habib Bank Limited, and Bank AL Habib Limited, emerged as the primary laggards, collectively eroding 1,680 points from the benchmark during the session.

Bears remained dominant in the market last week, with Topline Securities noting that the ongoing negative momentum was due to the “ongoing result session, where corporate results fell short of investors’ expectations”.