KARACHI: Despite persistent uncertainty on the geopolitical front, the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Wednesday witnessed selective value hunting, helping the market reverse a three-session losing streak and propel the benchmark KSE-100 index above the 180,000 milestone.
Topline Securities Ltd said the bulls made a strong comeback after continuous profit-taking since Friday, as investors returned to the market following recent profit-taking. The index hit an intraday high of 1,054 points at 180,901.27 before settling at 180,311.22, up 464.53 points or 0.26 per cent.
Meanwhile, towards the close, sentiment received an additional boost after reports emerged that the US and Iran had agreed to extend their ceasefire, ahead of the expiry of the 60-day deadline under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, according to Anadolu Agency, citing a Pakistani source.
KSE-100 index settles above 180,000 level
On the positive side, Pakistan Oilfield, Mari Energies, Habib Bank, Hub Power, and Bank Alfalah emerged as the major gainers, collectively contributing approximately 410 points to the benchmark.
Market participation, however, remained subdued, with total traded volume falling 13.48pc to 744 million shares and the traded value dipping 17.16pc to Rs32.19bn. Cnergyico PK led the volume chart, with 67.7mn shares changing hands.
According to Arif Habib Ltd, the PSX recovered ground as selective buying pushed the benchmark index back above the 180,000 level.
Iran and Pakistan agreed to expand petroleum-product exports and to form specialised working groups to pursue the long-delayed gas pipeline project. Sui Southern Gas Company rose 2.74pc and Sui Northern Gas Pipelines gained 2.31pc.
Market sentiment was also bolstered by regional diplomacy. Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Tahir Andrabi, said the deadline for a US-Iran MoU could be extended as it approaches. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi delivered what he described as a “special and important message” from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir to the Iranian leadership on the regional situation.
Analysts noted that support remains intact in the 178,000-180,000 zone, from which a rally towards 190,000 could materialise.
Published in Dawn, August 13th, 2026
