KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) snapped its three-day losing streak as investors turned to value-hunting after a government minister confirmed that former Prime Minister Imran Khan had returned to Adiala jail following a brief medical check-up on Friday morning. This eased political tensions, helping the benchmark index resist further declines as attractive valuations drew renewed buying interest.
Topline Securities Ltd said the KSE 100 index largely traded sideways during the first half of the trading session. However, some investor interest was observed in the latter hours of the trade, as the index gained to an intraday high of 177,583.36 and finally settled at 177,166.52, up 574.76 points or 0.33 per cent.
Ali Najib, Deputy Head of Trading at Arif Habib Ltd, said the PSX recorded a positive session after a bearish spell. The power sector led the recovery, with Hub Power attracting value hunters after falling nearly 14pc from its recent high of Rs227.9 on Aug 10. At around Rs200, the stock offered an anticipated dividend yield of nearly 10pc, while its diversified portfolio of growth businesses further strengthened investor interest.
Meanwhile, reports of a refinery agreement expected to be signed within the next 10 days kept the refinery sector in the green, with Pakistan Refinery and Cnergyico PK hitting their upper circuits, up 10pc.
On the corporate front, Engro Holdings reported 2QCY26 earnings per share of Rs7.45, down 70pc year-on-year and 7pc quarter-on-quarter.
On the index contribution front, Oil and Gas Development Company, Hub Power, Attock Refinery, Service Industries, Pakistan Petroleum, Mari Energies, Cnergyico PK, Lucky Cement, Fatima Fertiliser, and Pakistan State Oil collectively added 672 points to the benchmark index.
Investor participation improved, with trading volume rising 3.6pc to 689 million shares and total trading value increasing 15.80pc to Rs35.65bn. Cnergyico PK topped the volume chart with 250mn shares.
Analysts anticipate heightened volatility amid geopolitical developments, with the continued upward spiral in oil prices dictating market direction in the coming week.
Published in Dawn, August 22nd, 2026
