KARACHI, October 23, 2026: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) closed the week on a negative note on Friday, with the benchmark KSE-100 Index declining sharply amid Middle East tensions, uncertainty over interest rates and cautious investor sentiment ahead of the weekend.
According to the provided figures, the KSE-100 Index fell 1,549 points to close at 162,347, while the KSE-30 Index dropped 490 points to settle at 47,823.
Investors remained concerned about escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and the potential impact of rising international oil prices on Pakistan’s economy. The upcoming two-day market break may also have encouraged investors to reduce exposure and book profits ahead of the weekend.
Market sentiment was further influenced by expectations surrounding the State Bank of Pakistan’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting scheduled for Monday, October 26. Investors are closely monitoring the possibility of an interest rate increase and its potential impact on equities and business activity.
The market’s direction in the coming week is likely to depend on the central bank’s policy decision, developments in the Middle East and movements in international oil prices.
