The Pakistan stock market today opened under heavy pressure, with the KSE-100—the main benchmark of the Pakistan Stock Exchange—down 630.01 points, or 0.39%, at 161,744.83 by 12:45pm on Monday, 26 October 2026. Earlier in the session the index had fallen by more than 1,000 points and touched 161,250.06 before recovering some ground.
Selling was broad. Shares in automobile assemblers, cement, banks, energy exploration, oil marketing, power and refinery companies were among those under pressure as investors stayed cautious ahead of a key policy day.
Why the market is under pressure
Traders were focused on the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP, the country’s central bank) monetary policy announcement due on Monday. Analysts expected a 50-basis-point rate increase—half a percentage point on the policy rate that influences borrowing costs across the economy.
Inflation concerns, external shocks and Middle East tensions added to the uncertainty. That mix left many investors unwilling to add risk until the rate decision and the wider regional picture became clearer.
Oil and global mood
Global markets were also cautious, with major Asian indices lower or flat. Oil prices, which had climbed close to six-month highs the previous week, eased on Monday: Brent crude stood at $114.51 a barrel and US West Texas Intermediate at $101.04. Lower oil futures did not reverse the day’s selling in local energy-linked and other sectors, as attention stayed on the Pakistan stock market today and the pending SBP call.
Timeline: what has happened so far
- Previous week: The KSE-100 lost 4,044.84 points, or 2.4%, extending its run of weekly declines to five weeks.
- Previous week: International oil prices rose close to six-month highs before Monday’s pullback.
- Monday morning, 26 Oct 2026: The index fell by more than 1,000 points and reached 161,250.06.
- Monday, 12:45pm: The KSE-100 was down 630.01 points, or 0.39%, at 161,744.83.
- Monday: The market awaited the SBP monetary policy announcement, with analysts expecting a 50-basis-point increase.
What to watch next
The immediate focus is the SBP policy decision and how investors react once the rate path is known. Until then, the Pakistan stock market today remains sensitive to rate expectations, regional news and moves in global oil and Asian equities.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Aaj subah Pakistan ke stock market mein share gir rahe the; KSE-100 dopahar tak lagbhag 630 points neeche tha. Log State Bank ke rate faisle ka intezar kar rahe hain, jis mein analysts 50 basis points (aadha percent) izafa soch rahe hain. Pichhle hafte bhi market kaafi gira tha. Agar aap ke paas shares ya mutual funds hain, to aaj ki giraawat unki value pe asar dal sakti hai.
