The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) began the week with a strong rally, as the benchmark KSE-100 Index surged by more than 1,400 points in early trading, reflecting renewed investor optimism. Market confidence was largely driven by a positive shift in regional geopolitics following the announcement of a ceasefire agreement between Pakistan and Afghanistan, easing weeks of border tensions that had unsettled investors.
By midday, the KSE-100 Index was trading around 165,218 points, marking a gain of 1,412 points. Heavy buying was observed across major sectors, including automobile assemblers, cement, commercial banking, fertilizers, oil and gas exploration, oil marketing companies, and power generation, as investors anticipated improved economic stability.
The upward momentum came after successful peace negotiations held in Doha, Qatar, where both countries agreed to an immediate ceasefire and reaffirmed commitments to respect each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif announced that a follow-up session would be held in Istanbul, Türkiye, on October 25, aimed at establishing a joint monitoring mechanism and addressing unresolved border and trade concerns. The agreement and positive market response reflect renewed hopes for regional peace and economic recovery.
