Pakistan's KSE-100 Index Jumps 12,000 Points, Trading Paused After Ceasefire Rally

Pakistan’s benchmark equity index staged its biggest-ever intraday rally on April 8, surging over 12,000 points after news of a ceasefire between the US and Iran boosted investor sentiment, according to local daily Dawn.

The KSE-100 index at the Pakistan Stock Exchange jumped 12,362.38 points, or 8.15%, to 164,035.83 in early trade. Following the sharp surge, trading was temporarily halted in line with exchange regulations.

The move marks the largest single-day gain in absolute terms for the KSE-100 index, the report said.

The rally was triggered by confirmation of a two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran. Under the agreement, Washington agreed to pause military operations while Tehran committed to reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a critical

global oil shipping route.

US President Donald Trump said the US would suspend planned strikes on Iran for two weeks, provided the strait is reopened fully and safely. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also confirmed that Tehran would allow safe passage through the waterway during this period.

The sharp rebound comes after weeks of volatility on the Pakistan Stock Exchange, driven by escalating tensions in West Asia.

A day earlier, the KSE-100 index had ended 465.64 points higher after fluctuating through the session, as investors remained cautious ahead of a US deadline for Iran’s response.

The market had also seen steep losses earlier in the conflict. On March 2, the index plunged 16,089 points, or 9.57%, marking its sharpest single-day fall, following reports of the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The ceasefire is expected to pave the way for fresh negotiations between the US and Iran, with talks likely to be held in Islamabad. Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the truce would take immediate effect and expressed hope for a “conclusive agreement” through upcoming discussions.