PSX Slips Nearly 1,500 Points by Midday, Halts Trading for Friday Break

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) halted trading at midday on Friday for the regular Friday prayers break, with the benchmark KSE-100 Index down 1,494.09 points, or 0.85 percent, at 173,885.77.

The index opened lower and moved in a volatile range during the morning session. It reached an intraday high of 174,329.76 before slipping to a low of 172,809.89. By the time of the break, it was well below the previous close of 175,379.86.

Trading volume reached 112.19 million shares, while the value of shares traded amounted to Rs7.38 billion. The market was expected to resume after the prayers break and continue until the regular close.

Market participants attributed the early weakness to a combination of profit-taking after recent gains and lingering caution over economic and geopolitical developments.

Select blue-chip stocks in the banking, cement, and energy sectors saw selling pressure, though activity remained moderate ahead of the scheduled suspension.

Investors will watch for direction in the second half of the session once trading reopens, with focus on any fresh corporate announcements or external cues that could influence sentiment before the weekend close.

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