Karachi: The KSE-100 Index surged by 1,674 points to close at 167,191, marking a significant trading day with 854 million shares exchanged. The top performers in terms of price change were Bank of Punjab (BOP), Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC), and GADT, while the biggest decliners included SRVI, MEHT, and ILP. Trading activity was predominantly focused in the Technology, Power, and Banking sectors.

According to Taurus Securities Limited, the impressive performance of the KSE-100 Index comes amid heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, particularly between the United States and Iran. U.S. negotiators left talks without reaching a peace agreement, with Iran setting preconditions for further discussions. Simultaneously, President Trump expressed gratitude to Pakistan for hosting the negotiations but announced a U.S. Navy blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, further threatening to dismantle Iran's energy infrastructure if a deal is not reached.

The failed talks have resulted in a spike in oil prices, now surging above $100 per barrel. As the situation remains volatile, debt pressures have prompted a global initiative to address economic challenges, with expectations that global growth may suffer due to the ongoing Middle East conflict. Despite these tensions, the State Bank of Pakistan has allowed exchange companies to conduct five-day forward sales against remittances, while Pakistan's government has adopted a one-week fuel pricing plan to mitigate the impact of rising oil prices on its economy.