The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) was forced to suspend trading today as the KSE-100 index plummeted by more than 8,500 points, marking one of the largest single-day declines in the market’s history. The crash follows a global market meltdown triggered by the controversial imposition of tariffs by former US President Donald Trump.
The new round of tariffs, aimed at reducing trade deficits and shifting the global economic landscape, sent shockwaves through markets worldwide, with the PSX being no exception. As the tariffs took effect, international stock markets responded with massive sell-offs, which reverberated across emerging markets, including Pakistan.
The KSE-100 index, which tracks the performance of the largest companies listed on the exchange, dropped sharply in early trading, with analysts predicting further declines as the full impact of the tariffs begins to unfold.
“The market is in turmoil right now, and the suspension of trading was necessary to prevent further panic-selling,” said a senior economist. “This is an unprecedented situation where global factors are directly impacting the local stock market, and it will take some time for investor confidence to recover.”
Financial experts are closely monitoring the situation, as the fallout from Trump’s tariffs threatens to undermine Pakistan’s fragile economic stability. The market suspension will remain in effect until further notice, as authorities assess the damage and take necessary steps to stabilize the situation.
Investors are urged to remain cautious, with many calling for increased government intervention to mitigate the economic fallout.
