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Pakistan stock market KSE-30 falls 9.8% to record low; trading resumes after hour-long haltThe KSE-30 Index declined 9.8% in the day. It later pared its decline to 7.3% after trading resumed post an hour-long halt.By CNBCTV18.com March 2, 2026, 1:46:32 PM IST (Updated)1 Min ReadThe Karachi Stock Exchange index fell to its record low on Monday, March 2, after geopolitical tensions in the Middle East escalated post Israel and US' strikes on Iran over the weekend.

The KSE-30 Index declined 9.8% in the day. It later pared its decline to 7.3% after trading resumed post an hour-long halt.

Pakistan has also witnessed pro-Iran protestors across the nation, with around 30 people killed in clashes with the policy as they tried storming the gates of the US Consulate in Karachi on Sunday.

Meanwhile, tensions with Afghanistan have also escalated, with Pakistan declaring “open war” with the country as both sides carried out cross-border strikes reaching as far as the Afghan capital and leaving at least hundreds dead.

Renewed tensions led the KSE-30 Index briefly enter bear-market territory on Monday, with the gauge falling more than 20% from a high in January. That’s likely to hit sentiment after an expanding investment base and stable government led to a nearly 50% rally in local stocks last year.

With inputs from Bloomberg

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