The Pakistan Stock Exchange’s (PSX) benchmark index KSE-100 surged by over 12,000 points during intraday trade on Wednesday as investors reacted to the positive developments of a ceasefire between the United States and Iran.

The KSE-100 index surged by 12,362.38 points, or 8.15 per cent, to stand at 164,035.83 at 9:37am.

Subsequently, trading was temporarily suspended in accordance with PSX regulations.

The gains mark the highest single-day rally in absolute terms in PSX history, surpassing the previous highest-ever gain of 10,123 on May 12, 2025, after Pakistan shot down seven Indian fighter planes.

On Tuesday, the PSX had closed up by 465.64 points after witnessing extreme volatility as investors had remained highly nervous ahead of the expiry of a US deadline for Iran to agree to a deal.

Analysts believe that the ceasefire will be crucial for the short-term market direction.

Any de-escalation in the Middle East could stabilise sentiment and reduce oil price pressures, and vice versa. This could restore investor confidence, increase inflows, and support a recovery in the PSX.

The PSX had witnessed huge single-day losses since the US-Israel war on Iran began. It had witnessed the steepest single-day plunge, shedding 16,089 points (or 9.57pc), on March 2 following the assassination of Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.