The bloodbath at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) has intensified today, Tuesday, February 17, 2026, with the benchmark KSE-100 Index plunging over 1,500 points in early trade. This follows a historic rout on Monday, where the index suffered its third-largest absolute drop in history, losing over 5,000 points.
The market is currently seeing a massive wipeout of investor wealth, with the index falling to the 172,000 range, a sharp correction from its all-time high of 191,000 reached just weeks ago in January.
Good morning traders.
One good trade, well executed.
You don’t need many trades, you need the right ones. pic.twitter.com/lqascaT29e— SadiqBytes (@SadiqBytes) February 17, 2026
Market Snapshot (Tuesday, 11:10 AM)
- Current Level: 172,866.87 points
- Intraday Change: -1587.06 points (-0.91%)
- Previous Close (Monday): 174,453.93 points
- Trading Volume: 112.6 million shares (Value: Rs 7.25 billion)
The “Four Pillars” of the Crash
Analysts from Topline Securities and Arif Habib Ltd attribute this sustained bearish momentum to a combination of internal and external triggers:
- Aggressive Foreign Outflows: Foreign corporate investors have been net sellers, offloading nearly $25 million in the last 48 hours alone. This “flow-driven” correction is causing panic among domestic retail investors.
- Reko Diq Security Review: Reports that Barrick Gold is conducting a “security review” of the $7 billion Reko Diq project in Balochistan—following recent insurgent attacks—have unnerved institutional investors who view the project as a cornerstone of future FDI.
- Political “Noise”: The ongoing opposition sit-ins at Parliament House regarding Imran Khan’s health and legal status, combined with a 72-hour siege of protesters inside the capital, have created a climate of uncertainty.
- IMF Anxiety: While a review mission is expected later this month for the $7 billion EFF, the market remains wary of “super tax” enforcement and seasonal Ramadan slowdowns in cyclical sectors.
Active Stocks & Performance
| Symbol | Price (PKR) | Change | Volume |
| K-Electric (KEL) | 7.82 | -3.81% | 50.5 Million |
| Bank of Punjab (BOP) | 31.95 | -3.91% | 10.5 Million |
| Worldcall (WTL) | 1.53 | Stable | 15.7 Million |
Top Gainer: Metropolitan Steel (MSCL) +10.02%- Top Decliners: LSE Capital (LSEC) -22.47%, Engro Powergen (EPQL) -10.01%
What the Analysts Say
Analysts suggest that the 170,000–172,000 range will be a critical support level. If the index fails to hold this floor, it could test the 165,000 mark. Conversely, 180,000 has now shifted from a floor to a strong resistance level for any potential recovery.
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