Story perspectives

Pakistan's KSE-100 Plummets Amid Rising Oil Prices

3/21/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Pakistan's KSE-100 Index fell 1,125.79 points to 152,740.38, down 0.73% week-on-week.
The decline was driven by rising oil prices to $116 per barrel after attacks on energy infrastructure in the Middle East.
Market capitalization dropped 1.76% to Rs4.43 trillion.
Contributors included Muslim Commercial Bank (MCB) and United Bank Limited (UBL), while National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) and Engro Corporation (ENGRO) weighed on the index.

History

Historical Context

The 1973 oil crisis, triggered by the Arab oil embargo during the Yom Kippur War, caused oil prices to surge from $3 to nearly $12 per barrel, leading to widespread inflation and economic stagnation in Western countries. This crisis reshaped energy policies and market dynamics, with lasting impacts evident today as rising oil prices again threaten economic stability, exemplified by Pakistan's KSE-100 Index decline amid current oil prices of $116 per barrel.

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Story summary

Pakistan's KSE-100 Index fell 1,125.79 points to 152,740.38, down 0.73% week-on-week.
The decline was driven by rising oil prices to $116 per barrel after attacks on energy infrastructure in the Middle East.
Market capitalization dropped 1.76% to Rs4.43 trillion.
Contributors included Muslim Commercial Bank (MCB) and United Bank Limited (UBL), while National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) and Engro Corporation (ENGRO) weighed on the index.

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