The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) came under sustained pressure on Monday as bearish sentiment dominated trading, leading to a sharp market selloff.

The benchmark KSE-100 Index tumbled to an intraday low of 157,678 points, reflecting a steep decline of 5,420 points.

Although some recovery emerged later in the session, the index eventually closed at 158,443 — down 4,654 points or 2.85 per cent for the day.

According to Topline Securities, market participants attributed the pronounced downward trend to mounting investor anxiety over escalating geopolitical tensions and a worsening law-and-order situation, both of which undermined overall confidence and triggered broad-based selling across key sectors.

Heavyweight stocks, including Bank Al Habib Limited (BAHL), Engro Corporation (ENGRO), Lucky Cement (LUCK), Oil and Gas Development Company (OGDC), and Mari Petroleum (MARI), were among the major laggards, collectively eroding 1,261 points from the benchmark index.

Despite the sharp downturn, trading activity remained notably strong, with total traded volume recorded at 1,361 million shares and traded value reaching Rs62 billion.

K-Electric Limited (KEL) led the volume chart with 197 million shares changing hands.