KARACHI: Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) 100-index lost 74 points to fall to 28,493.74 on Monday as the federal capital remained tense after the supporters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri tried to enter the Prime Minister’s House.
The market opened on a depressing note over the political turmoil and straight away lost around 300 points. Meanwhile, both Khan and Qadri have encouraged their supporters to battle on and police also resorted to teargas shells to stop the protesters’ advancement toward the Prime Minister’s House. At least three people have been killed and hundreds of others are injured in the clashes.
A confusion prevailed in the stock market after reports that shipping containers were being set ablaze. The current political crisis in the country muted the performance of the stock market as the first time in the history of Pakistan, the state-run Pakistan Television Corporation building was taken over by a violent mob and transmissions were suspended.
The stocks, however, recovered some points after the hope of peace as Khan and Qadri appealed to their supporters to remain peaceful.