KARACHI: Selling pressure intensified at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Tuesday as investor sentiment weakened amid growing uncertainty over the prospects of a peace agreement between the United States and Iran and the reopening of the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. The benchmark KSE-100 Index came under pressure during the trading session, losing more than 1,300 points as investors remained cautious and reduced exposure to major stocks across several sectors. At around 2pm, the KSE-100 Index stood at 179,996.62 points, showing a decline of 1,313.66 points, or 0.72%, from the previous close. The market witnessed broad-based selling, with several major sectors contributing to the decline. Automobile assemblers, cement companies, commercial banks, fertiliser manufacturers, oil and gas exploration firms and oil marketing companies (OMCs) remained under pressure. Several index-heavy stocks also traded in negative territory. Prominent companies including HUBCO, Mari Petroleum (MARI), Oil and Gas Development Company (OGDC), Fauji Fertilizer Company (FFC), Habib Bank Limited (HBL), MCB Bank, Meezan Bank (MEBL) and United Bank Limited (UBL) were among the stocks weighing on the benchmark index. Previous session also ends lower The latest decline follows a weak close in the previous trading session. On Monday, the PSX initially moved higher but lost momentum during the second half of the session as investors opted to book profits in heavyweight shares. The KSE-100 Index eventually closed at 181,310.28 points, down 119.74 points, or 0.07%. The continued weakness suggests that investors are closely monitoring developments in international markets, particularly the situation surrounding oil supplies and the Strait of Hormuz. US-Iran tensions keep markets on edge Global financial markets remained unsettled on Tuesday as hopes for an agreement between Washington and Tehran appeared to fade. Negotiations aimed at ending the conflict and restoring normal shipping through the Strait of Hormuz have encountered fresh difficulties. US President Donald Trump on Monday responded to Iran’s conditions for a possible peace agreement by putting forward his own demands, including calls for compensation related to deaths and losses associated with wars, attacks and protests. The tougher rhetoric has raised concerns that diplomatic efforts could take longer, potentially prolonging disruptions around the crucial maritime route. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important energy corridors, and prolonged disruption to shipping through the waterway could have significant consequences for crude oil supplies and global energy prices. Oil prices climb to highest level since July 31 The uncertainty surrounding the situation was reflected in international oil markets. Brent crude futures climbed to around $88 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate crude futures rose to approximately $82.45 per barrel. Both benchmarks reached their highest levels since July 31 after recording gains of roughly 5% during Monday’s trading session. Higher oil prices are a major concern for economies that depend heavily on imported energy. For Pakistan, sustained increases in global crude prices could increase the country’s import bill and place additional pressure on external accounts, inflation and domestic fuel prices. The rise in energy prices is also being closely watched by investors because higher input costs can affect corporate profitability and influence monetary policy expectations. Asian markets remain cautious The uncertainty was not limited to Pakistan. Asian equity markets moved within a narrow range as investors assessed the potential impact of rising energy prices on inflation and economic growth. MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan moved between gains and losses before trading modestly higher. South Korea’s Kospi also recorded a slight increase. However, the escalation in tensions around the Gulf kept overall market sentiment fragile, with investors remaining wary of further developments that could affect energy supplies and global trade. US stock futures were also slightly positive on Tuesday. Nasdaq futures rose around 0.28%, while S&P 500 futures gained approximately 0.1%, following a weaker session on Wall Street on Monday. Inflation data in focus Investors are also awaiting the latest US consumer price data, which could provide further clues about the direction of interest rates and inflationary pressures in the world’s largest economy. The increase in crude oil prices has added another element of uncertainty ahead of the inflation report. A sustained rise in fuel and energy costs could complicate efforts to bring inflation closer to central-bank targets. For Pakistani investors, the combination of geopolitical uncertainty, higher global oil prices and pressure on heavyweight shares is likely to remain a key factor influencing trading sentiment in the near term.

Pakistan has built one of the world’s fastest-growing distributed solar markets. According to recent research by Ember and Renewables First, it is estimated that Pakistan has approximately 38GW of distributed solar capacity across residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural sectors. As this installed solar base grows, the next challenge is making that energy more flexible and available when businesses need it most. Trina Storage, Trinasolar’s global battery energy storage business, says Pakistan’s expanding solar base is increasing interest in solar-plus-storage, particularly for utility-scale and microgrids for commercial & industrial (C&I). A Renewables First report estimates that Pakistan imported 4.6 GWh of BESS in 2025, representing 220% year-on-year growth. Rather than replacing existing solar assets, well-designed solar-plus-storage systems can help businesses optimize renewable energy use, improve operational flexibility and support more resilient energy management strategies, depending on each site’s design and operating requirements. However, adding BESS to an existing solar installation is not a simple plug-and-play exercise. Projects require careful assessment of the site’s electrical architecture, inverter configuration, demand profile, equipment compatibility, energy management system, safety requirements and commercial objectives. For many retrofit projects, an AC-coupled approach provides a practical solution by allowing battery storage to operate alongside an existing PV system through its own Power Conversion System (PCS), helping retain much of the original solar infrastructure. Compatibility must still be assessed at system level, including electrical interfaces, communications, controls and compliance with the applicable IEC and UL standards. Designed for utility-scale and C&I applications, Trina Storage’s Elementa Series is compatible and is designed for integration within solar-plus-storage systems using Trina or third-party equipment, with compatibility assessed according to the project architecture. Beyond supplying technology, Trinasolar can work with customers and EPC partners to assess system compatibility, determine the most suitable BESS configuration and develop an operating strategy aligned with each site’s technical and commercial requirements. Trinasolar’s energy storage expertise builds on its long-established presence in Pakistan’s solar market, where the company has supplied more than 500MW of 700W+ modules across commercial, industrial and residential applications and recently introduced the Vertex N G3 760W series. Globally, Trina Storage, established in 2015, has achieved BloombergNEF Tier 1 Energy Storage Manufacturer status for 10 consecutive quarters and is expected to surpass 30 GWh of cumulative shipments by the first half of 2026. Its latest 6.25MWh Elementa 3 platform combines advanced battery technology, intelligent thermal management and integrated safety features for large-scale energy storage applications. “Pakistan has already built a strong solar foundation. The next phase is to consider how battery storage can be integrated with those assets to make renewable electricity available across a wider range of operating conditions. That requires careful assessment of the existing equipment, the site’s load profile and the role the battery is expected to perform. Trinasolar’s PV experience and Trina Storage’s global BESS capabilities give us a useful perspective across both sides of that system,” said Edison Zhou, Head of Pakistan, Trinasolar.