New Delhi, March 2 -- The Pakistan stock market's key gauge, KSE-30 Index, plunged as much as 9.6% at the open on Monday, March 2, sparking a 45-minute trading halt as the tensions in the Middle East spiked following the US and Israel's strikes on Iran.

Moreover, tensions with Afghanistan have also escalated, further pressuring the country's stock market.

The KSE-30 index lost almost 5000 points or 9.6% to hit the day's low of 46,351.64 in intraday deals today. According to a Reuters report, this is the worst fall on record for Pakistan's stock market.

The KSE-30 index was last trading 9.25% lower as trading resumed. Despite today's losses, the Pakistan stock market remained 32% higher for the year.

The decline coincided with steep lo...