If you are placing your first order, the first thing to know is when the market is actually open. This guide covers PSX timings for the ready market from Monday to Friday, the pre-open and post-close sessions, the stock exchange holidays left in 2026, and how settlement works now that Pakistan has moved to T+1. All times are Pakistan Standard Time and were checked against the official Pakistan Stock Exchange pages on 2 November 2026.
PSX timings for the regular market, Monday to Thursday
According to the PSX trading hours page, a normal trading day from Monday to Thursday runs as follows:
| Session | Monday to Thursday | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-open | 9:15 AM to 9:30 AM | Orders can be entered, but nothing trades yet |
| Break (order matching) | 9:30 AM to 9:32 AM | The exchange matches pre-open orders to set opening prices |
| Regular market open | 9:32 AM to 3:30 PM | Continuous trading |
| Close | 3:30 PM | Regular market closes |
| Post-close session | 3:35 PM to 3:50 PM | Short session after the close |
| Negotiated deals market | 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM | Large pre-agreed trades, mostly used by institutions |
One rule catches many new investors out: the PSX page states that orders entered during the pre-open session cannot be cancelled, modified or suspended until the end of the break period. If you are not sure about a price, it is safer to wait until the market opens at 9:32 AM.
Friday trading hours
Friday is split into two sessions around Jumu’ah prayers. The PSX page lists:
| Session | Friday |
|---|---|
| Session 1 pre-open | 9:00 AM to 9:15 AM |
| Session 1 break | 9:15 AM to 9:17 AM |
| Session 1 open | 9:17 AM to 12:00 PM |
| Session 2 pre-open | 2:15 PM to 2:30 PM |
| Session 2 break | 2:30 PM to 2:32 PM |
| Session 2 open | 2:32 PM to 4:30 PM |
| Close | 4:30 PM |
| Post-close session | 4:35 PM to 4:50 PM |
So on Fridays there is no continuous trading between 12:00 PM and the second session, which starts with a pre-open at 2:15 PM. Friday also finishes later than the rest of the week.
What about Ramadan timings?
The PSX trading hours page does not list separate Ramadan hours for the equity market. If timings change for Ramadan, check the notices section of the PSX website or ask your broker when the month begins, rather than relying on last year’s schedule.
PSX holidays in 2026
The PSX holiday calendar lists the following market holidays for 2026. Holidays linked to the Islamic calendar depend on moon sighting, and PSX says it may change the dates, so the final dates are confirmed by notice.
| Holiday | Date in 2026 |
|---|---|
| Kashmir Day | Thursday 5 February |
| Juma-tul-Wida (moon sighting) | Friday 20 March |
| Eid-ul-Fitr (moon sighting) | Saturday 21 March to Monday 23 March |
| Pakistan Day | Monday 23 March |
| Labour Day | Friday 1 May |
| Eid-ul-Azha (moon sighting) | Tuesday 26 May to Thursday 28 May |
| Youm-e-Takbeer | Thursday 28 May |
| Ashura (moon sighting) | Thursday 25 June to Friday 26 June |
| Independence Day | Friday 14 August |
| Eid Milad-un-Nabi (moon sighting) | Tuesday 25 August |
| Allama Iqbal Day | Monday 9 November |
| Quaid-e-Azam Day and Christmas | Friday 25 December |
As of 2 November 2026, two market holidays remain this year: Monday 9 November (Allama Iqbal Day) and Friday 25 December (Quaid-e-Azam Day and Christmas). Saturdays and Sundays are always closed.
Settlement: PSX is now T+1
Settlement is the step where the shares arrive in the buyer’s CDC account and the money reaches the seller. A joint circular from NCCPL, issued with PSX and CDC (NCCPL/CM/FEBRUARY-26/06, 6 February 2026) moved the ready market from T+2 to T+1 from Monday 9 February 2026. In its words, all trades executed on or after that date “shall be settled on T+1 basis i.e. next trading day”.
In practice:
- Buy on Monday, and the trade settles on Tuesday.
- Buy on a Friday, and it settles on the next trading day, normally Monday.
- When a holiday falls in between, settlement moves to the next trading day. For example, a trade on Friday 6 November 2026 would settle on Tuesday 10 November, because Monday 9 November is a holiday.
T+1 matters for dividends and bonus shares too. To be on the register for an entitlement you need the trade to settle before the book closure starts, so the last day to buy is earlier than the book closure date. Your broker’s back office can tell you the exact cut-off for each company.
Odd lots, lot sizes and other markets
The PSX equity products page describes the regular lot as 500 shares and the odd lot market as a place to trade fewer shares, down to a single share. The trading hours page currently lists the odd lots market for ETFs only, between 9:30 AM and 3:30 PM from Monday to Thursday and in two windows on Friday. How your broker handles small orders can vary, so ask before you place an order for a few shares. For a beginner’s walk-through of the whole process, see our guide on how to invest in the Pakistan Stock Exchange.
Tips for timing your orders
- Avoid the first and last few minutes if you are new. Prices can swing more around the open and close.
- Use limit orders. A limit order sets the highest price you will pay or the lowest you will accept.
- Remember Friday’s split session. There is no trading between 12:00 PM and the 2:15 PM pre-open, so plan Friday orders around that gap.
- Plan around holidays. Money from a sale arrives one trading day later, so a holiday can delay it.
To follow the market through the day, the Market Pulse Hub dashboard shows the KSE-100 and individual stock pages, and our daily market wrap summarises each session. If you have not opened an account yet, start with our guide to opening a CDC account and choosing a broker.
Frequently asked questions
What time does PSX open?
From Monday to Thursday the pre-open session starts at 9:15 AM and continuous trading starts at 9:32 AM. On Friday the pre-open starts at 9:00 AM and trading starts at 9:17 AM. All times are Pakistan Standard Time.
What time does PSX close?
The regular market closes at 3:30 PM from Monday to Thursday and at 4:30 PM on Friday, followed by a short post-close session (3:35 PM to 3:50 PM, or 4:35 PM to 4:50 PM on Friday).
Is PSX open on Saturday and Sunday?
No. The Pakistan Stock Exchange trades Monday to Friday only, and is also closed on the public holidays listed in its holiday calendar.
Is PSX open on 9 November 2026?
No. Monday 9 November 2026 is listed as a PSX holiday for Allama Iqbal Day. The next holiday after that is Friday 25 December 2026.
Is PSX settlement T+1 or T+2?
T+1. According to the NCCPL circular issued with PSX and CDC, all ready market trades executed on or after 9 February 2026 settle on the next trading day.
Can I cancel an order placed in the pre-open session?
Not straight away. PSX states that orders entered during the pre-open session cannot be cancelled, modified or suspended until the end of the break period, which ends at 9:32 AM from Monday to Thursday.
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Bilal, Market Pulse Hub
Figures are from company results, exchange data and our calculations up to 2 November 2026 and will change as new data arrives. This article is for education only and is not investment advice.