Entertainment
KSE-100 crosses 158,000 mark, sets new all-time high
- KSE-100 Index closed at 157,953.46 points, up 1,775.65 points, or 1.14%.
- Index touched intraday high of 158,082.55, up 1,904.74 points, or 1.22%.
- Session’s low recorded at 156,978.85, still up 801.04 points, or 0.51%.
The equity market advanced sharply on Thursday, closing at a fresh record as investor sentiment was buoyed by a landmark Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement signed between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
The Pakistan Stock Exchange’s (PSX) benchmark KSE-100 Index settled at 157,953.46 points, up 1,775.65 points, or 1.14%, from the previous close of 156,177.81.
During the session, the index climbed to an intraday high of 158,082.55 points, gaining 1,904.74 points, or 1.22%. The session low was recorded at 156,978.85 points, still higher by 801.04 points, or 0.51%.
“The news about the defence partnership has brought excitement across the board. This is a major macro rerating game changer that can pour more liquidity and reduce risk premium,” AAH Soomro, an independent investment and economic analyst.
“The index may head upwards without corrections,” he added.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on Wednesday formalised a landmark Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement, pledging to treat any aggression against one country as aggression against both.
The pact was signed during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s state visit to Riyadh, where he was received by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman at Al-Yamamah Palace.
The pact reflects a joint commitment to enhance bilateral security ties and contribute to regional and global peace, the statement said. It aims to develop defence cooperation further and strengthen joint deterrence against any aggression. Crucially, the agreement stipulates that any aggression against one country shall be considered aggression against both.
The government also raised Rs195 billion from the auction of market Treasury bills (T-bills) on Wednesday, surpassing its Rs175 billion target. However, it rejected bids for the 10-year floating-rate Pakistan Investment Bond (PIB) as investors demanded higher returns.
The T-bill auction drew participation worth Rs1.07 trillion, with yields ending nearly flat. The cut-off yield on a one-month paper eased by 1 basis point (bp) to 10.7445%. The three-month bill yield stood unchanged at 10.8502%, while the six-month paper edged down 1bp to 10.8376%. The 12-month yield also stayed steady at 10.9999%.
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Monday held its policy rate steady at 11% for the third consecutive meeting, citing inflation concerns amid devastating floods. Since June 2024, the central bank has slashed rates by a total of 1,100bps, but kept them unchanged in June, July, and now September.
By comparison, in the previous session on Wednesday, the KSE-100 Index closed almost flat, down 3.12 points to 156,177.82 from 156,180.94. The day’s high was 157,196.59 points, while the low stood at 155,960.36 points.
Entertainment
Backstreet Boys AJ McLean shows support to Britney Spears after DUI arrest
AJ McLean is a friend Britney Spears can lean on during her tough time amid ongoing legal woes after her DUI arrest.
The Backstreet Boys member, 48, spoke in support of Spears during the iHeartRadio Music Awards 2026, as he revealed that they are also neighbours.
“We see each other every so often,” McLean said, adding, “live in the same neighborhood in the same area.”
The singer, who was nominated for the favourite onscreen category at the awards, noted that he “always just give[s] her a hug and check[s] on her” whenever he runs into the pop icon, in conversation with Page Six.
The Everybody hitmaker also added that he wishes “her the best,” without mentioning the arrest. When asked if he has spoken to her recently, he told the outlet that he hasn’t.
This comes after Spears was arrested in Ventura County, California earlier this month after she as caught swerving and speeding allegedly under the influence.
She was later released in the morning and her manager Cade Hudson released an official statement saying her actions were “inexcusable.”
While the Toxic songstress has not addressed the situation herself, an insider spilled that she is devastated and scared beyond measure for what the consequences would be.
Entertainment
Britney Spears turns a new page after recent legal trauma
Britney Spears is right now trying really hard to get her life back on track after her recent shocking DUI arrest earlier this month.
The singer, 44, stayed away from alcohol for more than three weeks and is now regularly attending AA meetings in Los Angeles.
According to a source, Britney has been very open during these sessions, “Britney has been very open and honest in her AA meetings, she has said she loves pouring her heart out as she knows that is the best way to heal and feel better,” the insider shared.
They also added that she is being careful and focused on things which matters, saying: “The only thing she has indulged in is fancy coffee drinks. She is being super careful because she wants to be there for her kids.”
Britney is said to be spending time with her two sons more now, Sean Preston and Jayden James, who have been close to her in recent weeks.
Their presence, however, meant a lot to the music icon as she works through this phase.
The Toxic singer’s arrest happened on March 3 and she is expected to appear in court on May 4.
Britney’s team already said that she wants to take the right steps and move forward in a better way.
Entertainment
How Khloé Kardashian, Lamar Odom marriage affected his ex Liza Morales
Liza Morales, Lamar Odom’s high school sweetheart, finally spoke out about the moment she found out that her ex got married to the reality star Khloé Kardashian.
“It was shocking. I couldn’t escape it,” Morales told PEOPLE.
She opened up just days before Netflix releases Untold: The Death & Life of Lamar Odom, a documentary about the basketball star’s life, fame, struggles and relationships.
A big part of the film looks back on his early romance with Morales.
The couple met in high school and Odom proposed to her when they were just 20 and they delayed marriage but went on to have three children together.
But tragedy happened in 2006 when their six-month-old son Jayden died from sudden terrifying syndrome.
The loss, however, left a heavy effect on their relationship and slowly, they went their separate ways.
The fashion designer went on to add that she was blindsided when Odom’s relationship with Khloé Kardashian became public in 2009.
“It was a text message and then a phone call from Lamar, ‘By the way, I’m getting married,’” she recalled.
“Then it was everywhere. It wasn’t just that he got married—it was how it happened. It was rushed, and it hurt.”
Still, Morales shared that she and Odom have reached to a better place now. “It took years. I had to work on myself and heal.”
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