Stocks extended gains on Thursday as renewed hopes of Middle East de-escalation lifted investor sentiment, even as crude prices edged higher after a sharp fall in the previous session.

During the session, the Pakistan Stock Exchange’s (PSX) benchmark KSE-100 Index climbed to an intraday high of 167,924.09, gaining 3,092.67 points, or 1.88%, and retreated to a low of 166,638.56, reflecting a gain of 1,807.14 points, or 1.10%, from the previous close of 164,831.42.

“A flurry of diplomatic moves to end the war created downward pressure in the oil markets, and oil traded about 6% down,” said Ahfaz Mustafa, CEO of Ismail Iqbal Securities.

“This is signalling an end to hostilities and the reopening of the strait and eventually normalisation, which buoyed investors’ sentiment,” he added.

Asian markets also advanced on Thursday, supported by hopes of a Middle East peace deal after Iran said it was examining a new US proposal to end the war.

Japan’s Nikkei jumped more than 3.5%, while South Korea’s benchmark Kospi index surged 6.8% in morning trade, with Samsung Electronics trading 5.9% higher. Taipei rose 3.6%, Sydney gained 1.6% and Singapore was up 0.4%.

Hong Kong, Shanghai, Bangkok and Wellington also moved higher, though Jakarta lost 1.5%.

US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that talks were on the “borderline” between a deal and renewed attacks, adding to cautious optimism across financial markets.

Oil had fallen more than 5% on Wednesday as peace hopes gained traction, but crude prices edged higher on Thursday. West Texas Intermediate was up 0.5% at $98.75 a barrel, while Brent North Sea crude rose 0.4% to $105.43 a barrel.

On the domestic front, the government raised Rs688 billion in realised value from the auction of market treasury bills on Wednesday, with yields increasing across all tenors.

The one-month T-bill cut-off yield rose 86 basis points to 12.23%, while the three-month yield increased 41 basis points to 12.4904%. The six-month yield rose 15 basis points to 12.4999%, and the 12-month yield increased nine basis points to 12.59%.

The government raised Rs702 billion in face value from the auction against a target of Rs450 billion and maturity of Rs479 billion, while participation stood at Rs1.73 trillion.

In the previous session on Wednesday, the KSE-100 Index surged 1,934.74 points, or 1.19%, to close at 164,831.42 against the previous session’s close of 162,896.68.

The index touched an intraday high of 165,081.7 and a low of 162,895.74, while the KSE-30 Index gained 669.37 points, or 1.37%, to finish at 49,356.83.

King Charles and Queen Camilla will be wrapping their three-day visit to Northern Ireland after a “distressing” mishap.

The monarch, who is currently undergoing cancer treatment, appeared in high spirits and active as he enjoyed a “sunny afternoon in Hillsborough”.

Buckingham Palace shared a special, albeit reassuring update, noting that Charles was healthy and continuing with his duties as per schedule despite the blunder by a UK radio station.

“The King and Queen attended a Garden Party at Hillsborough Castle with brilliant people from across Northern Ireland’s voluntary and charitable sectors,” the message read.

“Guests were invited in recognition of the have positive impact they have made within their communities.”

The King and Queen did not seem bothered by the brief panic that was caused in the public. Camilla seemed bright and cheerful in her Fiona Clare’s sapphire blue silk crepe dress and wool crepe coat by Philip Tracy hat.

Meanwhile, the monarch, dressed in a grey suit, was very much in his element, as he picked up a shovel to plant a tree. Charles, who is an avid gardener and an advocate of the natural environment, was not afraid to get his hands dirty.

He was also seen laughing and joking with military personnel in attendance. He even laughed off having a bird poo on him during the event, quipping that “at least it didn’t land on my head”.

Hence, it would appear business was usual even though a blunder from a UK radio station that accidently ran death of King Charles III protocol. They later issued an apology citing a “computer error”.

Zoë Kravitz and Harry Styles are reportedly planning to get married around Christmastime this year, with insiders revealing the couple are eyeing a small winter wedding in the UK. 

The private pair, who have spent a significant amount of time together in London throughout their romance, are hoping to tie the knot in front of just family and close friends. 

However, the British nuptials might only be one half of the celebrations, as sources close to the family suggest the couple are actually considering holding two separate weddings to accommodate their lives on both sides of the Atlantic.

The dual-wedding plan stems from the Hollywood actress’s deep ties to New York City and her famous rock star father, Lenny Kravitz. 

Because her dad still lives in downtown Manhattan, sources close to the family know for a fact that Zoë will want to do something in New York, hinting that the luxury Fouquet’s Hotel could serve as the American venue. 

This wouldn’t be the first time she has used a family property for a milestone event; her 2019 wedding to her first husband, Karl Glusman, took place at her father’s home in Paris before the couple finalised their divorce in 2021. 

Following that, Kravitz was engaged to Channing Tatum in 2023, though they split the following year.

By contrast, this will be the first marriage for the former One Direction heartthrob, who has previously been linked to high-profile stars like Taylor Swift, Kendall Jenner, Olivia Wilde, Emily Ratajkowski, and Olivia Dean. 

The Grammy-winning singer has been completely smitten since first being linked to Kravitz in August 2025 during an outing in Rome, where Styles had been living during a two-year career break after his Love On Tour wrapped up. 

Their romance moved quickly, with the High Fidelity star even spending last Christmas with him in his English hometown of Cheshire before Page Six revealed their engagement in April.

The upcoming festive wedding caps off an incredibly busy year for the power couple. 

The Blink Twice director was spotted flaunting her engagement ring just this week at the opening night of Styles’ highly anticipated Together Together Tour in Amsterdam. 

With the singer set to embark on a massive 30-night residency at Madison Square Garden in New York City later this year, a winter wedding back across the pond will provide the perfect opportunity for the couple to celebrate their whirlwind romance away from the global spotlight.