Pakistan Stock Exchange reached 171,500 in December, marking a 300% gain over the past two years and establishing itself as a top-performing market.

In other developments, bidding for the privatisation of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has been completed, with three consortia participating.

The Prime Minister described it as the country’s largest privatisation.

The Digital Pakistan Program is moving forward, with spectrum action approved and plans to introduce 5G soon, officials confirmed.

On politics, the Prime Minister said negotiations with PTI are possible on legitimate matters only, emphasising that there will be no blackmail.

Shahbaz Sharif stressed the need for political harmony to ensure national prosperity and stated that the King Abdulaziz Award belongs to the entire nation, not just the Field Marshal.

President Asif Ali Zardari visited holy sites in Najaf and Kufa, offered prayers at Imam Ali’s shrine, performed nafl prayers at the Kufa Mosque, and met local officials.

The Chief Minister expressed displeasure over the suspension of the Protection of Ownership, while Maryam Nawaz criticised the step, saying it goes against Supreme Court principles and could benefit the land mafia.

Earlier, a 90-day limit was set to resolve land cases, but some cases extend for decades.

In sports, Aisam-ul-Haq remains President of the Pakistan Tennis Federation, with the adjudicator ruling that the appeal against elections is inadmissible.

In football, Mohamed Salah scored a decisive late goal as Egypt defeated Zimbabwe 2-1 in the Africa Cup of Nations. In the English Premier League, Fulham beat Nottingham Forest 1-0.