Shares at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) traded in the green on Wednesday as stocks gained nearly 500 points, with analysts attributing the rally to “robust results” of companies and “clarity” on government formation. The KSE-100 index gained 507.79, or 0.8 per cent, to stand at 63,726.88 at 11:46am from the previous close of 63,219.09. It closed at 63,703.44, up …

South Korea’s birth rate fell to a record low last year, the government said on Wednesday, despite having poured billions of dollars into efforts to encourage women to have more children and maintain population stability. The country has one of the world’s longest life expectancies and lowest birth rates, a combination that presents a looming demographic challenge. Neighbouring Japan is grappling with …

ISLAMABAD: While backing the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s demand for allocation of reserved seats to the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) after the PTI-backed independent candidates joined it, a PML-N senator on Tuesday questioned the credibility of elections and said the Chief Election Commissioner should have resigned for his failure to hold transparent polls. “The credibility of the elections is known to all. …

GWADAR/QUETTA: Heavy rains wreaked havoc in Gwadar, Kech district and other parts of Balochistan, suspending normal life and traffic on the Coastal Highway and cutting off Gwadar and Ormara from Karachi and other parts of the province. The Gwadar district administration has declared a state of emergency in rain-hit areas and para-military forces have been called in to help the …

ISLAMABAD: President Arif Alvi continues to draw the ire of political parties over his refusal to summon the National Assembly session as PML-N and PPP leaders warned these actions could lead to “legal consequences”. On Tuesday, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) also rejected the objections raised by President Arif Alvi on the summary to summon the National Assembly session, a source in …

QUETTA: The first session of the new Balochistan Assembly will be held on Wednesday at 3pm for the oath-taking of newly-elected members and the district administration has made special security arrangements in and around the assembly building for the purpose. Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) President Sardar Akhtar Mengal, who was elected on the national and provincial assembly seats, has left …

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) will announce the schedule for presidential election on March 1. According to a proposed programme, candidates will be able to submit their nomination papers to presiding officer by 12noon on March 2. In a statement, the ECP said all aspiring candidates can get their nomination papers from the Elec­tion Commission Secretariat in Islamabad …

ISLAMABAD: The PTI has decided to take to the streets, again, to protest against the alleged theft of its mandate, urging all democratic forces to join hands with the former ruling party to “strengthen democracy” in the country. This was announced by PTI leader and MNA-elect Sher Afzal Marwat during a press conference in Islamabad, alongside other senior party leaders, …

One student was killed and two others were injured after being hit by a speeding car in Khanewal district’s Mian Channu on Wednesday, according to officials. A statement by Rescue 1122 said that the incident took place in front of the Government Girls Model High School, adding that the car hit the students as they were on their way to …

After being summoned for a third time, caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar on Wednesday finally appeared before the Islamabad High Court (IHC) in a case pertaining to missing Baloch students. During the hearing, which was presided over by Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, Kakar said it was time that “allegations levelled against the state every other day stop”. Justice Kayani …