Pakistan, Oct. 16 -- The Pakistan Stock Exchange's benchmark KSE-100 index gained 346.70 points on Friday, reaching 166,532.86 before trading paused for Friday prayers. The increase represented a 0.21% rise from the previous close. Selective buying supported the market's modest advance during the session.

The index opened near its previous closing level of 166,186.16. It moved between 165,956.51 and 166,663 during early trading. The market recorded a total volume of 45.71 million shares before the suspension.

Trading activity reached approximately Rs3.53 billion in value before the midday break. Market participants linked the gains to selective purchases of shares in several large companies. However, overall trading remained measured as...