The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has slashed interconnection charges proposed by the Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) up to 45 percent to facilitate new Long Distance International (LDI) and Wireless Local Loop (WLL) license
Senator Hadayatullah during Senate proceedings on Monday raised the issue of deteriorating law and order situation in the country, in the context of kidnapping of two judges in Shikarpur. "If judges being the provider of justice are not safe in this count
Internet service provider, Paknet, has launched a new service whereby by dialling a specific phone number the user gets a password and login number, getting automatically connected to internet service. The user can surf for two hours anytime of the day at
The Senate proceedings generally remain staid, bereft of surprises. But on Monday it saw two quite unfamiliar developments. First, Shaukat Aziz came to the house; his second visit since he took oath of office of prime minister. Second, the house discussed
Kashmiris on Monday gathered outside the 10 Downing Street in London to welcome the meeting between President General Pervez Musharraf and British Prime Minister, Tony Blair. Kashmiris living in the UK raised high-pitched slogans in favour of Kashmir's li
Two labourers were burnt to death while another wounded seriously when some explosive material went off at a furnace here on Monday. Reportedly, some labourers were busy in work at Al-Karim Steel Furnace when accidentally some explosive material ripped th
Activists of Labour Party Pakistan held a demonstration here on Monday to press the government to stop ongoing process of privatisation of public sector institutions. The demonstrators marched from Lahore Press Club to Laxami Chowk. Addressing the protest
The Islamic University in Uganda and the University of Sindh have signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) here on Monday to launch academic exchange programmes in disciplines of various faculties. The Vice Chancellor Sindh University Mazharul Haq Sid
Authorities on Monday wrecked the houses of a former Guantanamo Bay prisoner Abdullah Mehsud and his relatives in a remote tribal region near Afghanistan, an official said. "Five houses belonging to Abdullah Mehsud and his relatives were demolished with e
Vice Chief of Army Staff (VCOAS) General Ahsan Saleem Hayat on Monday visited exercise area in Southern Punjab and witnessed ongoing Pak-Saudi Joint Exercise Al-SAMSAAM-1. It is for the first time that Saudi land forces are jointly participating with Paki
The Alliance for Restoration of Democracy (ARD) on Monday kicked off its anti-Musharraf movement by holding its public meeting in Batkhela, district headquarters of Malakand Agency. Thousands of people attended the meeting where a by-election on NA-35 to
Britain's Chief of Defence Staff General Sir Michael Walker called on President General Pervez Musharraf here on Monday. During the meeting, matters pertaining to bilateral defence co-operation came under discussion.
President General Pervez Musharraf addressed an eminent gathering of experts at the Royal College of Defence Studies Monday afternoon. The President spoke on a host of regional and international issues and expressed his views vis-à-vis peace and security
Barclays bid rates, maximum rates for payment of interest by authorised dealers on deposits (other than those brought under FE Circular No: 45 of 1985) and on deposits (brought under FE Circular No: 45 of 1985) -- issued by the Foreign Exchange Rates Comm
French Ministry of Economics Senior Economist Dr Dinan Hocharich advised Pakistan business community to improve its garment production if it wants to increase its market share. Making a presentation on China's accession to the WTO and its consequences for
Rates applicable for conversion into rupees of Foreign Currency Deposits, Dollar Bearer Certificates, Foreign Currency Bearer Certificates, Special US Dollar bonds and profits thereon by all banks and also for providing forward cover on foreign currency d
A division bench of the Lahore High Court (LHC) has allowed bail to Rahil Rashid and Sajeel Rashid facing a reference. The petitioner's counsel contended there was no direct evidence against the applicants. He said the proceedings of the trial court had n
Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi called on Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dixit in Delhi on Monday. During the meeting Chief Minister of Delhi informed Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi about steps taken to eliminate environmental pollution and improve tran
The latest close of key indices on major world stock exchanges and the London closing values of the euro, the Japanese yen, the British pound and gold bullion (previous day's closes in brackets).
Tea associations of Pakistan and Bangladesh have inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for joint co-operation to promote tea marketing. Bangladesh Tea Association chairman M. Wahidul Haque and his Pakistani counterpart Muhammad Altaf signed the MoU. S
Ivory Coast's cocoa co-operatives have started receiving government loans to purchase beans for the 2004/05 season though exporters said on Monday that cocoa arrivals are still lagging last year's bumper crop. Many cooperatives in the world's top cocoa gr
Tea associations of Pakistan and Bangladesh have inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for joint co-operation to promote tea marketing. Bangladesh Tea Association chairman M. Wahidul Haque and his Pakistani counterpart Muhammad Altaf signed the MoU. S
Futures moved both ways on the forward cottonseed oilcake market on Monday as some buyers bought according to their requirements, dealers said. The December vaida commenced with 20 paisa loss at Rs 404.30 which proved to be day's best and, incidentally, c
The State Bank has invited tenders for the sale of treasury bills and set a target of Rs 30 billion. Market sources said that the State Bank has set the target in the wake of huge inflows expected into the market on the same settlement day. Experts said t
Steady trading was seen on cotton market on Monday as needy buyers indulged in buying to meet urgent requirements, dealers said. The official spot rate was unchanged at its weekend level at Rs 1825 without upcountry expenses. Prices in ready in Sindh rang
The State Bank has invited tenders for the sale of treasury bills and set a target of Rs 30 billion. Market sources said that the State Bank has set the target in the wake of huge inflows expected into the market on the same settlement day. Experts said t
Russia will triple an import tariff for palm oil packed in canisters and other containers of up to 200 kilos for a period of nine months, the government said on Monday. The tariff will go up to 15 percent, but no less than 0.12 euros per kilo, from five p
Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Monday said private sector has been playing very effective role in improving the economic development of the country and generating job opportunities. Talking to a delegation of Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI)
Several variations were seen on the grain market on Monday in moderate trading, dealers said. On the grams side, gram garda Punjab lost Rs 75 to Rs 2175-2110, Gram dal New inferior type fell by Rs 80 to Rs 2350 and best type followed the suit and lost Rs
About 100 containers were shut out at the Qasim International Container Terminal (QICT) at Port Qasim on Friday as they could not be loaded on the Maersk Sealand's vessel, "m.v. Orange". This was stated by Pakistan Bedwear Exporters Association (PBEA) Cha
French wheat exporters plan to target new markets in South Africa in a bid to extend beyond their usual markets in the north of the continent, the main producers' group said on Monday. The AGPB said the export promotional group France Export Cereal's woul
About 100 containers were shut out at the Qasim International Container Terminal (QICT) at Port Qasim on Friday as they could not be loaded on the Maersk Sealand's vessel, "m.v. Orange". This was stated by Pakistan Bedwear Exporters Association (PBEA) Cha
Malaysian tin ended on Monday up 0.2 percent as traders scrambled to cover short positions taken during selling activity last week, dealers said, with sentiment firmed by a return of European buyers and a rise in London prices. Spot tin on the Kuala Lumpu
The United Nations Children Fund (Unicef) on Monday expressed apprehension about Pakistan's ability to achieve Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The statement came a day after Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz's announcement that the Planning Commission woul
London Metal Exchange (LME) copper futures regained strength in Asia on Monday, supported by solid bargain-hunting as the dollar struggled against key currencies following disappointing US jobs data. Underlying sentiment for copper stayed bullish despite
President Pervez Musharraf, who is in the United Kingdom at present, will pay a two-day official visit to France from Tuesday to discuss bilateral and international issues with President Chirac, a spokesman of the Foreign Office disclosed here on Monday.
Tokyo gold futures stayed largely flat on Monday after bullion lost some of its lustre to a firmer US dollar, but traders said market sentiment remains strong. The benchmark October gold contract on the Tokyo Commodity Exchange (TOCOM) finished down one y
President Pervez Musharraf, who is in the United Kingdom at present, will pay a two-day official visit to France from Tuesday to discuss bilateral and international issues with President Chirac, a spokesman of the Foreign Office disclosed here on Monday.
A stronger US dollar took some shine off gold in Asia on Monday, although expectations that the euro will resume its rise kept bullion trading near 16-year highs. The dollar's modest recovery against the euro and yen trimmed less than $1 off gold, which j
The White House said on Monday a deal was near with key Republicans after a months-long political wrangle over legislation to overhaul the nation's intelligence agencies. President George W. Bush told reporters that efforts were under way to address the c
In centuries of Franco-British rivalry, the French have always claimed the crown of culinary superiority over their neighbours across the Channel. But now a handful of Anglo-Saxon food enthusiasts are trying to convince French gourmets that British cuisin
General Motors managers and labour officials tried again on Monday to nail down a deal on sweeping cost cuts at the carmaker's loss-making European business in time for approval at a GM board meeting on Tuesday. Despite worker representatives' comments la
Oil prices inched up from a three-month low on Monday as traders caught their breath after last week's 14 percent dive and considered a possible output reduction at Opec's upcoming meeting. Battered oil markets fell sharply last week on signs of healthier
The Stockholm stock exchange halted trade in kidney-care company Gambro on Monday amid speculation that the Swedish firm might be on the verge of selling its dialysis operations in a $3 billion deal. The Stockholm bourse said the stock would remain suspen
Tokyo rubber futures edged down on Monday as the yen's strength induced profit-taking but the market was wary of selling heavily amid a dearth of new sell factors. Major Japanese fund operators have been holding large short positions, especially in distan
The United States must act, not just talk, to reduce an excessively high euro/dollar exchange rate by cutting its budget and current account deficits, Austrian Finance Minister Karl-Heinz Grasser said on Monday. Grasser, who becomes deputy spokesman for E
SovEcon estimates Russia's winter grain area sown for the 2005 harvest at around 13.5 million hectares, some 0.7 million hectares above last year's record low of 12.8 million hectares. The increase is coupled with the very good state of winter grain plant
India Monday said it fully supported the leadership of Hamid Karzai, a day ahead of his swearing in as the first elected president of Afghanistan, a foreign ministry spokesman said. "We fully support his leadership," foreign ministry spokesman Navtej Sarn
The Philippines will hold a tender in the first or second week of January to buy up to 320,000 tonnes of rice due to damage to crops caused by four storms in two weeks, a senior government official said on Monday. The four storms battered wide swathes of
IBM has signed a 7-year, 500 million pound ($969 million) contract with British bank Lloyds TSB to supply it with Internet telephony and data services, The US-based computer giant said on Monday. "The implementation, which includes almost 70,000 Voice ove
Concerned about near record-high freight rates will probably keep East Asian grain importers on the sidelines this week, but Japanese importers could buy corn, anticipating further shipping cost rises, traders said on Monday. Taiwan demand for grain and o
Equities witnessed broad-based recovery at Islamabad Stock Exchange (ISE) where bulls dominated the proceedings amid increase in index. ISE network index showed an increase of 74.61 points as the price-based indicator moved from 11,949.02 to 12,023.63 poi
Ajinomoto Co Inc, Japan's top maker of food seasonings, said on Monday it would spend 6 billion yen ($58.8 million) to expand output of the artificial sweetener aspartame in Japan and France. Ajinomoto, which competes with US firm NutraSweet Co, said the
Equities witnessed broad-based recovery at Islamabad Stock Exchange (ISE) where bulls dominated the proceedings amid increase in index. ISE network index showed an increase of 74.61 points as the price-based indicator moved from 11,949.02 to 12,023.63 poi
Australian dairy group National Foods Ltd said on Monday its shares were worth up to 22 percent more than a hostile A$1.6 billion ($1.3 billion) take-over offer by New Zealand dairy giant Fonterra. National Foods said its shares were worth up to A$6.65 on
Powered by institutional support in fuel and energy sector and banks, share values flared up on Lahore Stock Exchange (LSE), with a substantial rise in turnover indicating improvement in buying interest form investors. The LSE-25 index surged to 2,771.76
Australian dairy group National Foods Ltd said on Monday its shares were worth up to 22 percent more than a hostile A$1.6 billion ($1.3 billion) take-over offer by New Zealand dairy giant Fonterra. National Foods said its shares were worth up to A$6.65 on
Powered by institutional support in fuel and energy sector and banks, share values flared up on Lahore Stock Exchange (LSE), with a substantial rise in turnover indicating improvement in buying interest form investors. The LSE-25 index surged to 2,771.76
Malaysian crude palm oil futures ended lower on Monday, surrendering early gains, following a bearish supply and demand outlook from the market's leading forecaster. Dealers said they expected the market to see light or average volumes until Friday's offi
The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) has determined tariff for Chashma nuclear power plant (Chasnupp) providing 300 MW power to the National Transmission and Dispatch Company. Chasnupp has been selling electricity to Wapda/NTDC at the
Brazil's coffee belt will be hot and showery this week, private meteorologist Somar forecast on Monday. On Sunday, temperatures ranged between 27 and 34 degrees Celsius (81 and 93 degrees Fahrenheit) in coffee areas and it's expected to get hotter in the
The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) has determined tariff for Chashma nuclear power plant (Chasnupp) providing 300 MW power to the National Transmission and Dispatch Company. Chasnupp has been selling electricity to Wapda/NTDC at the
Benelux grains prices weakened in the past week as bearish sentiment prevailed due to euro strength against the dollar and large European harvests this year, traders said on Monday. Falling prices brought trade to a near standstill as feed makers in the N
The Central Board of Revenue (CBR) has scanned all income tax returns with declared income of Rs 0.2 million or more, including corporate returns, for compilation of comprehensive database at the Centralised Data Entry Centre at Islamabad. CBR Member Info
Statistics Canada's year-end report should confirm higher yields for canola and barley than projected earlier this fall amid dismal weather conditions, said grain traders and analysts polled by Reuters. "With the superb November weather, a lot of grain wa
The Central Board of Revenue (CBR) has scanned all income tax returns with declared income of Rs 0.2 million or more, including corporate returns, for compilation of comprehensive database at the Centralised Data Entry Centre at Islamabad. CBR Member Info
Consumers are buying sugar hand-to-mouth for the most part, but larger purchases remain stymied by stiflingly steep freight rates, brokers said Monday. As a result, supplies of nearby sugar are gradually increasing and putting pressure on premiums for the
This refers to the news item of Daily Business Recorder of December6, 2004, under the caption 'Mismanagement of quota by EPB'. The allegations levelled in the news item are not based on facts.
Libya aims to increase wheat imports to 2.5 million tonnes per year from 1.0 million tonnes once flour milling capacity has been expanded, the General National Company for Flour Mills and Fodder said on Sunday. Libya imports one million tonnes of wheat it
This refers to the news item of Daily Business Recorder of December6, 2004, under the caption 'Mismanagement of quota by EPB'. The allegations levelled in the news item are not based on facts.
China, the world's top producer and exporter of tungsten, is cutting shipments this month as several large mines grind to a halt and suppliers await the issue of new export licences, traders and producers said on Monday. They said some exporters had used
Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan Shiv Shankar Menon informed the business community that Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh would visit Pakistan next year. Speaking at a meeting of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) he said Indian and P
Kazakh copper company, Kazakhmys, produced 393,588 tonnes of refined copper in January through November, up from 380,004 tonnes in the same period a year earlier, the company said on Monday. Kazakhmys, which produces more than 90 percent of the central As
Luminous picture portrayed by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz last week cheered the mood of share market investors and the market index reached record high of 5633 points as investors thronged to bank and oil sectors. The KSE-100 index registered an increase
Placer Dome Inc said on Monday it expects its gold and copper production to rise in 2005 even as costs are likely to be higher from currency and input cost movements. Gold production is expected to total 3.7 million ounces in 2005, up from 3.6 million oun
Luminous picture portrayed by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz last week cheered the mood of share market investors and the market index reached record high of 5633 points as investors thronged to bank and oil sectors. The KSE-100 index registered an increase
The Russian government has set the prices at which it intends to start buying grain on the domestic market, but analysts said the prices were too low to create significant intervention stocks. The government has said it may buy up to 1.55 million tonnes o
Shipping lines, operating from Pakistan, increased fuel surcharge on all the exports to Europe to 85 dollars per 20-foot container and 140 dollars for 40-foot containers from January 1, 2005. The Currency Adjustment Factor (CAF) will also be increased to
Norwegian industrial group Norsk Hydro said on Sunday it would build a $3 billion aluminium plant in the Gulf Arab state of Qatar in a joint venture with state-owned Qatar Petroleum (QP). "The project will cost roughly around $3 billion. The financing has
Shipping lines, operating from Pakistan, increased fuel surcharge on all the exports to Europe to 85 dollars per 20-foot container and 140 dollars for 40-foot containers from January 1, 2005. The Currency Adjustment Factor (CAF) will also be increased to
Container capacity at Kenya's Mombasa port is expected to increase by 180 percent by 2020, when government-planned port upgrades take effect, senior shipping officials said on Monday. Peter Thuo, director of shipping at the Ministry of Transport and Commu
Some 200 delegates from around the world are to meet in Stockholm from Tuesday for an international conference on combating honour killings, organisers said. "Drawing attention to honour-related violence is one aspect of our efforts to combat all forms of
Spot cash bids for corn and soyabeans were steady to firm in the US Midwest early Monday, reflecting a lack of country movement, merchandisers said. Many producers have completed their grain sales for the calendar year, and Friday's rally in Chicago Board
The Aga Khan, spiritual leader of Ismaili Muslims community, on Thursday cleared plans for the setting up of an international school of excellence in Andhra Pradesh, India. According to reports here, the Aga Khan Development Network would build the school
Singapore bunker prices fell on Monday, despite marginally higher 380-cst fuel oil cargoes. Suppliers pegged 380-cst bunker fuel oil levels at $162-$164 a tonne, down $4 from Friday. Prices for the 180-cst grades were also lower at $172-$174. "Although ca
PC-I of the envisaged revamping and expansion of Pakistan Steel will be approved during the current month and open tendering in the international market might be made by mid of January 2005. Federal Minister for Industries, Production, Jehangir Khan Taree