The government has constituted a three-member committee, headed by Finance Minister Naveed Qamar, to conduct probe into the compressed natural gas (CNG) price fraud. Members of the committee are Secretary Finance and Secretary Petroleum and Natural Resour
Pakistan annual trade deficit for 2007-08 closed at $20.745 billion, which is 52.92 percent more over $13.563 billion for 2006-07 because of food import bill and steep increase in prices of crude oil in the global market. Official figures released by the
Pakistan annual trade deficit for 2007-08 closed at $20.745 billion, which is 52.92 percent more over $13.563 billion for 2006-07 because of food import bill and steep increase in prices of crude oil in the global market. Official figures released by the
Pakistan annual trade deficit for 2007-08 closed at $20.745 billion, which is 52.92 percent more over $13.563 billion for 2006-07 because of food import bill and steep increase in prices of crude oil in the global market. Official figures released by the
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has decided to suspend implementation of section 177 of Income Tax Ordinance 2001 to restrain field formations from selecting cases for audit, ensuring effective taxpayer''s audit under the new national audit plan and ma
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has decided to suspend implementation of section 177 of Income Tax Ordinance 2001 to restrain field formations from selecting cases for audit, ensuring effective taxpayer's audit under the new national audit plan and man
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has decided to suspend implementation of section 177 of Income Tax Ordinance 2001 to restrain field formations from selecting cases for audit, ensuring effective taxpayer's audit under the new national audit plan and man
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
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
Iran on Wednesday test-fired a missile it said is capable of reaching Israel, angering the United States amid growing fears that the stand-off over the contested Iranian nuclear drive could lead to war. The Shahab-3 was among a broadside of nine missiles
Iran on Wednesday test-fired a missile it said is capable of reaching Israel, angering the United States amid growing fears that the stand-off over the contested Iranian nuclear drive could lead to war. The Shahab-3 was among a broadside of nine missiles
Leaders of the world''s eight top industrial powers wrapped up a summit Wednesday with pledges to act on soaring oil and food prices, but failed to bridge deep differences with poor nations on how to fight climate change.
India has scrapped import duty on raw cotton and withdrawn export incentives to boost domestic stocks, the government said on Wednesday, raising the prospect of higher imports and lower prices. Trade officials said local prices, which have surged more tha
Leaders of the world's eight top industrial powers wrapped up a summit Wednesday with pledges to act on soaring oil and food prices, but failed to bridge deep differences with poor nations on how to fight climate change.
US copper futures closed at their lowest level since mid-June on Tuesday as the red metal's pull-back from last week's hurdle of $4 a lb intensified once key chart points were broken, dealers said. Copper for September delivery ended down 15.25 cents or n
Leaders of the world's eight top industrial powers wrapped up a summit Wednesday with pledges to act on soaring oil and food prices, but failed to bridge deep differences with poor nations on how to fight climate change.
US rough rice futures on the Chicago Board of Trade ended mostly higher Tuesday on a technical bounce after Monday's limit-down close, traders said. The deferred months recovered late on slipover buying from corn, which closed down but off its lows. Howev
The World Bank has refused to finance the government plan to distribute free energy savers among the consumers of Pakistan Electric Power Company (Pepco), well-placed sources told Business Recorder. The project was approved by caretaker Prime Minis
Tokyo rubber futures closed down 0.5 percent on Wednesday, trimming losses following a slide to a one-month low after crude oil prices rallied on reports that Iran had test-fired missiles. The key Tokyo Commodity Exchange rubber contract for December deli
The World Bank has refused to finance the government plan to distribute free energy savers among the consumers of Pakistan Electric Power Company (Pepco), well-placed sources told Business Recorder. The project was approved by caretaker Prime Minis
Raw sugar futures relied on late investment short-covering to finish higher Tuesday and the market is seen consolidating after its sharp sell-off in the prior session, brokers said. The benchmark October raw sugar contract gained 0.23 cent to end at 13.75
The World Bank has refused to finance the government plan to distribute free energy savers among the consumers of Pakistan Electric Power Company (Pepco), well-placed sources told Business Recorder. The project was approved by caretaker Prime Minis
Soybean futures on the Chicago Board of Trade fell on Tuesday on continued pressure from favourable crop weather for the US Midwest, traders said. But the market recovered from its early lows as it became oversold after Monday's limit down move and more s
Engr Javed Saleem Qureshi has said that pesticide industry is currently passing through crisis and the higher authorities should take measures to end manufacturing of fake products in the country. While addressing the 'Importers and Distributors Conferenc
Malaysian crude palm oil futures rose 1.8 percent on Wednesday, snapping a four-day losing streak as resurgent crude oil prices brightened global vegetable oil markets. But gains were tempered by fears of a supply build-up and expectations of slow demand
Leading bankers have expressed their serious concern over the rising tax burden on the banking sector. Federal Finance Minister Naveed Qamar held an interactive session with presidents and chief executives of different commercial banks and office bearers
Gold regained ground on Wednesday as speculators resurfaced on news that Iran had test- fired nine long- and medium-range missiles, lifting the metal's safe-haven appeal in times of uncertainty.
Leading bankers have expressed their serious concern over the rising tax burden on the banking sector. Federal Finance Minister Naveed Qamar held an interactive session with presidents and chief executives of different commercial banks and office bearers
Oil rose a dollar on Wednesday, recovering from a more than $5 fall a day ago, after Iranian state media reported that the country had test-fired missiles that could reach Israel and US bases in the region. US light crude for August delivery earlier rose
Leading bankers have expressed their serious concern over the rising tax burden on the banking sector. Federal Finance Minister Naveed Qamar held an interactive session with presidents and chief executives of different commercial banks and office bearers
The Karachi Port handled 83,879 tonnes of cargo including 41,782 tonnes of import, 42,097 tonnes of export cargo and 3,783 loaded and empty containers (TEUs) during last 24 hours ended at 0700 hours on Wednesday.
US corn futures on the Chicago Board of Trade fell on Tuesday amid better crop weather in the US Midwest, improved US crop conditions and falling crude oil, traders said. But the market recovered some, closing off its early lows. The market was technicall
Global sunflower oil prices are currently adjusting from the high level seen in the last year to a long period of weakness, Hamburg-based oilseeds analysts Oil World said on Tuesday. "The sunoil market is in transition," it said. "It is indeed a challenge
Indonesia crude palm oil prices rebounded on Wednesday, lifted by gains in the Malaysian market and firm demand, dealers said. In Jakarta, the state marketing centre sold crude palm oil at 8,903 rupiah ($0.971) a kg, up from 8,861 rupiah a kg on Tuesday.
Kenyan tea prices were mixed at this week's auction, with some firming due to improved quality, traders said on Wednesday. Mombasa-based Africa Tea Brokers (ATB) said 93,241 packages were offered for sale, with 10,840 unsold. At last week's sale 100,830 p
The average price of Bangladesh teas fell 4.5 percent to 133.64 taka ($1.95) per kg on lower overseas demand at the weekly auction on Tuesday, brokers said. More than 1.5 million kg were sold at 133.64 taka per kg on average, down 6.24 taka from the last
Spot basis bids for soyabeans fell at river locations around the US Midwest on Tuesday while corn bids rose along waterways, grain dealers said. Cash bids for both commodities were mostly steady at interior processors and elevators. Farmer selling was mos
Sales of refined tin from Indonesia's PT Timah, the world's largest integrated tin miner, fell 21 percent in the first six months of 2008 from a year ago on tight raw material supplies, the company said on Wednesday. The company sold about 24,000 tonnes o
US wheat futures closed narrowly mixed on Tuesday, supported by technical buying and short-covering while corn, soybeans and most other commodities posted sharp declines, traders said.
Firmness prevailed on the cotton market on Wednesday as in most parts of Punjab rains started again and may help to stabilise rates in the coming days, dealers said. The Karachi Cotton Association (KCA) official spot rate was unchanged at Rs 3650, dealers
Firmness prevailed on the grain market on Wednesday as most of the items hold the overnight levels in process of trading, dealers said. On the cereal side, Barley Sindh and Mardan quoted higher at Rs 2300-2350, other commodities did not move any side in p
South African mobile phone operator MTN Group and India's Reliance Communications have extended exclusive talks on a potential combination to create a top-10 global telecom group.
A former top Airbus executive and current head of a German EADS subsidiary, Andreas Sperl, was detained for questioning in France on Wednesday over alleged insider trading at EADS, sources close to the case said.
Japan's core machinery orders rose 10 times faster than forecast in May as companies led by steel and semiconductor makers planned more spending on equipment instead of cutting back to cope with rising raw material costs.
It is hard to know how far the global financial crisis still has to run, with the extent of further credit losses hinging on what happens to the US housing sector, IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn said on Wednesday. "What is sure is that the consequences
European Central Bank policymakers said they were still worried about inflation despite last week's interest rate rise, and insisted they were committed to keeping prices under control. Mario Draghi, who heads the Bank of Italy, said the ECB's first inter
Gulf Arab banks topped forecasts for second-quarter profit growth on Wednesday as a regional economic boom fuelled by high oil prices and low interest rates drove demand for credit. Governments and private investors are pouring billions of dollars into in
Gulf Arab banks topped forecasts for second-quarter profit growth on Wednesday as a regional economic boom fuelled by high oil prices and low interest rates drove demand for credit. Governments and private investors are pouring billions of dollars into in
Iran's Opec governor said on Wednesday the oil market was saturated and blamed policies of the Group of Eight (G8) rich countries for a price surge, the state broadcaster reported on its website. Oil prices hit a record highs last week above $145 a barrel
The momentum for a global trade deal is building with the presidents of Brazil and France both expressing greater urgency than before, world leaders said on Wednesday at a summit in Japan.
First-quarter revenues at the London Stock Exchange Group rose 8 percent thanks to buoyant information and settlement services, the group said on Wednesday, sending its shares up nearly 9 percent. But revenue from issuance and trading remained roughly fla
Kazakhstan joined construction of a pan-Central Asia pipeline on Wednesday, a major project to link up Caspian Sea gas reserves with energy-hungry China. The pipeline is the first significant independent gas link connecting the former Soviet region with e
The estranged sister of Macau billionaire Stanley Ho on Wednesday lost her last-minute legal bid to block the public listing of his casino firm, court documents showed. Winnie Ho had applied for a full review of decisions by the Hong Kong Stock Exchange a
A key measure of Australian consumer confidence fell to 16-year lows in July as record petrol prices and a sliding share market hurt family finances, in just the latest sign of spreading economic weakness. Other government data out on Wednesday showed dem
China's consumer confidence index fell to 94.1 points in the second quarter, down 0.7 points from the first quarter, amid concerns about inflation and a slowing economy, the National Bureau of Statistics said on Wednesday. It was the third consecutive qua
France's Renault joined the ranks of European automakers bracing for a slower-than-expected 2008 on Wednesday as it warned its sales growth goal of 10 percent could be cut in half. The launches of its Laguna executive model and Koleos sports utility vehic
The European construction sector is headed for a sharp slowdown likely to last until 2010, a leading German think-tank said Tuesday. "After a clear growth in construction activity in the past two years, a perceptible weakening will likely mark the Europea
The Russian government is in talks with UBS and other Swiss banks on the management of its two oil wealth funds which total $163 billion, Deputy Finance Minister Dmitry Pankin said on Tuesday.
The Russian government is in talks with UBS and other Swiss banks on the management of its two oil wealth funds which total $163 billion, Deputy Finance Minister Dmitry Pankin said on Tuesday.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy made clear on Wednesday that he wants a breakthrough in world trade talks and appealed to Brazil to help strike a deal, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said.
French and German exports fell markedly in May as the eurozone's two biggest economies felt the full force of the global slowdown and faced the prospect of stagnation. Germany's trade surplus narrowed more than expected in May, falling to its lowest level
Two of Britain's biggest builders Bovis Homes and Redrow are cutting 40 percent of their workforces, about 750 jobs in total, to cope with the deepening depression in the housing market. The downturn has gathered pace in the past few weeks and now feels "
Carl Icahn would have more support in his proxy battle against Yahoo Inc if he pledged not to sell the company for less than $33 a share, Legg Mason portfolio manager Bill Miller said on Tuesday. Miller's Legg Mason Capital Management is the third-largest
China's annual consumer price inflation eased to 7.1 percent in June from 7.7 percent in May, two government sources familiar with the data said on Tuesday. A 7.1 percent reading would be a relief to policy makers, who have identified inflation as their b
European Union lawmakers agreed on Tuesday on compulsory labelling for foods containing certain synthetic dyes, along with a consumer warning that they may cause hyperactivity in children.
Japanese firms announced Wednesday they will meet Indonesia's electricity monopoly over a power crisis in the Southeast Asian nation they say has lost foreign investors millions of dollars. The Jakarta Japan Club will meet state electricity company PLN on
Poland's historic shipyards faced an increased risk of bankruptcy on Wednesday after emergency talks between the European Union and Warsaw failed to resolve doubts over massive state aid they had received.
South Korea's LG Display Co Ltd's quarterly net profit more than trebled thanks to strong demand for flat screens, but future earnings will take a hit as the global economic downturn curbs consumer spending. "As high oil prices and the global economic slo
South Korea's LG Display Co Ltd's quarterly net profit more than trebled thanks to strong demand for flat screens, but future earnings will take a hit as the global economic downturn curbs consumer spending. "As high oil prices and the global economic slo
EU finance ministers dropped disciplinary action against Poland over its public finances Tuesday, finding that Warsaw had sufficiently brought its deficit under control, European officials said.
New Zealand shares gained 0.53 percent on Wednesday as rises in the US and Australian markets spurred bargain-hunting, dealers said. The NZX-50 gross index rose 16.88 points to close at 3,177.46 on turnover worth 103.2 million New Zealand dollars (77.8 mi
Singapore share prices closed 1.07 percent higher on Wednesday as worries about inflation eased, dealers said. The blue chip Straits Times Index was 31.00 points firmer at 2,917.62. Volume totalled 1.14 billion shares worth 1.31 billion Singapore dollars
Hong Kong shares rebounded 2.8 percent on Wednesday, recovering from the previous session's steep fall, after the US Fed said it may keep open a lifeline for Wall Street banks battered by the credit crisis.
US stocks rose in another turbulent session on Tuesday as a pullback in oil prices eased worries about consumer and business spending, while financial shares gained after the Fed chairman said he may keep open a lifeline for banks. Technology and retail c
Longer maturity US Treasuries prices rose on Tuesday as a two-day slide in oil prices eased inflation fears. But the bid for short-term US government debt, typically seen as a safe haven when investors shun riskier assets, was depressed by gains in US sto
Longer maturity US Treasuries prices rose on Tuesday as a two-day slide in oil prices eased inflation fears. But the bid for short-term US government debt, typically seen as a safe haven when investors shun riskier assets, was depressed by gains in US sto
Seoul shares reversed early gains to fall to a new 14-month low on Wednesday after reports Iran tested missiles fuelled oil supply worries, while a sharply rising won weighed on exporters such as Samsung Electronics. The Korea Composite Stock Price Index
Indian shares surged to close 4.6 percent higher on Wednesday as global markets rebounded, with positive domestic political sentiment also helping, dealers said. The benchmark Mumbai 30-share Sensex index rose 614.61 points to 13,964.26.
Thai shares closed 0.19 percent lower on Wednesday as investors became jittery in the wake of two major court cases that have rocked the country's ruling party, dealers said. They said the bourse rose in the morning, in line with other regional markets, b
The Nikkei stock average pared much of its earlier gains to end up 0.2 percent on Wednesday after a report that Iran had test-fired missiles, raising fears about a jump in oil prices on heightened tensions in the region. The Japanese stock market sharply
Malaysian share prices closed up 1.7 percent on Wednesday due to bargain-hunting in selected blue chips on the back of strong gains on Wall Street, dealers said. But they said fears of rising inflation kept trading volumes low.
Philippines shares closed 1.26 percent higher on Wednesday due to a drop in oil prices and a rebound in the US stock market, dealers said. The composite index rose 30.98 points to 2,481.53 points. The all-share index rose 1.06 percent to 1,565.25 points.
The Chinese central bank guided the yuan lower against the dollar on Wednesday, indicating it may be engineering another slowdown of yuan appreciation despite this week's call by G8 leaders for a stronger yuan.
The dollar fell against the Swiss franc on Wednesday after Iran test-fired long- and medium-range missiles, stoking worries about geopolitical tensions and sending investors towards a traditional safe haven.
The dollar rose on Tuesday as the Federal Reserve's willingness to keep its emergency lending facility open into 2009 for some Wall Street firms calmed fresh credit concerns and encouraged investors to snap up US stocks.