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Nov 17, 2024 اردو ► PRINT EDITION ► BR MARKETS ► Dollar to PKR ►
Print - 2010-02-17
Peripheral euro zone government bond spreads widen

Peripheral euro zone government bond spreads widen

The premium investors demand to buy Greek, Portuguese and Irish government debt rather than German benchmarks rose on Tuesday after euro zone states urged Greece to announce more deficit-control steps by mid-March if needed. The spread widening came just
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Nikkei edges up

Nikkei edges up

Japan's Nikkei average edged up 0.2 percent on Tuesday but gains were limited by concerns over risk factors such as the impact of China's efforts to curb bank lending and Greece's fiscal woes. Toyota Motor Corp edged higher after having been battered over
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
JGB futures hit seven-week high

JGB futures hit seven-week high

Japanese government bond futures rose to their highest this year on Tuesday after the Ministry of Finance's five-year note auction showed strong investor demand for government debt. JGBs fell in early trade as investors trimmed holdings of cash bonds to m
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
JGB futures hit seven-week high

JGB futures hit seven-week high

Japanese government bond futures rose to their highest this year on Tuesday after the Ministry of Finance's five-year note auction showed strong investor demand for government debt. JGBs fell in early trade as investors trimmed holdings of cash bonds to m
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Thai cabinet approves $3 billion savings bond issue

Thai cabinet approves $3 billion savings bond issue

Thailand's cabinet approved Tuesday a six-year government savings bonds issue worth up to 100 billion baht ($3 billion) in late March, bigger than earlier projected, to refinance loans borrowed for stimulus spending. The issue is part of the government's
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Thai cabinet approves $3 billion savings bond issue

Thai cabinet approves $3 billion savings bond issue

Thailand's cabinet approved Tuesday a six-year government savings bonds issue worth up to 100 billion baht ($3 billion) in late March, bigger than earlier projected, to refinance loans borrowed for stimulus spending. The issue is part of the government's
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Seoul shares rise

Seoul shares rise

Seoul shares rose on Tuesday in a light post-holiday trading but caution prevailed, as investors waited for major markets to open to gauge impacts from China's tightening move and efforts to support debt-ladden Greece. The Korea Composite Stock Price Inde
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
South Korean bond yield curve steepens

South Korean bond yield curve steepens

The yield curve on South Korean treasury bonds steepened slightly on Tuesday, with China's credit controls and a central bank statement reinforcing the view that interest rates would stay low for several more months. With China's move to tighten loans spa
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
South Korean bond yield curve steepens

South Korean bond yield curve steepens

The yield curve on South Korean treasury bonds steepened slightly on Tuesday, with China's credit controls and a central bank statement reinforcing the view that interest rates would stay low for several more months. With China's move to tighten loans spa
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Asian stocks follow Europe higher in quiet trade

Asian stocks follow Europe higher in quiet trade

Asian stocks edged higher on Tuesday tracking gains in Europe, where hopes grew that regional governments would help Greece through its debt crisis, dealers said. But gains were muted as many Asian markets stayed closed for the Lunar New Year celebrations
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Australian shares rise

Australian shares rise

Australian stocks rose 0.5 percent on Tuesday to end near a two-week high as strong earnings from Westpac Banking Corp, the country's third largest lender, pulled financial stocks up. Shares traded as much as 1.2 percent higher early, but lower US futures
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Indian rupee at near two-week high

Indian rupee at near two-week high

The Indian rupee strengthened to a near two-week high on Tuesday boosted by gains in other regional peers and a marginal rise in local shares which raised hopes for capital inflows. At 11:25 am (0555 GMT), the partially convertible rupee was at 46.17/18 p
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Euro gains but beset by persistent Greek worries

Euro gains but beset by persistent Greek worries

The euro rose against the dollar on Tuesday as expectations that European finance ministers would not say anything new on solving Greece's debt woes prompted short-term players to trim their short positions. But many investors remained cautious about buyi
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Key gthree-month Euribor rate inches up

Key gthree-month Euribor rate inches up

Key Euribor interest rate rose slightly on Tuesday but remained close to record lows as the glut of cash pushed into markets by the European Central Bank kept downward pressure on bank-to-bank lending rates. The three-month rate - traditionally the main g
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Asian currencies up

Asian currencies up

Asian currencies rallied in thin trade on Tuesday, supported by a modest rebound in the battered euro as the European Union struggled to work out a rescue plan for debt-ridden Greece. The Singapore dollar and Philippine peso led the Asian gains. The euro
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Swiss franc slips

Swiss franc slips

The Swiss franc lost ground against the euro on Tuesday after a decline in Swiss import and producer prices signalled inflationary pressures were dwindling. But the Swissie stayed close to the Swiss National Bank's mooted intervention threshold of 1.46 fr
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Australian dollar 10-year high

Australian dollar 10-year high

The Australian dollar crept up to new decade highs on the euro on Tuesday as the country's central bank said further increase in interest rates were likely this year, a marked contrast to most other developed nations. Minutes released for the Reserve Bank
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Swiss steals Alpine thunder, China break duck

Swiss steals Alpine thunder, China break duck

Swiss Didier Defago dashed out of the shadows of more fancied rivals to win the showcase men's downhill at the Winter Olympics on Monday as China gracefully broke Russia's astonishing 46-year grip on pairs skating gold. Canada failed to build any momentum
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Twenty20 'ripe for corruption' says Tim May

Twenty20 'ripe for corruption' says Tim May

International players' union FICA chief executive Tim May has warned that Twenty20 cricket is "ripe for corruption" and urged the sport's administrators to exercise extreme care. "Twenty20 is just ripe for corruption - the shorter the game the more influe
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Pitch invader fined 8,000 dollars

Pitch invader fined 8,000 dollars

A spectator who ran onto a cricket pitch and wrestled Pakistan's Khalid Latif to the floor during a one-day international in Australia was Tuesday fined 9,000 dollars (8,058 US). Perth resident David James Fraser, 37, pleaded guilty to one charge of tresp
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Laxman and Dhoni put India in charge

Laxman and Dhoni put India in charge

Vangipurappu Laxman and Mahendra Singh Dhoni hit magnificent centuries to put India in sight of a series-levelling victory over South Africa in the second and final Test on Tuesday. Laxman carved out an unbeaten 143 and Dhoni struck 132 not out as the hos
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Afridi set to feature in Emirates Airline Twenty20

Afridi set to feature in Emirates Airline Twenty20

Swashbuckling all-rounder Shahid Afridi has signed up to play in the inaugural Emirates Airline Twenty20 Tournament in Dubai. In an amazing coup, Fly Emirates XI - a team of amateurs who juggle cricket with busy jobs at the Emirates Group - have recruited
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
England await security details after Pune attack

England await security details after Pune attack

England Hockey performance director David Faulkner said on Tuesday it was still the team's intention to compete at the upcoming World Cup in India despite last weeekend's terror attack in Pune "At present there's no intelligence to tell us we shouldn't be
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
India making special security arrangements

India making special security arrangements

India has made special security arrangements for smooth conducting of Hockey World Cup being held here from February 28. One thousand security personnel and about 200 commandos especially trained in sharp shooting will be deployed to man high-rise buildin
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Hockey World Cup trophy unveiled in New Delhi

Hockey World Cup trophy unveiled in New Delhi

The trophy for World Cup hockey tournament 2010 unveiled here consists of a silver cup with an intricate floral design, surmounted by a globe of the world in silver and gold, placed on a high blade base inlaid with ivory. Atop these are replicas of hockey
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Britons pay for compatriots' heating bills abroad

Britons pay for compatriots' heating bills abroad

British taxpayers sent 14 million pounds in the form of a government winter fuel payment to tens of thousands of their retired compatriots in other European countries last year, a newspaper said Tuesday. The annual payment for British pensioners to help t
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
World's 'most popular woman' delays Saudi exams

World's 'most popular woman' delays Saudi exams

Hillary Clinton got a rapturous welcome on Tuesday at an elite Saudi women's college and was hailed as the world's "most popular woman" - after arriving there late and delaying exams. The US secretary of state, on a Gulf mini-tour aimed at rallying suppor
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
EU extends Zimbabwe sanctions for another year

EU extends Zimbabwe sanctions for another year

The European Union has extended sanctions on Zimbabwe for another 12 months, citing a lack of progress in implementing a power-sharing accord. A unity government formed last year between President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, the le
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Darfur peacekeepers get helicopters after long wait

Darfur peacekeepers get helicopters after long wait

International peacekeepers in Sudan's Darfur region received their first five military helicopters on Tuesday, ending a more than two-year wait for air support in a strife-torn territory the size of Spain. Military commanders and activists have repeatedly
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Taliban invite journalists

Taliban invite journalists

The Taliban on Tuesday invited journalists to a region of southern Afghanistan besieged by US-led troops so they "can see with their own eyes" a massive assault aimed at eradicating militants from the area. In an emailed invitation to AFP, the "Islamic Em
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Taliban bombs hinder Marjah offensive

Taliban bombs hinder Marjah offensive

Thousands of US-led troops fighting to capture a key Taliban bastion in Afghanistan risked becoming bogged down Tuesday, running into resistance from mortars and scores of buried bombs. The slowing progress in what military officials have billed as the bi
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Filmers of Iran protest death win Polk Award in New York

Filmers of Iran protest death win Polk Award in New York

The unnamed people who captured on video and made public the shooting death of an Iranian protester have been chosen to receive a George Polk Award, the first time the journalism prize has honoured work produced anonymously.
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Gambia expels UNICEF envoy

Gambia expels UNICEF envoy

Gambia has expelled UNICEF's envoy, the United Nations children's agency said on Monday in the west African country regularly criticised for human rights violations. "UNICEF received a letter last week from the government stating that the country represen
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Turkey can help world understand Iran: Mottaki

Turkey can help world understand Iran: Mottaki

Turkey can help world powers understand Iran as it is familiar with Tehran's nuclear programme, Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said on Tuesday. After holding talks with his visiting Turkish counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu, Mottaki said Ankara was
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Israel mulling a spring or summer war

Israel mulling a spring or summer war

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Tuesday that Iran's arch-foe Israel was mulling starting a war "next spring or summer" but has yet to make a final decision. Without specifying whom would be targeted, Ahmadinejad said: "According to information we ha
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Ahmadinejad warns against sanctions, dismisses dictatorship claim

Ahmadinejad warns against sanctions, dismisses dictatorship claim

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Tuesday any country that tried to impose new sanctions on Iran would regret its actions, as the United States and Russia voiced shared concern about Tehran's nuclear programme. Ahmadinejad was speaking a day after US
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Defeated Fonseka goes to court over vote

Defeated Fonseka goes to court over vote

Defeated Sri Lankan presidential candidate General Sarath Fonseka, now in military custody, has filed a petition against what he alleges is vote rigging in last month's poll, his lawyers and opposition figures said on Tuesday. Fonseka, a former army chief
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Dogs detect bombs better than British detectors: Thai Prime Minister

Dogs detect bombs better than British detectors: Thai Prime Minister

British-made GT-200 bomb detectors have proven ineffective, having failed to detect explosives 16 times out of 20 in recent tests, Thai Prime Minister Abbhisit Vejjajiva said Tuesday "Dogs are more efficient at detecting bombs than the GT-200," Abhisit to
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Obama announces $8.3 billion loan for first US nuclear power plant

Obama announces $8.3 billion loan for first US nuclear power plant

President Barack Obama announced $8.3 billion in loan guarantees on Tuesday to build the first US nuclear power plant in nearly three decades in a move designed to help advance climate legislation in Congress. Obama, a Democrat, said the United States nee
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Euro Libor edge off lows

Euro Libor edge off lows

Benchmark eurozone interbank lending rates held near their record lows on Tuesday as banks continued to take large amounts of central bank liquidity, while implied rates were squashed as the market scaled back rate hike expectations. Take-up at the Europe
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Sterling slips versus euro

Sterling slips versus euro

Sterling slipped against the euro on Tuesday, with the single European currency gaining broadly as the market took the view its recent sell-off had gone far enough for now. Traders cited a squeeze of short euro positions established as the currency tumble
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Euro recovers versus dollar in London

Euro recovers versus dollar in London

The euro edged up against the dollar on Tuesday, recovering some of its recent losses as traders reckoned the single currency's battering in past weeks over Greek public finance issues may have gone too far. Gains were limited, however, due to uncertainty
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
South East Asian stocks: Indonesia near two-week high

South East Asian stocks: Indonesia near two-week high

Indonesian stocks climbed to their highest in almost two weeks on Tuesday as investors bought resource shares, and Thai shares also rose, although to a lesser extent as political worries deterred some investors. Manila edged higher, while Singapore and Ma
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
European CDS mixed

European CDS mixed

European corporate credit default swap spreads were mixed on Tuesday, with the iTraxx Crossover index staying above 500 basis points for a second day. Sovereign debt issues remained in the spotlight, with European ministers urging Greece to take extra ste
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
European CDS mixed

European CDS mixed

European corporate credit default swap spreads were mixed on Tuesday, with the iTraxx Crossover index staying above 500 basis points for a second day. Sovereign debt issues remained in the spotlight, with European ministers urging Greece to take extra ste
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Indian shares rise

Indian shares rise

Indian shares rose 1.2 percent on Tuesday as world markets pushed higher, but investors were wary and Bharti Airtel fell sharply for a second day on its $10.7 billion bid for Kuwaiti Zain's African assets. Financials led the gainers on optimistic long-ter
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Asian markets closed

Asian markets closed

Hong Kong markets were closed to mark the third day of the Lunar New Year. They reopen tomorrow. Singapore and Malaysia remained closed for the Lunar New Year holiday. They will resume trading on Wednesday, but China and Vietnam are closed for the week.
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Tuesday's midday trade: US stocks rise

Tuesday's midday trade: US stocks rise

US stocks rose 1 percent on Tuesday as the latest batch of corporate earnings and data on manufacturing in New York state improved the profit and economic outlook. Commodity-related shares rose as the euro rebounded after recent losses against the dollar.
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
European shares gain for sixth day

European shares gain for sixth day

European shares rose for the sixth session in seven on Tuesday, with Barclays leading banks higher after it kicked off the UK sector's reporting season with forecast-beating results. Commodity shares gained on higher crude and metals prices, which were he
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
FTSE stays higher

FTSE stays higher

Britain's top shares closed sharply higher on Tuesday as Barclays led a banking sector rally after its 2009 forecast-beating results, and oils and miners were buoyed by firmer commodity prices. The FTSE 100 ended up 76.59 points, or 1.5 percent, at 5,244.
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
LME to postpone LMEsword launch

LME to postpone LMEsword launch

The London Metal Exchange will postpone the launch of LMEsword until April 12 to allow members and warehouse agents more time to familiarise themselves with the LMEsword system. The system was initially slated to go live on February 22. "Warehouse agents
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Liffe sugar and cocoa higher

Liffe sugar and cocoa higher

May robusta coffee finished $2 lower at $1,316 per tonne on Tuesday. Market struggling to find support in the absence of a strong fundamental story. May cocoa on Liffe ended 8 pounds higher at 2,286 pounds a tonne. Advance linked to a weaker dollar while
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Copper jumps to two-week high

Copper jumps to two-week high

Copper prices jumped on Tuesday to their highest in more than two weeks as the dollar sank against the euro, and investors eyeing strong growth in Asia and bullish inventory data piled into industrial metals. Aluminium touched $2,134 a tonne, the highest
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
World oil gains four percent

World oil gains four percent

Oil prices jumped 4 percent to above $77 a barrel on Tuesday, responding to a weaker US dollar, stronger equities, and growing tensions over sanctions against Iran. US crude for March delivery rose $2.94 to $77.07 a barrel by 1:36 pm EST (1836 GMT). In Lo
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Gold rises in Asia

Gold rises in Asia

Gold prices rose on Tuesday, staying above $1,100 per ounce as investors remained risk averse on concerns about Greece's fiscal crisis, although trading was subdued with many Asian players away for the Chinese new year. Price moves were exaggerated in Asi
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Gold spikes above $1,120 in European trade

Gold spikes above $1,120 in European trade

Gold rose almost 2 percent on Tuesday, hitting a two-week high at $1,120.75 an ounce, as the single European currency won respite from recent hefty losses against the dollar. While sentiment for the euro remained shaky overall - a factor that would normal
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Coffee, sugar and cocoa up

Coffee, sugar and cocoa up

Summaries of the ICE Futures US cocoa, coffee and sugar markets early on Tuesday. May arabica coffee contract rose 1.60 cents to $1.3590 per lb at 11:07 am EST (1607 GMT). Session range from $1.3360 to $1.3645. Arabica coffee climbed to a two-week high on
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
US MIDDAY: wheat soars

US MIDDAY: wheat soars

Soft red winter wheat futures rose in early trading at the Chicago Board of Trade on Tuesday on support from a falling dollar and a rally in the stock market, traders said. Hard red winter wheat futures at the Kansas City Board of Trade and Minneapolis Gr
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
US MIDDAY: soya and corn climb

US MIDDAY: soya and corn climb

Soyabean and corn futures on the Chicago Board of Trade were higher early on Tuesday, buoyed by a weaker dollar, short-covering and spillover strength from other commodities including crude oil and gold, traders said. As of 9:40 am CST (1540 GMT), CBOT Ma
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
US MIDDAY: copper rises sharply

US MIDDAY: copper rises sharply

US copper futures rallied to their loftiest levels since late January early on Tuesday, driven by renewed dollar weakness and improved underlying market fundamentals. Benchmark copper for March delivery climbed 8.80 cents, or 2.9 percent, to $3.1710 per l
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
US MIDDAY: gold rallies

US MIDDAY: gold rallies

US gold futures rallied almost 3 percent to two-week highs early on Tuesday as the euro gained strength against the dollar on the view that markets had over-reacted to Greece's debt problems. COMEX April gold up $27 at $1,117 an ounce at 10:15 am EST (151
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Police working with devotion: DIG

Police working with devotion: DIG

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), Mohammad Ali Khan said here on Tuesday that police force of the area was doing its duty with full devotion in order to keep law and order situation under control. He said, "it was our duty to provide s
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
ASLP mill starts another four-year project to increase milk production

ASLP mill starts another four-year project to increase milk production

Improving Dairy Production in Pakistan through improved extension services, a project under Agriculture Sector Linkages Programme (ASLP), is going to end by next month and another four year project is expected to start in April-May this year to increase m
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Consultation does not mean consent

Consultation does not mean consent

Forget about the fact that Zardari is, like it or not, the President and is bound by the advice of only the Prime Minister and no one else, although he should consult with the Chief Justice regarding the appointment of the judges. But consultation's meani
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Immunity is parliament's domain

Immunity is parliament's domain

Look at these headlines: "Let the parliament do away with President's immunity (under Article 248), Swiss cases will be reopened"; "Let the Supreme Court interpret Article 248 and if anyone has any objection, he should go the court." These headlines, in f
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
GOOD MORNING: Where will the axe fall and who will bleed the most?

GOOD MORNING: Where will the axe fall and who will bleed the most?

Let's begin with the common man and his mounting fears of what can lie ahead. Let's begin with the anxious mood that began on Saturday evening when the collision course surfaced. Let's begin with the gnawing question of what lies ahead. What can happen if
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Good governance - a demand-side approach

Good governance - a demand-side approach

A recent editorial in national newspaper states: In separate comments, in Islamabad, both the Prime Minister and the Chief Justice have spoken of good governance and how it can be achieved. This shows both men are aware that good governance is an issue th
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Taxing agricultural income: Will Tarin succeed or will he fail?

Taxing agricultural income: Will Tarin succeed or will he fail?

Addressing a task force on private sector development last week, Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin reiterated his resolve to bring new services into the tax net, and announced that tax on agricultural income would be introduced in the next financial year. If
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Dangerous twist in dark arts of politics

Dangerous twist in dark arts of politics

Shedding ambiguity that had surrounded his stance on the judges' appointments though not many, there were some good-intentioned people always believed it was there - Prime Minister Gilani has come out openly in the support of President Zardari.
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Peace Caravan expresses solidarity with NWFP

Peace Caravan expresses solidarity with NWFP

Peace Caravan, comprising of civil society activists, intellectuals, writers, trade union and peasant leaders and other participants of the 'Peace Caravan' organised by the Pakistan Peace Coalition (PPC) have expressed solidarity with terrorism affected p
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Customs Agents call on new Collector Customs

Customs Agents call on new Collector Customs

A delegation of Frontier Custom Agents Group NWFP called on newly appointed Collector Customs, Nasir Khan at the new Model Custom Collectorate Peshawar. The delegation was led by Chairman Frontier Customs Agents Group NWFP, Zia-ul-Haq Sarhadi, said a pres
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Defence lawyers seek bail for US militant suspects

Defence lawyers seek bail for US militant suspects

Defence lawyers for five Americans held for alleged militant links stepped up calls on Tuesday for their clients to be freed on bail, saying the evidence against them was "vague". The five US citizens were produced in an anti-terrorism court in Sargodha,
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
'Lawyers will not accept any curbs on judiciary'

'Lawyers will not accept any curbs on judiciary'

Former President Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) Hamid Khan has said that the lawyers would not accept any curbs on the judiciary. He was speaking at a joint press conference organised here on Tuesday to announce the candidature of Mian Abdul Qudus f
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
PSQCA told to seal 17 bottled drinking water manufacturing companies

PSQCA told to seal 17 bottled drinking water manufacturing companies

The Lahore High Court (LHC) here Tuesday directed Pakistan Standard Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) to seal 17 bottled drinking water manufacturing companies working without valid licenses. The court issued these directions while hearing a petition agai
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Sunflower growers asked to sow spring crop by end-February

Sunflower growers asked to sow spring crop by end-February

The Punjab Agriculture Department advised the sunflower growers to complete sowing of their spring crop in plain areas of the province by the end of this month and in Rawalpindi division (except hilly areas) sowing should be completed from the end of Febr
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Education voucher scheme extended to three more districts

Education voucher scheme extended to three more districts

With a view to promote affordable quality education for the less privileged and disenfranchised sections of society, the Punjab Education Foundation has decided to further extend its Education Voucher Scheme (E.V.S) in the districts of Kasur, Rawalpindi a
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
'Electronic ticketing system to be extended to all toll plazas'

'Electronic ticketing system to be extended to all toll plazas'

The Federal Minister for Communications Dr Arbab Alamgir Khan Khalil has said that electronic ticketing toll management system will be extended to all the toll plazas on the motorways to enhance the government revenue. He expressed these views while addre
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
IOM dispatches 150 tool kits to flood-victims in Swat

IOM dispatches 150 tool kits to flood-victims in Swat

International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has dispatched 150 tool kits to help families whose homes were damaged by flash floods caused by heavy rains in northern Pakistan's Swat region last week. The floods destroyed homes in the Babuzai, Charbagh,
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Government urged to probe into funds' embezzlement by NGO

Government urged to probe into funds' embezzlement by NGO

Members of the National Assembly (MNAs) on Tuesday urged the government to refer the matter related to the alleged misappropriation of funds by the Network for Consumer Protection, an NGO to Public Accounts Committee (PAC) or appoint an administrator over
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
NESPAK's role in provision of engineering solutions lauded

NESPAK's role in provision of engineering solutions lauded

National Engineering Services Pakistan (Pvt) Limited (NESPAK) was providing technical support for various projects including Atlas Power Plant, construction of Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Cadet College Khanpur and some projects of AJK Government. NESPAK has de
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Exhibition of A Q Arif's works on February 18

Exhibition of A Q Arif's works on February 18

Tanzara Art Gallery (TAG) will hold the solo show on works of a Karachi based artist, A Q Arif here on February 18. The show would continue till February 27 presenting the latest works of painter A.Q. Arif who creates beautiful dreamy landscapes in a semi
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
'Industrial workers' children to be given scholarships'

'Industrial workers' children to be given scholarships'

Punjab Labour Minister, Muhammad Ashraf Khan Sohna has said that the industrial workers' children will be given scholarships for getting education abroad. Talking to newsmen here on Tuesday, he said that Talent Scholarship to the tune of Rs 4.19 million w
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Punjab to spend Rs four billion on cities' facelift

Punjab to spend Rs four billion on cities' facelift

The Punjab government will spend Rs 4 billion on face lifting of small and middle cities and expansion of link roads in Punjab, Business Recorder has learnt. Official sources on Tuesday said that under the plan Rs 2 billion would be spent on the pr
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Kamal lays foundation stone of 'Shuhada-e-Ashura' memorial

Kamal lays foundation stone of 'Shuhada-e-Ashura' memorial

Nazim Karachi Syed Mustafa Kamal has said that the memorial to be constructed at the Light House would be a symbol of shia-sunni unity and cohesion and would keep refreshing the memories of all the Muslims martyred on Ashura day. He was talking to the med
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Rs 12 billion spent on livestock, dairy development

Rs 12 billion spent on livestock, dairy development

Ministry of Livestock and Dairy Development during its first 14-month has initiated several projects costing Rs 12 billion for the development of livestock sector in the country. This was stated by the Minister for Livestock and Dairy Development (ML&DD),
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Parliamentarians urged to discuss Auditor General's report in assembly

Parliamentarians urged to discuss Auditor General's report in assembly

Saraiki Inqilabi Council Chief Muzaffar Hussain Magassi has urged upon the parliamentarians to discuss the report of the Auditor General of Pakistan in the assembly session and taking the responsible persons to task who had embezzled or wasted billions of
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
NWFP Assembly body recommends restoration of Cooperative Bank

NWFP Assembly body recommends restoration of Cooperative Bank

The meeting of the special committee set up by Chief Minister for restoration of Cooperative Bank, on Tuesday recommended to the government to revive the closed entity. It is worth mentioning that the Provincial Assembly (PA) has moved a resolution for th
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Rs 18.5 billion being spent on health schemes

Rs 18.5 billion being spent on health schemes

Punjab government is spending Rs 18.5 billion on different health schemes and provision of free health cover in the Province. Official sources told Business Recorder here on Tuesday that under the programme, ultra modern emergency wards in 10 distr
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Pak-Australia JTC meeting held after four years

Pak-Australia JTC meeting held after four years

The second Pakistan-Australia Joint Trade Committee (JTC) meeting was held in the Ministry of Commerce here on Tuesday after a gap of four years. The meeting was held back to back with the political consultations in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Au
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Symposium on 'Engineering Sciences'

Symposium on 'Engineering Sciences'

A one-day symposium on "Engineering Sciences" would be held in Lahore on March 10. The symposium will provide a platform for sharing of scientific research and professional experience in engineering sciences. Some 40-research articles will be presented re
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
EDA team visits Smeda head-office

EDA team visits Smeda head-office

A five-member delegation led by Ms Robin L Raphel, Co-ordinator for Economic and Development Assistance (EDA) of the US Embassy on Tuesday visited the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (Smeda) head office. The delegation discussed with th
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
LHC reshuffles civil, AD&S judges

LHC reshuffles civil, AD&S judges

The Lahore High Court (LHC) has reshuffled 18 Civil Judges and Additional District and Session Judges (AD&SJ) across Punjab through promotions, postings and transfers against the vacant seats. A notification issued here Tuesday made the following postings
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
PBC to boycott courts on February 18

PBC to boycott courts on February 18

Punjab Bar Council (PBC) has announced on Tuesday to observe strike across the province tomorrow (Thursday) to express solidarity with Chief Justice on his stand off with the President on judges' elevation issue. He said lawyers from across the province w
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
LHC directs RPO to recover child

LHC directs RPO to recover child

The Lahore High Court (LHC) Chief Justice here on Tuesday directed Regional Police Officer (RPO) Rawalpindi to recover child of a polish woman from the custody of her former husband and produce the minor in court on Wednesday (today).
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Petition seeking disqualification of Nawaz dismissed

Petition seeking disqualification of Nawaz dismissed

A full bench of the Lahore High Court (LHC) here Tuesday dismissed a petition seeking disqualification of PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif and upheld the decision of the Returning Officer. The bench held in its decision that the petitioner had failed to provide e
Published 17 Feb, 2010 12:00am
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