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Nov 17, 2024 اردو ► PRINT EDITION ► BR MARKETS ► Dollar to PKR ►
Print - 2010-02-19
Chinese denial puts Nigeria's telecom sale in doubt

Chinese denial puts Nigeria's telecom sale in doubt

China's No 2 telecoms carrier China Unicom on Thursday denied any involvement in a $2.5 billion bid for Nigeria's former state telecoms monopoly, putting in doubt what would be the African country's biggest privatisation. The Nigerian government body over
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Nokia Siemens wins $300 million India deal

Nokia Siemens wins $300 million India deal

Telecom network equipment maker Nokia Siemens said on Thursday it had won a gear and services deal with Aircel worth over $300 million, its second big deal in the massive Indian market inside a week. NSN said the contract would see it supply GSM radio, co
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Goodyear posts fourth quarter profit; North America loss narrows

Goodyear posts fourth quarter profit; North America loss narrows

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co posted a quarterly profit on Thursday that exceeded Wall Street forecasts, supported by better-than-expected results at its key North American unit and shares rose 2.5 percent. Goodyear, the largest US tire maker, posted a much l
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Goodyear posts fourth quarter profit; North America loss narrows

Goodyear posts fourth quarter profit; North America loss narrows

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co posted a quarterly profit on Thursday that exceeded Wall Street forecasts, supported by better-than-expected results at its key North American unit and shares rose 2.5 percent. Goodyear, the largest US tire maker, posted a much l
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
India's food prices accelerate again

India's food prices accelerate again

India's food inflation picked up for the fourth straight week in early February, heightening worries it was driving headline inflation past official forecasts and increasing the chance of the central bank pushing up rates. Food prices rose 17.97 percent i
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Hong Kong shares fall, China jitters spark profit taking

Hong Kong shares fall, China jitters spark profit taking

Hong Kong shares retreated from near two-week highs on Thursday as lingering worries over China's policy tightening prompted investors to take profits from the market's recent rebound. Dealers said investors were reluctant to stake out new positions until
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Company results, data lift US stocks

Company results, data lift US stocks

Stronger-than-expected corporate results and upbeat economic data drove US stocks higher on Wednesday as they fed expectations the recovery will bolster corporate profits. Deere & Co, the world's largest farm equipment maker, led markets after its results
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Seoul shares decline

Seoul shares decline

Seoul shares fell on Thursday, snapping a two-session gaining streak, with losses by auto issues like Hyundai Motor weighing, but rises in retail stocks such as Lotte Shopping lending support. The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) finished down 0.
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
South Korean longer-dated bonds rise

South Korean longer-dated bonds rise

South Korea's longer-dated treasury bonds reversed early falls to eke out a small gain by the close Thursday, helped by foreign buying for a third consecutive session. The debt market opened weaker, pressured by the central bank chief's remarks on interes
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
South Korean longer-dated bonds rise

South Korean longer-dated bonds rise

South Korea's longer-dated treasury bonds reversed early falls to eke out a small gain by the close Thursday, helped by foreign buying for a third consecutive session. The debt market opened weaker, pressured by the central bank chief's remarks on interes
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
US bonds fall

US bonds fall

US Treasury debt prices fell on Wednesday after strong data and minutes from the Federal Reserve underpinned expectations for improved economic growth. Minutes from the Fed's January meeting suggest a reasonably upbeat outlook for the economy, and several
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
US bonds fall

US bonds fall

US Treasury debt prices fell on Wednesday after strong data and minutes from the Federal Reserve underpinned expectations for improved economic growth. Minutes from the Fed's January meeting suggest a reasonably upbeat outlook for the economy, and several
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Asian bond spreads widen slightly

Asian bond spreads widen slightly

Asian bond spreads widened slightly on Thursday, tracking weakness in the region's equities markets, while expected new corporate issues from Indonesia and India kept some investors on the sidelines. The Asia ex-Japan iTraxx investment-grade index widened
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Asian bond spreads widen slightly

Asian bond spreads widen slightly

Asian bond spreads widened slightly on Thursday, tracking weakness in the region's equities markets, while expected new corporate issues from Indonesia and India kept some investors on the sidelines. The Asia ex-Japan iTraxx investment-grade index widened
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Nikkei claws higher

Nikkei claws higher

Japan's Nikkei stock average rose 0.3 percent on Thursday, clawing to its highest close in two weeks, as buying of defensive shares such as retailers outweighed profit-taking a day after the benchmark made its biggest gain in over two months. Kubota Corp,
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
JGB futures inch down

JGB futures inch down

Japanese government bond futures softened on Thursday, paring early gains after the Bank of Japan held off making any new policy easing steps, prompting some investors who had bet on more measures to exit their positions. Cash JGBs were little changed but
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
JGB futures inch down

JGB futures inch down

Japanese government bond futures softened on Thursday, paring early gains after the Bank of Japan held off making any new policy easing steps, prompting some investors who had bet on more measures to exit their positions. Cash JGBs were little changed but
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Chinese markets close for Lunar New Year

Chinese markets close for Lunar New Year

China's stock, money, foreign exchange and commodity futures markets are closed this week for the Lunar New Year holiday. Trading will resume on Monday, February 22.
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
BoJ keeps rates on hold

BoJ keeps rates on hold

The Bank of Japan kept interest rates on hold and held off on new policy initiatives on Thursday as widely expected, but persistent deflation is likely to keep government pressure simmering for more action. The central bank maintained its commitment to ke
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Dollar holds ground in Asia

Dollar holds ground in Asia

The dollar rose towards a seven-month high against a basket of currencies on Thursday after the International Monetary Fund said it planned to sell more gold in the market, pushing down bullion prices and commodity-linked currencies. The IMF said it would
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Dollar climbs to two-week high

Dollar climbs to two-week high

The dollar rose to a two-week high against the yen and rallied against the euro on Wednesday, lifted by stronger-than-expected US housing and industrial data and as worries about Greece's fiscal health weighed on the euro. The single currency failed to su
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Hong Kong dollar moves narrowly

Hong Kong dollar moves narrowly

The Hong Kong dollar moved narrowly against the US dollar in subdued trade with participants looking for signs of any outflow of funds after the recent strength of the local market and China raising reserve requirements, which triggered concern over furth
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Swiss franc rises

Swiss franc rises

The Swiss franc ticked higher against the euro on Thursday after a monthly rise in Swiss exports added further support to the currency. However, the threat of a Swiss National Bank intervention continued to keep a lid on the franc's rise, analysts said. T
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Rupiah and peso weighed down

Rupiah and peso weighed down

The Philippine peso and most other Asian currencies fell on Thursday due to the dollar's broad strength and weakness in regional stocks, prompting Indonesia's central bank to intervene to stem the slide in the rupiah. The dollar rose towards a seven-month
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Australian dollar decade highs

Australian dollar decade highs

The Australian dollar struck decade highs against the euro on Thursday, but was otherwise hamstrung by a bounce in the US dollar and news that the International Monetary Fund was selling more gold. The euro hit a low of A$1.5112, but had edged off by late
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Australia to go to World Cup amid family fears

Australia to go to World Cup amid family fears

Hockey Australia (HA) said Thursday there was no change in their plans to play in this month's Hockey World Cup, despite calls from team family members to boycott the event over terrorism fears. The organisation said it had been advised by Australia's Dep
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Vonn, White cement superstar status at problem-hit Games

Vonn, White cement superstar status at problem-hit Games

Lindsey Vonn lived up to her reputation as the best downhill skier in the world by claiming the women's Olympic title on Wednesday as Shaun White and Shani Davis made it a golden day to remember for the United States. But with the Games in day six, more b
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Sharapova cruises into quarter-finals

Sharapova cruises into quarter-finals

Top-seeded Russian Maria Sharapova cruised into the quarter-finals of the WTA Tour event here Wednesday, crushing American Bethanie Mattek-Sands 6-1, 6-1. The Russian remained on course for a clash with second-seeded American Melanie Oudin, who beat compa
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Injured Smith out of one-dayers

Injured Smith out of one-dayers

South Africa's captain Graeme Smith will miss the one-day series against India due to a finger injury, an official said on Thursday. All-rounder Jacques Kallis will lead the tourists in the three-match series starting in Jaipur on Sunday, South African me
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Khalid Nawaz becomes Mr Pakistan Railway

Khalid Nawaz becomes Mr Pakistan Railway

Malik Khalid Nawaz clinched 90-kg category to become Mr Pakistan Railway in Pakistan Railways Divisional Body Building Championship at Railway Stadium here on Thursday. The event was won by Workshop securing 77 points followed by Lahore 57 points, Karachi
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Shoaib Akhtar dreams of captainship

Shoaib Akhtar dreams of captainship

Controversial fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar wants to captain Pakistan in international cricket before retiring. "I hope one day I will be given that chance before I retire as it's still my dream to captain Pakistan," Shoaib told website www.pakpassion.net on
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
PFF U-14 Youth Cup draws announced

PFF U-14 Youth Cup draws announced

Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) on Thursday announced draws of PFF's U-14 Super Six round that will get underway from 21st February. Top four teams of PFF Youth U14 Cup will earn berth in the 12th National U14 Festival of Football from 27th February to
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Pakistani players to be included in IPL season 4

Pakistani players to be included in IPL season 4

IPL chairman Lalit Modi said that two new teams would be included in season 4 of IPL and Pakistani players would be included in auction for season 4 teams. Talking to a private news channel he said that IPL officials wanted to include Pakistani players in
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
India crush South Africa to level series 1-1

India crush South Africa to level series 1-1

India defied an unbeaten century from Hashim Amla to crush South Africa by an innings and 57 runs in the final Test on Thursday to draw the series 1-1. Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh claimed 5-59 as the tourists, trailing by 347 runs on the first innings, we
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
US introduces new application form for non-immigrant visas

US introduces new application form for non-immigrant visas

The US Embassy Islamabad and US Consulate Karachi will require non-immigrant visa applicants to use a new web-based application form starting February 22, 2010. The new DS-160 application form incorporates all existing applications into one interactive, o
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
'Trucks sales growth depicts economic recovery'

'Trucks sales growth depicts economic recovery'

Despite the upward rise in prices, the concurrent increase in the sale of trucks from 1,663 units in July 2008-January 2009 to 1,914 units in July 2009-January 2010 gives a somewhat positive impression of some economic recovery in the country, Irfan Shaik
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Punjab Privatisation Bill 2010 passed

Punjab Privatisation Bill 2010 passed

Punjab Assem-bly on Thursday deliberating on resumption of clause-by-clause consideration of Punjab Privatisation Board Bill 2010 passed it with two amendments. Under the bill provincial government shall establish Privatisation Board in the Province.
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Egypt set to ban gatherings for ElBaradei return

Egypt set to ban gatherings for ElBaradei return

Egypt is poised to ban any gatherings in Cairo to mark the planned return on Friday of former UN nuclear watchdog chief and potential presidential candidate Mohamed ElBaradei, security sources said. The 2005 Nobel laureate, who is expected to fly home on
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Iran's former consul general granted asylum in Norway

Iran's former consul general granted asylum in Norway

Iran's former consul general in Oslo, who quit his job last month in protest at Tehran's violent repression of opposition demonstrators, has been granted political asylum in Norway, an official said Thursday. "Mohammed Raza Heydari and his family have bee
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Frenchman in jute boat sets sail from Bangladesh

Frenchman in jute boat sets sail from Bangladesh

A Frenchman has set sail from Bangladesh in an "unsinkable" eco-friendly boat partly made of jute in a bid to promote the natural fibre and highlight the plight of Bangladeshi fisherman. Corentin de Chatelperron, 26, said the journey from the southern Ban
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Two candidates killed in run-up Philippine election

Two candidates killed in run-up Philippine election

Two more politicians in the Philippines have been assassinated amid rising violence ahead of national elections in May, police said Thursday. The killings on Wednesday saw one victim gunned down outside a church in the central Philippines and the other, a
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Yemen rebels hand over two Saudi soldiers

Yemen rebels hand over two Saudi soldiers

Yemeni Shia rebels turned over two captive Saudi soldiers to Yemeni authorities on Thursday as part of efforts to end a long-running conflict in northern provinces bordering Saudi Arabia, a government official said. "The two were handed over to the Yemeni
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Suicide bomber kills 11 in Iraq

Suicide bomber kills 11 in Iraq

A suicide bomber killed at least 11 people and wounded 21 on Thursday in Iraq's increasingly turbulent western Anbar province, a senior Iraqi army official and police said. A medical source said Ramadi's main hospital had received 13 bodies and 26 people
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Dubai sees Mossad behind killing, may seek spymaster

Dubai sees Mossad behind killing, may seek spymaster

Dubai's police chief said on Thursday he believed Israeli agents were involved in killing a Hamas militant in the emirate, and called for the Mossad spy agency's boss to be arrested if its responsibility was proved. As an international row over last month
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
French politicians rap fast food chain for halal menu

French politicians rap fast food chain for halal menu

A French fast food chain's decision to serve only halal meat in eight restaurants with a strong Muslim clientele has sparked a wave of criticism from politicians decrying the step as unacceptable. A far-right leader said the 350-branch Quick chain was imp
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
One dead, 50 hurt in Bangladesh opposition protest

One dead, 50 hurt in Bangladesh opposition protest

One demonstrator was killed and 50 were injured when police fired tear gas to disperse opposition activists in the Bangladesh capital Dhaka on Thursday, police and witnesses said. Demonstrators from the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) set fi
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Astronomers find oldest stars outside Milky Way

Astronomers find oldest stars outside Milky Way

European Southern Observatory astronomers said Wednesday they had uncovered the oldest stars in our galactic neighbourhood thanks to a massive telescope installed in Chile. Finding the most primitive stars outside the Milky Way galaxy "is crucial for our
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Rajaratnam, Chiesi face October 25 criminal trial

Rajaratnam, Chiesi face October 25 criminal trial

Galleon hedge fund founder Raj Rajaratnam can expect to go on trial on criminal charges of insider trading on October 25, a US judge said on Wednesday, a ruling that complicates a civil trial on similar charges. Manhattan federal court Judge Richard Holwe
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Nato air strike kills seven Afghan cops

Nato air strike kills seven Afghan cops

A Nato air strike mistakenly killed seven Afghan police and wounded two others in northern Afghanistan on Thursday, hospital and government officials said. The Nato-run International Security Assistance Force confirmed an "incident" but a spokesman told A
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Nato may need 30 days to secure Taliban stronghold

Nato may need 30 days to secure Taliban stronghold

Nato and Afghan troops fighting the Taliban in southern Afghanistan still face stiff resistance in parts of Marjah and may need 25 to 30 days to secure the entire area, a Nato commander said on Thursday. Major General Nick Carter, the British commander of
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Marines still looking over shoulder for Taliban

Marines still looking over shoulder for Taliban

It's only been six days since Nato launched a major assault against the Taliban and some Afghans are already asking Marines when they can reopen their shops. But it's hard to say whether that's a sign the Taliban had faded away, or just a false sense of s
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Missionaries accused of Haiti child trafficking back in US

Missionaries accused of Haiti child trafficking back in US

Eight American missionaries who were charged with child kidnapping in Haiti arrived back in the United States early Thursday after being freed by a judge in the quake-devastated nation. Two of their number remained behind bars and were to face questioning
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
US judge exonerates murder convict, 17 years later

US judge exonerates murder convict, 17 years later

A North Carolina man who spent nearly 17 years in prison on a first-degree murder conviction was released with his name cleared Wednesday, thanks to a unique innocence commission. The courtroom erupted in cheers, while Greg Taylor and his family members w
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Turkey's government threatens judiciary with referendum

Turkey's government threatens judiciary with referendum

Turkey's Islamist-rooted government on Thursday threatened to call a referendum on constitutional reforms as a deepening row with secularists within the judiciary upset markets in the EU candidate country. The dispute, which pushed lira and stocks down al
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Thursday's midday trade: Wall Street edges up

Thursday's midday trade: Wall Street edges up

US stocks edged higher on Thursday as data pointing to gains in the manufacturing sector offset Wal-Mart Stores Inc's disappointing outlook. The Philadelphia Federal Reserve Bank's mid-Atlantic factory survey showed more-than-expected growth in February a
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
European bonds: Solvay, Akzo, BT, Daimler widen

European bonds: Solvay, Akzo, BT, Daimler widen

Credit default swaps jumped wider on Solvay, Akzo Nobel, Daimler and BT Group on Thursday following results and a ratings downgrade, while European CDS indexes were little changed. Among a slew of corporate reports, Benelux chemical companies AkzoNobel an
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
European bonds: Solvay, Akzo, BT, Daimler widen

European bonds: Solvay, Akzo, BT, Daimler widen

Credit default swaps jumped wider on Solvay, Akzo Nobel, Daimler and BT Group on Thursday following results and a ratings downgrade, while European CDS indexes were little changed. Among a slew of corporate reports, Benelux chemical companies AkzoNobel an
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
South East Asian stocks fall

South East Asian stocks fall

Singapore shares fell almost 1 percent on Thursday, leading losses in other Southeast Asian markets amid lingering worries over Greece's fiscal problems, with a stronger dollar prompting selling in resource shares. The Straits Times Index ended down 0.9 p
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Indian shares ease

Indian shares ease

Indian shares shed 0.6 percent on Thursday after a two-day rise, weighed down by Reliance Industries on concern the energy major would have to pay more if it wants to buy LyondellBasell. Reliance, the country's largest-listed firm with the most weight in
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
UK's top share index climbs

UK's top share index climbs

Britain's top share index hit a one-month closing high on Thursday, extending its advance into a fourth consecutive session, led by commodity stocks on firmer metals and oil prices, and with banks also in demand. The FTSE 100 index closed up 48.45 points,
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Implied euro rates at lows

Implied euro rates at lows

Implied eurozone interest rates squeezed lower on Thursday as markets took the view that some countries' fiscal problems will make it difficult for the European Central Bank to scale back its stimulus measures. Two-year bond yields and interest rate swaps
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Sterling falls versus euro

Sterling falls versus euro

Sterling fell on Thursday after Britain's public finances for January turned out much worse than expected, adding to concerns over the government's borrowing targets. Figures showed Britain posted its first budget deficit for the month of January since re
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Dollar gains versus majors in London

Dollar gains versus majors in London

The dollar edged close to a seven-month high against a basket of currencies on Thursday after minutes showed US Federal Reserve policymakers had discussed strategies for withdrawing monetary stimulus. The euro fell against the dollar, nearing a nine-month
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Indian rupee falls

Indian rupee falls

The Indian rupee weakened on Thursday as the dollar climbed overseas, triggering demand for the US unit from importers. Lower domestic shares also weighed. The partially convertible rupee ended at 46.27/28 per dollar, about 0.3 percent lower than Wednesda
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
New York cotton near 17-month peak

New York cotton near 17-month peak

US cotton futures neared 17-month highs on Thursday, rallying with other industrial commodities such as oil and copper, after encouraging economy data and fears that cotton stockpiles were shrinking. New York's key March cotton contract settled up 1.8 cen
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Liffe sugar and coffee lower

Liffe sugar and coffee lower

May white sugar ended $7.10 lower at $706.90 a tonne on Thursday. Market under pressure from insufficient offtake from key importers and strength of dollar. May cocoa on Liffe ended 7 pounds higher at 2,263 pounds a tonne. Traders continue to keep close e
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Copper remains high

Copper remains high

Copper hit a three-week high on Thursday, extending a recent rally as market players bet on robust demand in coming weeks from China, the world's top industrial metals consumer. Benchmark copper for three-months delivery on the London Metal Exchange was l
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Oil rises above $78

Oil rises above $78

Oil rose above $78 a barrel on Thursday, supported by a drop in US distillate inventories despite a stronger US dollar. US crude oil futures rose $1.45 to $78.78 a barrel, about 1.9 percent at 2:09 pm EST (1910 GMT). Brent crude gained $1.31 to $77.58 a b
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Gold jumps in Europe

Gold jumps in Europe

Gold jumped on Thursday as investors shunned paper currencies and piled into gold, while the market shrugged off dollar moves and news that the IMF would sell gold in the open market. Spot gold was bid at $1,120.55 an ounce at 1604 GMT, against $1,106.00
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
US MIDDAY: sugar and coffee bounce

US MIDDAY: sugar and coffee bounce

Summaries of the ICE Futures US cocoa, coffee and sugar markets early on Thursday. May arabica coffee contract rose 1.95 cents to $1.3660 per lb at 11:02 am EST (1602 GMT). Session range from $1.3405 to $1.3735, the highest since February 3. Arabica coffe
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
US MIDDAY: wheat and corn lower

US MIDDAY: wheat and corn lower

Wheat futures on the Chicago Board of Trade were lower early on Thursday on technical selling and plentiful global wheat supplies, traders said. The spot CBOT March wheat contract was down 8 cents at $4.86-3/4 per bushel by 10:09 am CST (1609 GMT), droppi
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
US MIDDAY: soya retreats

US MIDDAY: soya retreats

Soyabean futures on the Chicago Board of Trade retreated and fell to the day's low toward midday on Thursday as the dollar rallied against the euro, traders said. As of 11:30 am CST (1730 GMT), March soyabeans were down 8-1/2 cents at $9.43 per bushel aft
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
US MIDDAY: copper bounces

US MIDDAY: copper bounces

US copper futures erased earlier losses and ratcheted up to a new three-week high above $3.30 per lb early on Thursday, buoyed by a decline in the dollar and strength in US equity markets. Benchmark copper for March delivery firmed 3.90 cents, or 1.2 perc
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
US MIDDAY: gold declines

US MIDDAY: gold declines

US gold futures fell early on Thursday, resuming Wednesday's declines prompted by news of gold sales by the IMF, after briefly turning positive on a weaker dollar following a jump in weekly US jobless claims. COMEX April gold was down $3.10 at $1,117.00 a
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Why is he so reluctant?

Why is he so reluctant?

It is our misfortune that we are born in a country where the rulers do not feel any trouble in their conscience when they work against the law of the land. Despite all this, they claim that they are law-abiding people and have high regard for the law. Unt
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Nomination of G-B governor

Nomination of G-B governor

Delegation of semi-autonomous powers to the people of Gilgit-Baltistan is one of the biggest achievements of the present government. This, no doubt, is a fruitful effort towards delegation of administrative powers to the people of this land of 200 million
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Drought threatens agro-based economy

Drought threatens agro-based economy

The current hydrological drought, leading to agricultural drought is alarming for crops failure as canal water and rains are major source of irrigation for agriculture in Pakistan. A yield loss of 0.4 to 0.5 million tons for wheat crop has been estimated
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Only independent judiciary can check authoritarian rule

Only independent judiciary can check authoritarian rule

Great hope for a democratic Pakistan, emerged on March 9, 2007 by the utterance of "no" to a dictator by the head of historically timid and pro-establishment judiciary, is now fast fading. Once again, serious doubts are being cast about the existence of a
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Stemming the tide of anti-Americanism

Stemming the tide of anti-Americanism

After his two-day visit to New Delhi, US Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry has arrived in Pakistan to hold talks with the government and military leaders. While talking to Gilani, Kerry assured him that Washington and Islamabad would
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Is the crisis over?

Is the crisis over?

In the name of "participatory and consensus-oriented" consultations, Prime Minister Gilani finally gave up on his defiance - which was essentially not his, but of the pro-Zardari hawks in the government - and appeared as an uninvited guest at Chief Justic
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Social Welfare Department holds Children Mela

Social Welfare Department holds Children Mela

Secretary Social Welfare, Women Development and Baitul Mal Tariq Feroze has said that special attention is being paid for the betterment of children as the process of implementation of departmental policies for social development in the province is contin
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Deletion of stainless steel sheets from ATT list demanded

Deletion of stainless steel sheets from ATT list demanded

President Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), Muhammad Ishaq Butt, has called upon the government to take effective steps for stopping smuggling of stainless steel under Pak-Afghan transit trade.
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Seminar on investment opportunities on February 22

Seminar on investment opportunities on February 22

The government has arranged a seminar on investment opportunities in Pakistan and to promote closer business to business relationship between Pakistan and the UAE in Dubai on February 22. The seminar on Business & Investment will also focus on exploring w
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
'FESCO making efforts to promote corporate culture'

'FESCO making efforts to promote corporate culture'

FESCO is making serious efforts to promote corporate culture. FESCO is one of the prime corporate identity catering to the electricity need of Faisalabad region said Ms Rafia Kazmi. She was addressing a training workshop hosted by Human Resources departme
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
41st draw of Rs 1,500 prize bonds held

41st draw of Rs 1,500 prize bonds held

The 41st draw of Rs 1,500 denomination National Prize Bonds was held on Wednesday at State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) BSC (Bank), Rawalpindi. The draw ceremony was presided by Ex-Director State Bank of Pakistan Muhammad Sohrab Abbasi, said a statement issued
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Chief minister, governor attend funeral prayers of DPO Bannu

Chief minister, governor attend funeral prayers of DPO Bannu

The funeral prayer of the injured District Police Officer (DPO) Bannu Iqbal Marwat who breathed his last on Wednesday was held here at police lines. The DPO sustained serious injuries in the February 11 suicide attack on police lines Bannu and was under t
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Call to promote good governance in country

Call to promote good governance in country

Former Chief Secretary Punjab AZK Sherdil has stated that independent media, parliament and civil society can play their due roles in effective monitoring of the government performance to ensure management of public affairs in an open, transparent and equ
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
PML-N welcomes government's decision to appoint judges

PML-N welcomes government's decision to appoint judges

Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N)'s Central Senior Vice President Makhdoom Javed Hashmi on Thursday welcomed the government's decision to appoint judges in the light of recommendations made by Chief Justice of Pakistan. Talking to journalists here on Thurs
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
LG new phone launched

LG new phone launched

LG Electronics (LG) on Thursday announced its new LG GD880, or LG Mini, a new phone that accentuates its trendsetting design with a full complement of intelligent features. LG Mini is the smallest and slimmest 3.2-inch full touch screen phone on the marke
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Ufone offers number porting

Ufone offers number porting

Ufone has recently launched another irresistible offer for cellular consumers on other networks to join Ufone. The latest Mobile Number Portability offer allows customers to port their numbers on Ufone's network without any hassle. In addition, customers
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
COPS condemns government move to increase power tariff

COPS condemns government move to increase power tariff

President Consumer of Pakistan Society (COPS), Dr Mohammad Tariq Bucha has strongly reacted to government's decision to increase the electricity tariff for domestic, commercial, industrial and agricultural usage, and said the government should not penalis
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Nadra achieves ISO 9001:2008 certification

Nadra achieves ISO 9001:2008 certification

National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) has achieved ISO 9001:2008 certification for its two National Registration Centres (NRCs). The audit was conducted by an internationally accredited body Bureau Veritas Certification (Pvt) Ltd recently.
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Three funds: NAFA announces interim distribution

Three funds: NAFA announces interim distribution

National Fullerton Asset Management Limited (NAFA) has announced interim distribution on its three funds for the quarter ended December 31, 2009. The quarterly payouts for these funds as a percentage of Ex-Div NAV of June 30, 2009 are as follows: NAFA Cas
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Three funds: NAFA announces interim distribution

Three funds: NAFA announces interim distribution

National Fullerton Asset Management Limited (NAFA) has announced interim distribution on its three funds for the quarter ended December 31, 2009. The quarterly payouts for these funds as a percentage of Ex-Div NAV of June 30, 2009 are as follows: NAFA Cas
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
USAID to help Punjab set up centre of excellence for mangoes

USAID to help Punjab set up centre of excellence for mangoes

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) will help the Punjab government in setting up a 'Centre of Excellence for Mangoes' in the province with a view to carry out research and extension work simultaneously for increasing its export
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
Garments sector: UNDP-led training programme generates 4,500 fresh jobs

Garments sector: UNDP-led training programme generates 4,500 fresh jobs

National Project Manager, Gender Promotion (Gen-Prom), Punjab, Sajeel Butt, said on Thursday that the UNDP-led training programme for the readymade garments sector has generated fresh jobs for 4,500 workers, women are in majority, by providing them skille
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
'PEF to adopt 150 non-operational schools in Punjab'

'PEF to adopt 150 non-operational schools in Punjab'

Chairman Chief Minister Task Force for Elementary Education, Raja Muhammad Anwar, has said that Punjab Education Foundation (PEF) will adopt 150 non-operational schools of Punjab from the total 1050 schools of the province on the directives of Chief Minis
Published 19 Feb, 2010 12:00am
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