Print - 2014-03-02
Turkey passes law to shut schools run by Erdogan arch-rival

Turkey passes law to shut schools run by Erdogan arch-rival

Turkey's parliament has passed a bill to close down thousands of private schools, many of which are run by an influential Muslim cleric embroiled in a bitter feud with the government. The move is the latest blow struck in a rivalry between Prime Minister
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
Cotton Spot Rates

Cotton Spot Rates

Official KCA spot rates for local dealings in Pakistan rupees on Saturday (March 01, 2014).

Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
Bullion Rates

Bullion Rates

Gold and silver rates in rupees per 10 grams prevailing in major cities on Saturday (March 01, 2014).

Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
Bullion Rates

Bullion Rates

Gold and silver rates in rupees per 10 grams prevailing in major cities on Saturday (March 01, 2014).

Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
The Weather

The Weather

The weather report on Saturday (March 01, 2014) and the forecast for Sunday (March 02, 2014).

Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
Syria and Pakistan

Syria and Pakistan

In the wake of recent visit of Saudi Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz Pakistan's policy position on Syria keeps coming up for public debate, as much for the initial obfuscation on the part of government on the outcome of visit as for the spanner thrown i
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
TTP's Afghan sanctuaries must be eliminated

TTP's Afghan sanctuaries must be eliminated

US Centcom commander General Lloyd J Austin's recent visit to Rawalpindi/Islamabad came at a time the US is in the process of troop drawdown from Afghanistan, and Pakistan is weighing military option to deal with the Taliban insurgents in the event of lik
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
The export development fund A slush fund?

The export development fund A slush fund?

Except as provided, the WTO regime prohibits export subsidies; and yet countries find ways, sometimes not so ingenious, to do so. Yes, legal battles ensue, most notably between the US and the EU, and, indeed, Indian export subsidies provide ammunition to
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
Kinshasa co-op hopes to conquer world with traffic robots

Kinshasa co-op hopes to conquer world with traffic robots

Can giant robots with a deep voice and massive arms be the answer to easing traffic chaos in the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo? A small co-operative, which developed the novel solution and is testing two robots at key intersections, thinks s
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
Bulgaria chokes on air pollution fuelled by poverty

Bulgaria chokes on air pollution fuelled by poverty

The smokestacks of Kremikovtzi steel mill on Sofia's outskirts may have shut down years ago, but ancient cars ensure that Bulgaria's capital is still the most polluted in Europe. When the steel plant went bankrupt in 2008, it did little to improve the thi
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
Privatisation only for masses' uplift - III

Privatisation only for masses' uplift - III

Some analysts opine that the 1991 privatisation programme of Sharif government was inspired and influenced in its nature by the success of privatisation in UK by the then British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher but those who had studied the working patte
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
11 security men escorting polio team die in twin blasts

11 security men escorting polio team die in twin blasts

At least 12 people, including personnel of Khasadar and Levies force were killed and six others wounded in twin bomb blasts while guarding a polio vaccination team in Lashora, tehsil Jamrud, on Saturday. According to sources the twin blasts were the lates
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
11 security men escorting polio team die in twin blasts

11 security men escorting polio team die in twin blasts

At least 12 people, including personnel of Khasadar and Levies force were killed and six others wounded in twin bomb blasts while guarding a polio vaccination team in Lashora, tehsil Jamrud, on Saturday. According to sources the twin blasts were the lates
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
Three security personnel killed in Quetta

Three security personnel killed in Quetta

At least three security personnel were killed and six injured in an IED explosion at Sorab in Quetta on Saturday. Security officials confirmed that a remote-controlled bomb hit the FC convoy. A heavy contingent of security forces threw a security cordon a
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
Three security personnel killed in Quetta

Three security personnel killed in Quetta

At least three security personnel were killed and six injured in an IED explosion at Sorab in Quetta on Saturday. Security officials confirmed that a remote-controlled bomb hit the FC convoy. A heavy contingent of security forces threw a security cordon a
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
Foreigners detained as Venezuela protesters, security clash

Foreigners detained as Venezuela protesters, security clash

Venezuelan activists called for fresh protests on Saturday after at least 41 people were arrested as street battles raged between security forces and protesters angry at the policies of the country's leftist government. Three weeks of violent protests aga
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
Foreigners detained as Venezuela protesters, security clash

Foreigners detained as Venezuela protesters, security clash

Venezuelan activists called for fresh protests on Saturday after at least 41 people were arrested as street battles raged between security forces and protesters angry at the policies of the country's leftist government. Three weeks of violent protests aga
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
Sisi stays as defence minister in Egypt's new cabinet

Sisi stays as defence minister in Egypt's new cabinet

Egypt's army chief, who has made no secret of his intention to stand for president despite not yet announcing his candidacy, remains defence minister in a new cabinet sworn in Saturday. Field Marshal Abdel Fattah al-Sisi retains the defence portfolio in t
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
Sisi stays as defence minister in Egypt's new cabinet

Sisi stays as defence minister in Egypt's new cabinet

Egypt's army chief, who has made no secret of his intention to stand for president despite not yet announcing his candidacy, remains defence minister in a new cabinet sworn in Saturday. Field Marshal Abdel Fattah al-Sisi retains the defence portfolio in t
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
FTO concerned at performance of customs appraisers

FTO concerned at performance of customs appraisers

Expressing serious concern over performance of customs appraisers, Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) Abdur Rauf Chaudhry questioned if the Appraises cannot detect non application of a Valuation Ruling in a Goods Declaration, then how the Appraisement staff can
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
FTO concerned at performance of customs appraisers

FTO concerned at performance of customs appraisers

Expressing serious concern over performance of customs appraisers, Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) Abdur Rauf Chaudhry questioned if the Appraises cannot detect non application of a Valuation Ruling in a Goods Declaration, then how the Appraisement staff can
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
FTO concerned at performance of customs appraisers

FTO concerned at performance of customs appraisers

Expressing serious concern over performance of customs appraisers, Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) Abdur Rauf Chaudhry questioned if the Appraises cannot detect non application of a Valuation Ruling in a Goods Declaration, then how the Appraisement staff can
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
Russia approves use of military in Ukraine

Russia approves use of military in Ukraine

Russia executed a de facto military takeover of a strategic region in Ukraine as the parliament in Moscow gave President Vladimir Putin a green light on Saturday to proceed to protect Russian interests. The newly installed government in Kiev was powerless
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
Russia approves use of military in Ukraine

Russia approves use of military in Ukraine

Russia executed a de facto military takeover of a strategic region in Ukraine as the parliament in Moscow gave President Vladimir Putin a green light on Saturday to proceed to protect Russian interests. The newly installed government in Kiev was powerless
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
Assessment, recovery: IR Commissioners to deal with specific cases

Assessment, recovery: IR Commissioners to deal with specific cases

The Federal Board of Revenue has directed the Directorate General of Intelligence and Investigation Inland Revenue (IR) to exercise assessment and recovery powers of Commissioners IR only in specific cases involving high revenue to avoid creation of a par
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
Assessment, recovery: IR Commissioners to deal with specific cases

Assessment, recovery: IR Commissioners to deal with specific cases

The Federal Board of Revenue has directed the Directorate General of Intelligence and Investigation Inland Revenue (IR) to exercise assessment and recovery powers of Commissioners IR only in specific cases involving high revenue to avoid creation of a par
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
Assessment, recovery: IR Commissioners to deal with specific cases

Assessment, recovery: IR Commissioners to deal with specific cases

The Federal Board of Revenue has directed the Directorate General of Intelligence and Investigation Inland Revenue (IR) to exercise assessment and recovery powers of Commissioners IR only in specific cases involving high revenue to avoid creation of a par
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
July-January services deficit soars to $1.6 billion

July-January services deficit soars to $1.6 billion

The country's services trade deficit widened to $1.6 billion, up by 670 percent, during the first seven months of current fiscal year, mainly due to slowdown in exports, analysts said. They said a massive increase in services deficit is a matter of concer
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
July-January services deficit soars to $1.6 billion

July-January services deficit soars to $1.6 billion

The country's services trade deficit widened to $1.6 billion, up by 670 percent, during the first seven months of current fiscal year, mainly due to slowdown in exports, analysts said. They said a massive increase in services deficit is a matter of concer
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
July-January services deficit soars to $1.6 billion

July-January services deficit soars to $1.6 billion

The country''s services trade deficit widened to $1.6 billion, up by 670 percent, during the first seven months of current fiscal year, mainly due to slowdown in exports, analysts said. They said a massive increase in services deficit is a matter of conce
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
TTP announces unconditional ceasefire

TTP announces unconditional ceasefire

The Pakistani Taliban on Saturday announced a one-month ceasefire aimed at reviving peace talks after receiving what it said were government assurances it would not be attacked. Speculation has mounted that the Pakistani military is planning an offensive
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
TTP announces unconditional ceasefire

TTP announces unconditional ceasefire

The Pakistani Taliban on Saturday announced a one-month ceasefire aimed at reviving peace talks after receiving what it said were government assurances it would not be attacked. Speculation has mounted that the Pakistani military is planning an offensive
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
Eleven foreign hostages rescued

Eleven foreign hostages rescued

Pakistani officials on Saturday said they had rescued 11 kidnapped foreigners - eight Iranians, two Tunisians and one Yemeni national in Turbat near the Iranian border. The security officials told AFP that those freed did not include a group of Iranian bo
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
Eleven foreign hostages rescued

Eleven foreign hostages rescued

Pakistani officials on Saturday said they had rescued 11 kidnapped foreigners - eight Iranians, two Tunisians and one Yemeni national in Turbat near the Iranian border. The security officials told AFP that those freed did not include a group of Iranian bo
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
Jeish al-Adl denies reports

Jeish al-Adl denies reports

Jeish al-Adl rejected on Saturday the media reports claiming that the Pakistani forces have released the five Iranian border guards who were abducted by the terrorist group along Iran-Pakistan border on February 6. The terrorist group released a post on i
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
Jeish al-Adl denies reports

Jeish al-Adl denies reports

Jeish al-Adl rejected on Saturday the media reports claiming that the Pakistani forces have released the five Iranian border guards who were abducted by the terrorist group along Iran-Pakistan border on February 6. The terrorist group released a post on i
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
Iran says soldiers abducted, taken to Pakistan freed

Iran says soldiers abducted, taken to Pakistan freed

Five Iranian soldiers who were abducted in early February by extremists and taken across the border into Pakistan have been freed, the army's deputy chief of staff said Saturday.
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
Iran says soldiers abducted, taken to Pakistan freed

Iran says soldiers abducted, taken to Pakistan freed

Five Iranian soldiers who were abducted in early February by extremists and taken across the border into Pakistan have been freed, the army's deputy chief of staff said Saturday.
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
Lal Masjid case: Musharraf granted one-day exemption

Lal Masjid case: Musharraf granted one-day exemption

The Additional Sessions Judge (ADSJ) of Islamabad court Saturday granted a one-day (yesterday) exemption to former president General Pervez Musharraf (Retd) to appear in Abdul Rasheed Ghazi's murder case. The ADSJ, Wajid Ali heard Abdul Rasheed Ghazi's ca
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
Lal Masjid case: Musharraf granted one-day exemption

Lal Masjid case: Musharraf granted one-day exemption

The Additional Sessions Judge (ADSJ) of Islamabad court Saturday granted a one-day (yesterday) exemption to former president General Pervez Musharraf (Retd) to appear in Abdul Rasheed Ghazi's murder case. The ADSJ, Wajid Ali heard Abdul Rasheed Ghazi's ca
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
At least 28 dead in 'terror' attack at Chinese train station

At least 28 dead in 'terror' attack at Chinese train station

At least 28 people were killed in a "violent terrorist attack" at a train station in the south-western Chinese city of Kunming by a group of unidentified people brandishing knives, five of whom were shot dead, state media said on Sunday. Another 162 peopl
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
At least 28 dead in 'terror' attack at Chinese train station

At least 28 dead in 'terror' attack at Chinese train station

At least 28 people were killed in a "violent terrorist attack" at a train station in the south-western Chinese city of Kunming by a group of unidentified people brandishing knives, five of whom were shot dead, state media said on Sunday. Another 162 peopl
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
Stolen Cuban art works in Miami, part of Havana museum heist?

Stolen Cuban art works in Miami, part of Havana museum heist?

Almost 100 Cuban art works have apparently been stolen from the country's national art museum, and some are turning up in Miami, according to one of the city's leading gallery owners. Art dealer Ramon Cernuda, a prominent collector of Cuban art who in the
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
Former Guantanamo man faces Syria terrorism charges in UK

Former Guantanamo man faces Syria terrorism charges in UK

Former Guantanamo Bay detainee Moazzam Begg appeared in court in London on Saturday charged with providing terrorist training and funding terrorism in Syria. The 45-year-old from Birmingham in central England indicated he would plead not guilty to the cha
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
Dar directs IPDF to come up with clear ideas on doable projects

Dar directs IPDF to come up with clear ideas on doable projects

Minister for Finance, Mohammad Ishaq Dar here on Saturday directed the Infrastructure Project Development Facility (IPDF) to come up with clear ideas on doable projects in both energy and infrastructure development sectors. The minister chaired a meeting
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
Dar directs IPDF to come up with clear ideas on doable projects

Dar directs IPDF to come up with clear ideas on doable projects

Minister for Finance, Mohammad Ishaq Dar here on Saturday directed the Infrastructure Project Development Facility (IPDF) to come up with clear ideas on doable projects in both energy and infrastructure development sectors. The minister chaired a meeting
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
Dar directs IPDF to come up with clear ideas on doable projects

Dar directs IPDF to come up with clear ideas on doable projects

Minister for Finance, Mohammad Ishaq Dar here on Saturday directed the Infrastructure Project Development Facility (IPDF) to come up with clear ideas on doable projects in both energy and infrastructure development sectors. The minister chaired a meeting
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
Morsi son held in Egypt drugs case

Morsi son held in Egypt drugs case

The authorities in Egypt arrested a 19-year-old son of ousted president Mohamed Morsi Saturday, accusing him of possessing hashish cigarettes, a charge denied by his brother. Security officials said police found two joints on Abdullah Morsi and a friend w
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
Morsi son held in Egypt drugs case

Morsi son held in Egypt drugs case

The authorities in Egypt arrested a 19-year-old son of ousted president Mohamed Morsi Saturday, accusing him of possessing hashish cigarettes, a charge denied by his brother. Security officials said police found two joints on Abdullah Morsi and a friend w
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
Turkey passes law to shut schools run by Erdogan arch-rival

Turkey passes law to shut schools run by Erdogan arch-rival

Turkey's parliament has passed a bill to close down thousands of private schools, many of which are run by an influential Muslim cleric embroiled in a bitter feud with the government. The move is the latest blow struck in a rivalry between Prime Minister
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
Al Meezan Investments inaugurates branch in Islamabad

Al Meezan Investments inaugurates branch in Islamabad

Al Meezan Investment Management Limited (Al Meezan Investments) has opened its Islamabad branch at Jinnah Avenue, Blue Area. The opening of branch is part of its commitment to provide Shariah compliant investment solutions and quality service to the inves
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
Iraq hosts arms exhibition as it battles militants

Iraq hosts arms exhibition as it battles militants

Iraq on Saturday hosted an international arms exhibition for the third year in a row, as it seeks to obtain weapons to bolster its forces in their battle against militants. The government is struggling to contain a year-long surge in violence that has rea
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
Iraq February toll falls but still one of worst in years

Iraq February toll falls but still one of worst in years

The death toll from violence in Iraq fell in February from the previous month, but was still one of the worst in years, new figures showed Saturday as Baghdad hosted an arms exhibition. Less than two months ahead of parliamentary elections, Iraq is suffer
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
Qantas planes clip wings in Los Angeles

Qantas planes clip wings in Los Angeles

Two Qantas planes collided while being towed out of a hanger in Los Angeles, the struggling carrier said Saturday, with the damage substantial enough to cause the cancellation of flights. The incident occurred on Thursday evening US time, the same day the
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
India's women 'sadhus' form all-female group

India's women 'sadhus' form all-female group

Female "sadhus", or holy Hindu women, have broken away from tradition and formed a new all-female group in India that they hope will end male domination of spiritual practices. In the northern city of Allahabad a group of women sadhus formally established
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
Fiat's UK-style revival plan faces Italian hurdles

Fiat's UK-style revival plan faces Italian hurdles

Idle plants, surly unions and a weak, ageing model line-up - the challenges facing Fiat Chrysler's Italian revival sound a lot like the British car industry's low point in 1982. CEO Sergio Marchionne will be hoping the similarities don't end there as he o
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
Obama preaches unity to Democrats at winter meeting

Obama preaches unity to Democrats at winter meeting

A fiery President Barack Obama on Friday attempted to rally Democratic activists to overcome stiff headwinds and work hard for the party's congressional candidates this year in an election-year speech that was sharply critical of Republicans.
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
Libya announces early results of assembly elections

Libya announces early results of assembly elections

Libya's electoral commission Saturday announced the preliminary results from polls for an assembly to draw up a new constitution, although 13 of 60 seats remained vacant after unrest in several areas stopped voting. The election to choose the body to draf
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
Hundreds protest dropped charges over Fukushima crisis

Hundreds protest dropped charges over Fukushima crisis

Hundreds rallied in Tokyo Saturday to protest Japanese prosecutors' decision to drop charges over the Fukushima nuclear crisis, with no one yet punished nearly three years after the "man-made" disaster. No one is officially recorded as having died as a di
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
France striving to stop Central African Republic split: Hollande

France striving to stop Central African Republic split: Hollande

French President Francois Hollande told the Central African Republic on Friday that his troops would work to stop the country splitting in two and endeavour to disarm rival fighters engaged in months of inter-religious killing. Arriving in the capital Ban
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
'Gravity' director praises role of foreigners in Hollywood

'Gravity' director praises role of foreigners in Hollywood

Mexican film director Alfonso Cuaron, nominated for an Oscar for the space thriller "Gravity", sees foreigners in Hollywood today as part of a long industry tradition. Cuaron spoke at an event late Friday organised by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts an
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
Colombian rebels want US to participate in peace talks

Colombian rebels want US to participate in peace talks

Colombia's FARC rebels asked for the United States to join its peace talks with the Colombian government, saying on Friday it would speed up the process because Washington was making all the important decisions anyway. The US State Department said it disa
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
UN calls for more refugee aid at Palestinian development meet

UN calls for more refugee aid at Palestinian development meet

Representatives of 22 nations pledged their support for Palestinian development Saturday, but the UN urged more action for refugees "in need of aid" in an "increasingly dire" situation. The Conference on Co-operation among East Asian Countries for Palesti
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
Sri Lanka family finds mass grave in garden

Sri Lanka family finds mass grave in garden

A Sri Lankan family has stumbled upon the remains of at least nine bodies buried in the garden of their home, police said Saturday, the latest mass grave to be discovered in the country's former war zone. The family made the grisly find on Friday while cl
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
Socialists anoint Schulz candidate for EU top job

Socialists anoint Schulz candidate for EU top job

European Socialists on Saturday anointed Martin Schulz as their candidate for European Commission president, launching their campaign for elections in May with calls to fight unemployment and rising populism. Delegates at a congress of the Party of Europe
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
Thai protesters retreat but crisis 'not over'

Thai protesters retreat but crisis 'not over'

Tensions eased in Thailand's strife-hit capital Saturday after protesters abandoned their attempted "shutdown" of Bangkok, but the move was seen as only a temporary reprieve for the kingdom's embattled premier. The surprise retreat by the opposition demon
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
EU's Ashton calls urgent Ukraine talks Monday

EU's Ashton calls urgent Ukraine talks Monday

European Union foreign ministers will hold a new round of crisis talks in Brussels on Monday on the rapidly escalating tensions in Ukraine, EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton said Saturday. Ministers scrambled to meet while the world watched with a
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
Basque group ETA vows to put arsenal 'out of use'

Basque group ETA vows to put arsenal 'out of use'

The Basque group ETA announced Saturday it would put its arsenal of weapons "out of operational use" in a first step by the considerably weakened separatist group towards an historic disarmament. More than two years after announcing a "definitive end to a
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
South Korea warns Japan of 'isolation' over war sex slavery review

South Korea warns Japan of 'isolation' over war sex slavery review

South Korean President Park Geun-Hye on Saturday warned Japan would face isolation if it pushed ahead with a move to revisit an apology over wartime sex slavery. Her warning, in a speech marking the anniversary of a 1919 anti-Japanese uprising, coincided
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
UK commodity regulator embraces more openness

UK commodity regulator embraces more openness

By publishing a new primer on the changing landscape for commodity markets and emerging issues for regulators, Britain's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has taken a welcome first step towards greater transparency. Despite its rather dull title, the FCA'
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
ICE cotton skids to second straight weekly loss as speculators exit

ICE cotton skids to second straight weekly loss as speculators exit

Cotton futures fell on Friday, skidding to a second straight weekly loss, on concern over demand in top consumer China after a string of volatile trading sessions that lifted prices to six-month highs. The most-active May cotton contract on ICE Futures US
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
Global rubber use to grow faster in 2014 on Asian demand

Global rubber use to grow faster in 2014 on Asian demand

Global rubber consumption is likely to grow faster in 2014 on rising demand from Asia, which along with an expected draw down in massive stockpiles by top consumer China may trigger a rebound in prices, senior industry officials said on Thursday. The indu
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
Analysts edge up Brent forecast, more supply still to lower 2014 price

Analysts edge up Brent forecast, more supply still to lower 2014 price

A Reuters poll showed a higher average price for benchmark Brent crude this year than from the same survey last month, although analysts held to their view of lower prices than last year. Oil prices were expected to fall this year as the market deals with
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
US farm bill holds crop insurance coverage steady for 2014

US farm bill holds crop insurance coverage steady for 2014

US farmers and bankers have almost a year to get ready for major changes in 2015 as crop insurance rather than direct cash payments to producers becomes the centerpiece of farm policy under the five-year farm bill signed by President Barack Obama earlier
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
New York gold down for day

New York gold down for day

Gold fell on Friday as US equities climbed, but the yellow metal still posted its biggest monthly gain since July as persistent concerns about a slowdown in the US economy boosted bullion's safe-haven status. Gold gained nearly 7 percent in February, its
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
Commodity prices mixed on US strains, Brazil drought

Commodity prices mixed on US strains, Brazil drought

Commodity prices diverged this week as traders tracked concerns over US economic growth, which boosted gold futures, and drought conditions in Brazil that again lifted coffee and sugar. The US economy grew more slowly late last year than previously though
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
Khurram Sayeed elected Vice President FPCCI

Khurram Sayeed elected Vice President FPCCI

Khurram Sayeed has been elected un-opposed as the Vice President of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry from the Association Class. He is one of the youngest Vice Presidents of FPCCI and is also the Executive Committee Member of SAARC C
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
99 accused held in raids

99 accused held in raids

Karachi Police on Saturday claimed to have arrested 99 accused in 87 targeted raids, and four encounters in different parts of city during last 24 hours. During the actions, Police recovered 21 handguns, seven hand grenades, 5,975 grams of hashish, 15 gra
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
Warid launches new post-paid plans for its customers

Warid launches new post-paid plans for its customers

Being a trend setter and leader in serving post-paid base of the country, Warid has always been a step ahead in providing premium post-paid services. Warid reinforces its position as Pakistan's most preferred post-paid brand by offering new post-paid plan
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
Wali Babar murder case: two awarded death penalty, four life term

Wali Babar murder case: two awarded death penalty, four life term

Anti Terrorism Court (ATC) Kandhkot on Saturday announced the much-awaited verdict regarding Wali Babar murder case. ATC judge Mushtaq Ahmed Leghari announced the verdict in the case. The court awarded death penalty to most wanted Kamran alias Zeeshan and
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
Wali Babar murder case: two awarded death penalty, four life term

Wali Babar murder case: two awarded death penalty, four life term

Anti Terrorism Court (ATC) Kandhkot on Saturday announced the much-awaited verdict regarding Wali Babar murder case. ATC judge Mushtaq Ahmed Leghari announced the verdict in the case. The court awarded death penalty to most wanted Kamran alias Zeeshan and
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
July-January 2013-14: gold import grows over 40 percent

July-January 2013-14: gold import grows over 40 percent

Gold import posted an increase of over 40 percent during July-January 2013-14 to dollars 172.941 million, Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) say. Gold import grew by dollars 49.553 million during July-January 2013-14 from dollars 123.388 million in the s
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
July-January 2013-14: gold import grows over 40 percent

July-January 2013-14: gold import grows over 40 percent

Gold import posted an increase of over 40 percent during July-January 2013-14 to dollars 172.941 million, Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) say. Gold import grew by dollars 49.553 million during July-January 2013-14 from dollars 123.388 million in the s
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
July-January 2013-14: gold import grows over 40 percent

July-January 2013-14: gold import grows over 40 percent

Gold import posted an increase of over 40 percent during July-January 2013-14 to dollars 172.941 million, Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) say. Gold import grew by dollars 49.553 million during July-January 2013-14 from dollars 123.388 million in the s
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
Pakistan snatches 'most people waving flags' world record

Pakistan snatches 'most people waving flags' world record

Pakistan has snatched another world record with 60,000 people waving national flags on Saturday during Punjab Youth Festival organised by Punjab Government. Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif also participated in the event, adding to the motivation of particip
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
Pakistan snatches 'most people waving flags' world record

Pakistan snatches 'most people waving flags' world record

Pakistan has snatched another world record with 60,000 people waving national flags on Saturday during Punjab Youth Festival organised by Punjab Government. Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif also participated in the event, adding to the motivation of particip
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am
'Pakistan nukes under control of Prime Minister-headed central body'

'Pakistan nukes under control of Prime Minister-headed central body'

Pakistan will not delegate 'advance authority' over nuclear weapons to military unit commanders even in the event of a crisis with India, according to a media report. An unnamed senior Pakistani official was quoted by Washington-based National Journal as
Published 02 Mar, 2014 12:00am