Malaysian palm oil futures fell more than 1 percent on Friday, marking close to a 4 percent weekly drop, as concerns lingered over slowing demand after major consumer India increased import taxes last week. The benchmark palm oil contract for May delivery

The bull market for stocks turns nine years old on Friday and, despite being long in the tooth, appears poised to set the record as the longest in history, buoyed by global economic growth and stronger company earnings. It is unlikely to be a smooth ride,

The weather report on Friday (March 09, 2018) and the forecast for Saturday (March 10, 2018).

This apropos a Business Recorder news item "NIP discouraging foreign investment in Karachi?" carried by the newspaper yesterday. According to it, the industrial investment at the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) located at Bin Qasim Industrial Area (BQI

From ketchup to automobiles and soybeans, President Donald Trump's contentious tariffs on steel and aluminum imports could bring unintended consequences for industries in the very places that handed him his election victory.

Pakistan has raised the issue of India's grave human rights violations in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IoK) during the 37th Session of UN Human Rights Council, being held in Geneva, Switzerland, says a press release issued here on Friday.

Pakistan strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Mosalla-e-Mazar area of Kabul on Friday. "We are grieved at the loss of precious lives in the brutal attack of terrorism. We express our deepest sympathies and condolences to the bereaved families and pr

President Pakistan People's Party Parliamentarians (PPPP), Asif Ali Zardari has appointed Amir Fida Paracha as spokesperson to President PPPP with immediate effect. A notification in this regard has been issued by Rukhsana Bangash, the Political Secretary

Pakistan Stock Exchange denies in strongest possible terms various "unfounded" and "baseless" allegations contained in the article captioned 'Spring-Clean at the PSX' which appeared in Business Recorder of March 6, 2018, particularly the assertion

Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Imran Khan has said that PTI senators would neither vote to Pakistan Peoples Party nor to PML-N in the election for the slot of Senate chairman. Speaking at a press conference here Friday after the PTI's core committee me

Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami, Pakistan, Senator Sirajul Haq, has called upon the Supreme Court to strictly deal with those indulging in horse trading in the Senate elections. Addressing a large public meeting at Mardan on Friday, he also urged the political part

Chief of his own faction of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI), Maulana Fazlur Rehman met former prime minister Nawaz Sharif in Lahore on Friday and discussed matters related to election of Senate chairman and deputy chairman. Sources claimed that Maulana Fazl su

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Friday formally notified all candidates who were successfully elected in March 3 Senate elections except the five senators-elect for their dual nationality. The Election Commission has withheld notifications of th

The Supreme Court Friday observed that time-barred appeal can't be entertained as it would set wrong precedent. A three-judge bench, headed by Justice Asif Saeed Khan Khosa, dismissed an appeal against the Peshawar High Court verdict in a murder case.

Pakistan has told the United Nations (UN) that the opportunity for peace in Afghanistan opened up by President Ashraf Ghani's offer of unconditional talks to the Taliban should not be undermined by the escalation of military force.

The Chief justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar on Friday said private medical colleges would not be allowed to rob students in the name of education and admission. Hearing a suo motu matter about higher fees of the private medical colleges a bench led by

Senators from FATA called on former president of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari and chairman Pakistan Peoples Party Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari at Zardari House Islamabad on Friday.

The KCCI's My-Karachi, Oasis of Harmony Exhibition 2018, will portray the true picture of Karachi as a peaceful city and economic hub of Pakistan; this was expressed by Siraj Kassam Teli, chairman Businessmen Group and former president of Karachi Chamber

The chances of the ruling PML-N to win the Senate chairman election as compared to the PPP, seem to be high, after the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) refused to support Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz's nominees for top slot

Father of seven-year-old girl Zainab, Haji Ameen Ansari on Friday filed a plea in Supreme Court seeking security due to threats from convict Imran Ali's family. In a plea, the plaintiff said that Imran's relatives are harassing. He also demanded to arrest

The image of Pakistan has improved as the country gives full support to China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), says a Chinese leading media house, the Global Times. As an example, Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi was the first high-level fore

A two-day workshop on Muslim women as agent of change concluded at International Islamic University (IIU) focusing on the responsibilities of women in various roles to counter terrorism and disseminating message of peace.

The Pink Ribbon Pakistan (PRP) and the Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for breast cancer awareness drive in the higher education institutions of the province. Professor Dr Mohammad Nizamuddin Chairperso

The Pak-Afghan border was reopened on Friday for trade activities at Ghulam Khan, North Waziristan Agency (NWA) on trial basis. Ghulam Khan border was closed for every sort of economic activities as well as for tribesmen living on both sides of Pak-Afghan

The Division Bench of Islamabad High Court (IHC) Friday rejected the plea of former Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, to provide bullet-proof vehicle for his security. IHC Judge, Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kiyani announcing th

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Hamza Shahbaz has said that during last five years transparent and sustainable development has been made by the present government and no matter how big obstacle is, 2018 would be year of lion that would defeat

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah presiding over a meeting on Friday to review PSL final match arrangements at CM House has directed the administration to start beautification of the city to develop a festive type of atmosphere. "This is the first

Punjab University Faculty of Engineering and Technology has won 1st and 2nd prizes in Pakistan Association of Automotive Parts and Accessories Manufacturers (PAAPAM) Innovation Awards 2018 in a countrywide competition of universities.

The Pakistan People's Party (PPP) has cancelled March 23 public rally of Bilawal Bhutto in Lahore. Bilawal was due to address a public rally at Minto Park on Pakistan Day as announced by the party two weeks back. However, party secretary general of Punjab

Provincial Assembly adopted 'Sindh Universities Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2018' on Friday that replaced provincial Governor with Chief Minister as Chancellor of the public sector universities in Sindh, amid Opposition's walkout in protest. The MPAs belonging

National Vocational and Technical Training Centre (NAVTTC) on Friday joined hands with Association of Builders and Developers of Pakistan (ABAD) to provide technical trainings related to construction works. Zulfiqar Cheema Executive Director NAVTTC while

The Chairman and Board of Directors of Al Baraka Bank (Pakistan) Ltd. (ABPL) appointed Ahmed Shuja Kidwai as 'Chief Executive Officer' of the Bank, with effect from March 01, 2018. Kidwai is a seasoned banker with over 40 years of diversified experience i

TPL e-Ventures has invested in financial services startup KarloCompare which will help Pakistani consumers looking to apply for a credit card, loan or buy an insurance policy by getting the required information before they make their decision. It will als

The Naveena Group has announced to enter into the business of steel production by establishing a 300,000 metric tons per annum steel melting and re-rolling mill at Port Qasim, Karachi. The project is being developed in view of the bright prospects of Paki

Revealing some of the unknown facts and breaking a commonly perceived myth, Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company (SECMC) has clarified that the mining project of Thar Coal Block II will pump out only 0.02% of underground water, which will not at all impact the

Society faces a dual challenge: how to make a transition to a low-carbon energy future to manage the risks of climate change, while also extending the economic and social benefits of energy to everyone on the planet. In Asia, where urbanisation, living st

Nikon Pakistan powered by Camtronx - The Exclusive Distributor of Nikon, has set another milestone with the launch of its first online shopping store "www.nikon.com.pk", in Pakistan. The store has gone live with a boom. The launch of the store has offered

Rice exports from Pakistan have posted a significant growth during the first eight months of this fiscal year (FY18). Rice export increased by 27 percent during July to February of FY18 compared to some period of last fiscal year 2017. In term of value, P

Standard Chartered Bank (Pakistan) Limited has announced its Annual Results for 2017. The Bank performed fundamentally well and delivered profit before tax of Rs 13.5 billion. Revenue was lower by Rs 1.1 billion primarily due to reduced margins and re-pri

Standard Chartered Bank (Pakistan) Limited has announced its Annual Results for 2017. The Bank performed fundamentally well and delivered profit before tax of Rs 13.5 billion. Revenue was lower by Rs 1.1 billion primarily due to reduced margins and re-pri

Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL), operator of Adhi Field, together with its joint venture partners Oil and Gas Development Company Limited and Pakistan Oilfields Limited has discovered hydrocarbons from exploratory well Adhi South X-1, located in Rawalpin

A parliamentary body was informed on Friday that Capital Development Authority (CDA) distributed 610 plots worth Rs 930 million among various people for agriculture purpose but the allotees of 508 plots turned the farmhouses into residences, resulting in

The nation's most exciting music platform, Coke Studio, is all set to achieve another landmark by launching its 11th Season in July. Coke Studio Pakistan will thus continue to take Pakistanis on its unique musical journey. In the last 10 years Coke Studio

Directorate General Customs Valuation (DGCV) has revised the customs values of Industrial Roller Chains (IRC). According to details, the customs values of IRC were earlier determined vide valuation ruling 641 in 2014. As the ruling was very old and did no

A delegation led by Senior Deputy Convener MQM-P Bahadurabad group met chief of Pakistan Muslim League Functional Pir Sibghatullah Rashidi at his Kingri House, here on Friday. The MQM-P delegation included Kunwar Naveed Jameel, Khuwaja Izharul Hassan, Meh

In lieu with its vision to connect the people of Pakistan to superior quality internet, StormFiber has officially announced the launch of its premium internet, TV and phone services in Peshawar. The momentous launch event was held at local hotel in Peshaw

"Imran Khan checkmated Zardari sahib, or so say, some of our political pundits."

The Punjab Provincial Development Working Party approved four environment improvement schemes of Local Government Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Okara and Bahawalpur with an estimated cost of Rs 137.775 million on Friday. These schemes were approved in PPDWP's 5

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Quaid for life Nawaz Sharif on Friday announced he revolts against 70-year-old policies. Addressing a public meeting here he reiterated that he would not allow anyone to tamper the sanctity of vote and deplored that the ruling

The Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz's (PML-N) leader Maryam Nawaz stated that if Imran Khan had worked properly, he would not have been secretly rendezvousing with Asif Ali Zardari. While addressing a rally in Bahawalpur, she kept up the verbal onslaught on

Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Saqib Nisar on Friday paid a surprise visit to two government hospitals in Lahore and reviewed medical services extended to patients. Accompanied by Lahore High Court Chief Justice Yawar Ali, the chief justice of Pakistan

The central council of the MMA would meet in Islamabad on March 12 to elect its central office bearers at the invitation of Amir JUI-F Maulana Fazlur Rehman. This was stated by the Secretary General, Jamaat-e-Islami, Liaqat Baloch, while talking to newsme

Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that the process of industrial development will speed up due to overcoming of energy crisis and it will also broaden the prospects of employment. When we came to power in 2013, the people were suffering from l

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Friday arrested a man for doing illegal money transaction (hundi/hawala) business and recovered a huge sum of money and other objectionable material from his custody. Acting on a tip-off, an FIA Lahore Corporate C

Honorary Consul General of Pakistan to Finland Wille Eerola has said that Finland and Pakistan have a huge scope to expand business relations in various sectors of the economy therefore the private sector in Pakistan should enhance its interaction with th

A writ petition was filed in the Lahore High Court on Friday against the Punjab Education Foundation for giving one-time exemption to its 80 employees including senior officers whose degrees and experience certificates could not be verified from the Highe

Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) is endeavouring to help and facilitate exporters of all the product sectors with the aim to capitalize their potential for the growth of trade and investment in the country. Mian Riaz Ahmed, Director General

Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar on Friday took exception to remarks of PPP's outgoing senator Aitzaz Ahsan on judiciary and advised him to speak his mind about the state institution in the court. The other day, Aitzaz in his farewell speech in

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) will achieve five major objectives that include increase in cross-border trade, under National Single Window (NSW) project with one-stop facility for all trade related activities for traders, importers, exporters and inv

In order to facilitate taxpayers and be part of ease of doing business, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has modified the process of obtaining exemption from deduction of tax under section 153 of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001. According to the FBR's in

Total Parco Pakistan Limited participated in the Pakistan Auto Show 2018, held at the Expo Centre, Lahore, from 2nd to 4th March 2018. The event is organized by PAAPAM (Pakistan Association of Automotive Parts and Accessories Manufacturers). It is the lar

Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua said that the current official visit is the continuation of engagement with the US. The recent high level exchanges between the two countries are meant to better understand each other's perspective.

The National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) in its quest to promote Islamic Banking in Pakistan has inaugurated another new branch of Aitemaad at I&T Centre, located in the Sector G-9/1 of Islamabad, taking the total number of Islamic banking branches to 170.

NAB chairman Javed Iqbal chaired a high-level meeting at NAB Headquarters and reviewed overall progress since after he took over the responsibilities of NAB chairman. He expressed his satisfaction over the performance of NAB and directed operations and pr

NAB Rawalpindi arrested Farooq Awan, Ex-Secretary Ministry of Information Technology in case of the investigation against him and others regarding misuse of authority to give illegal benefits to M/S Midas, said a press release. As per details, Farooq Awan

The upcoming anti-polio campaign has been planned in 17 high risk districts of the province from March 12 including Afghan refugees' camps wherein 4.437 million children under the age of five will be vaccinated. This was decided in a meeting held here at

The successful completion of road projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) framework would depend on the next government's priorities, as no major motorway is going to be completed during the remaining three months of the tenure of the i

Capital Development Authority (CDA) is mulling to give one-time relaxation of zoning bye-laws to high-rise buildings in the federal capital, sources revealed. The sources in CDA told Business Recorder that CDA has sought exemption from the federal

BankIslami Pakistan & Lootlo.pk - a leading online shopping portal in Pakistan, have signed a strategic alliance, enabling the BankIslami Debit Card holders to avail discounts via internet shopping. The Website www.lootlo.pk is an e-Commerce Business foru

Gold prices bounced off their lows on Friday after the US dollar slipped against most of its peers as slowing wage gains foreshadowed a gradual inflation increase this year. US jobs growth posted its biggest increase in February in more than 1-1/2 years.

Chicago wheat and soyabean futures fell sharply on Friday in a technical sell-off following US government data on Thursday that raised the outlook for end-of-season stockpiles of the crops, traders said.

Gold prices fell on Friday after strong US jobs data increased the likelihood of interest rate rises and as the potential for easing tensions with North Korea sapped safe-haven demand. Data showed US job growth surged in February, recording its biggest in

Gold prices extended losses into a third session on Friday as the dollar strengthened against the yen on hopes of easing tensions between the United States and North Korea and ahead of US non-farm payroll data later in the day. US President Donald Trump s

New York cocoa futures rose to a 16-month high on Friday, extending this week's strong advance, while raw sugar was hovering just above an eight-month low set earlier this week. May New York cocoa was up $17, or 0.7 percent, at $2,510 a tonne at 1447 GMT

The following were Friday's Rotterdam vegetable oil prices at 1700 GMT:

The following were Friday's Rotterdam vegetable oil prices at 1700 GMT:

Benchmark Tokyo rubber futures erased early gains to hit a one-week low on Friday, as the market came under pressure from sharp losses in Shanghai futures. The Tokyo Commodity Exchange rubber contract for August delivery finished 1.9 yen lower at 189.8 ye

Oil prices rose more than 2 percent on Friday, rebounding from two days of declines as Wall Street climbed on strong US jobs data, while investors also grew hopeful that a planned meeting between US President Donald Trump and North Korea's Kim Jong Un cou

Metals recovered after sliding earlier on Friday, lifted by upbeat US wage data that dented the dollar and soothed inflation worries, although gains were capped by ongoing concerns that new US tariffs would stoke a trade war. The dollar fell versus a curr

Shanghai copper fell on Friday to its lowest since late September as investors focused on escalating tensions over US metal imports. Shanghai Futures Exchange copper ended down 2 percent at 51,190 yuan ($8,080.12) a tonne, its lowest close since September

The yield on the US benchmark government bond moved within a range of three basis points on Thursday, continuing a trend of muted fluctuation in the week ahead of Friday's payrolls data. Yields remained range-bound this week amid fears of a trade war, the

Japan's central bank on Friday said it was keeping its ultra-loose monetary policy in place, in keeping with expectations, as the world's third-largest economy struggles to rekindle growth. The Bank of Japan's massive monetary easing programme is a corner

British industrial production rebounded sharply last month on the re-opening of a major North Sea pipeline, official data showed Friday. Output jumped 1.3 percent in January from activity in December, reversing the previous monthly slump that had been spa

US fast-food chain KFC has re-employed its former delivery supplier in Britain after an embarrassing shortage of chicken forced the closure of hundreds of restaurants. KFC announced Thursday that Bidvest Logistics would supply 350, or more than one-third

US job growth surged in February, recording its biggest increase in more than 1-1/2 years, but a slowdown in wage gains pointed to only a gradual increase in inflation this year. Nonfarm payrolls jumped by 313,000 jobs last month, boosted by the largest r

Indian shares erased early gains and closed slightly lower on Friday, dragged down by steel companies such as Tata Steel Ltd as investors kept to the sidelines due to a lack of clarity on the US tariff on steel and aluminium imports. The benchmark BSE ind

Tokyo stocks jumped Friday on news that US President Donald Trump has agreed to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in a historic summit that may ease tensions over the Korean peninsula. The announcement provided extra support to investors already cheeri

The three major US indexes rose 1 percent on Friday, with the Nasdaq touching a record, after strong job additions in February but sluggish wage growth that pointed to a gradual rise in inflation and helped temper expectations of faster rate increases. He

The three major US stock indexes closed higher on Thursday after President Donald Trump appeared to soften his stance on trade tariffs, easing trade war fears that had had the market on edge for a week. Trump announced import tariffs on steel and aluminiu

Hong Kong stocks gained on Friday, as optimism over the new entente between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump offset concerns about China's slower economic growth and the impact of US tariffs.

Australian shares ended slightly higher on Friday as gains across a number of sectors outpaced a decline in materials, allowing the benchmark to end the week higher. Material stocks faced heavy selling pressure after US President Donald Trump pressed ahea

Ryanair has agreed to recognise Italian pilots' trade union ANPAC, the Irish no-frills airline said Thursday, after agreeing a similar deal in Britain. The agreement comes after Ryanair suffered a troubled end to 2017, being forced to cancel 20,000 flight

East Timor signed a treaty with Australia at the United Nations on Tuesday to end a decade-old dispute over their maritime border and potentially unlock billions of dollars in offshore gas revenue. The treaty is expected to provide a major boost to East T

UK shares ended Friday at a one-week high, joining in a broader equity rally following supportive US jobs data which calmed investor nerves over tighter monetary policy. The country's blue chip FTSE benchmark index ended the session 0.3 percent higher at

Most Southeast Asian stock markets ended lower on Friday with Thailand posting its longest losing streak since August 2013, while investors awaited US non-farm payrolls data for cues on the pace of rate hikes in the United States. "Most (Southeast Asian)

China stocks extended gains on Friday to end the week higher, led by start-ups as investors continued to place bets on tech firms seen as the drivers of the country's "new economy", and as investors pondered the impact of US tariffs. For the day, the Shan

The yield on the US benchmark government bond moved within a range of three basis points on Thursday, continuing a trend of muted fluctuation in the week ahead of Friday's payrolls data. Yields remained range-bound this week amid fears of a trade war, the

Sri Lankan shares rose for a second straight session on Friday as foreign investors bought into risky assets with some improvements in the communal violence-hit district of Kandy. Police said on Thursday it had arrested the suspected leader and nine other

India's central bank has asked commercial lenders to provide it with details of all letters of undertaking - a form of credit guarantee at the centre of an alleged $2 billion fraud - issued by them in the past several years, according to four bankers who

A strong jobs report out of the US boosted European shares on Friday after a sluggish start to trading, while US tariffs on steel and aluminium hit steelmakers. It was strong wage growth last month that fanned speculation of faster rate rises in the Unite