News Archives for Print - 2019-12-18

Print - 2019-12-18

Rich nations urged to do 'fair share'

UN chief Antonio Guterres called on countries to take joint responsibility for caring for a surging number of displaced people as he opened a global refugee summit in Geneva Tuesday.

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

Erdogan says world cares more about Syria's oil than its children

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan urged world powers on Tuesday to help it resettle 1 million Syrian refugees very soon, accusing governments of moving more quickly to guard Syria's oil fields than its children.

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

PM says millions of Muslim refugees could flee India

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday forewarned the world community about the possible consequences which might inflict the neighbouring countries, especially Pakistan once the refugees' crises started unfolding itself in the wake of illegal and unilatera

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

Stocks

KSE-100 Index extends gains: BRIndex100 steady

Pakistan Stock Exchange Tuesday ended on a positive note due to healthy buying in various sectors.

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

Pakistan decides to stay away from KL summit

Pakistan has decided to completely withdraw from participating in the Kuala Lumpur (KL) Summit and not downgrade its participation. Talking to leading media owners at the ISI's Margalla Mess, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, in the presence of DG IS

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

Israel approves gas exports to Egypt

Israel has approved the export of gas from its offshore reserves to Egypt, a spokeswoman said Tuesday, with a major reservoir expected to begin operations imminently.

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

July-November FDI jumps 78 percent YoY

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) rose by 78 percent during the first five months of current fiscal year (FY20), supported by massive inflows from Norway and China. According to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), Pakistan attracted FDI amounting to $ 850 mil

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

Outsourcing by FIs: Framework for risk management amended

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has made amendments to Framework for Risk Management in Outsourcing Arrangements by Financial Institutions.

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

Forex loans: Banks delegated powers of registration

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has delegated the power of registration of foreign currency (FCY) loans to banks aimed at facilitating corporate entities for raising FCY loans from abroad and further improve the business environment in the country. Previ

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

Judgement 'unconstitutional': government

The Special Court's verdict against Gen Pervez Musharraf (retd) is void as it was passed without giving proper right of audience to him. Addressing a press conference along with Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Dr Fi

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

Army says Musharraf 'can surely never be a traitor'

Pakistan military on Tuesday put its weight behind its former chief General Pervez Musharraf (retd) and expressed 'anguish' over the Special Court's decision which awarded death sentence to him in the high treason case. "The decision given by the Special

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

Musharraf sentenced to death

A Special Court on Tuesday with 2:1 handed down death sentence to former army chief General Pervez Musharraf (retd) in the high treason case under Article 6 of the Constitution. The appeal against the final judgment of the Special Court will lie before th

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

UNSC to meet on Kashmir at China's request

The United Nations Security Council will meet at China's request on Tuesday to discuss the situation in the disputed Indian territory of Jammu and Kashmir, diplomats said.

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

Warren targets shell companies

US companies would no longer be able to hide behind state laws that allow them to register without disclosing the owner's name under a broad plan to combat global financial corruption unveiled by Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren on Tuesd

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

Ogra recommends 213.7 percent hike in gas prices

The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) has recommended the government to increase prices of gas up to 213.7 percent for domestic consumers to meet the revenue requirement with effect from January 2020.

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

Outcry after Bangladesh editor arrested under new laws

Rights activists on Tuesday condemned the arrest of the editor of a Bangladesh opposition newspaper under harsh new digital security laws that critics say are used to muzzle dissent.

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

Agriculture sector: Pakistan, US discuss exchange of technologies

Ambassador of United States of America Paul W Jones called on Federal Minister for National Food Security & Research Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar here on Tuesday, said a press release issued here.

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

Trade deficit declines 33 percent in five months

The country's trade deficit during first five months of the 2019-20 has recorded a decline of 33 percent as compared to the first five months of the 2018-19, said Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

Appointment of CEC, ECP members: Government, opposition given 10 more days

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) Tuesday granted time of ten more days to the government and opposition to resolve the matter of appointment of chief election commissioner (CEC) and two members of Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

Letters

Protests across India's campuses

Little did the BJP government know that its another highly controversial and anti-Muslim move will backfire in such a violent manner as protests over a new Indian citizenship law based on religion have spread to students campuses in various states. The Na

Updated 18 Dec, 2019 08:07am

Articles

US finalising rules to limit sensitive tech exports to China, others

The Trump administration is finalizing a set of narrow rules to limit exports of sophisticated technology to adversaries like China, a document seen by Reuters shows, in a boon to US industry that feared a much tougher crackdown on sales abroad.

Updated 18 Dec, 2019 08:16am

Articles

Sales Tax refunds: the fiasco unfolding

Since the 1st of July this year, an across the board sales tax of 17% has been imposed on most manufactured items. The exports which are "zero rated" all over the world are supposed to be zero rated in our country also. So the government has announced tha

Updated 18 Dec, 2019 08:02am

Articles

Tackling corruption globally

Corruption is an unavoidable side-effect that a society necessarily suffers from when it practises a no-holds-barred free market economy along with electoral democracy. Civilised societies do succeed, to some extent, in keeping the side-effects to a minim

Updated 18 Dec, 2019 07:54am

COAS extension detailed judgement

The Supreme Court's (SC's) eagerly awaited detailed judgement on the issue of giving an extension to Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa has laid down that there exists a vacuum in law regarding the appointment, tenure, and extension of s

Updated 18 Dec, 2019 07:16am

Reforms in gas and power sector

According to a Business Recorder exclusive, the government has yet to implement power/gas sector reforms and, like its predecessors, is meeting the International Monetary Fund's (IMF's) sector specific conditions of achieving full cost recovery thr

Updated 18 Dec, 2019 06:53am

Business & Economy

Investment in digital businesses: Pakistan formally invites China

Pakistan on Tuesday formally invited China to invest in the country's digital businesses including manufacturing of mobile phone handsets and other digital equipments for promotion and growth of the sector. Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Yao Jing called o

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

IT & Computers

17th International moot on 'Frontiers of Information Technology' begins

A three-day 17th International Conference on 'Frontiers of Information Technology' (FIT-2019), organized by COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI) started on Monday (Dec 16) at COMSTECH Secretariat, Islamabad.

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

Taxes

Textile sector: Cases of fake, flying ST invoices surface in Faisalabad

The cases of fake and flying sales tax invoices invoking billions of rupees have been surfaced in Faisalabad after withdrawal of sales tax zero-rating facility from textile sector from July 1, 2019, sources told Business Recorder.

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

PML-N issues 'white paper' on economy

Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) has released a white paper against the government's economic policies, saying that massive adjustments undertaken by the government under the International Monetary Fund (IMF) program led to suffocation of the economy and ri

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

NA to host regional dialogue today

The National Assembly will host today (Wednesday) a regional dialogue on "Role of Parliaments in Cementing Regional Integration" to focus on exploring the corridors of shared prosperity through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) for Pakistan and

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

Fake accounts, assets beyond mean cases: Faryal, Khursheed get bail

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) Tuesday granted bail to Pakistan People's Party (PPP)'s Leader and former president Asif Ali Zardari's sister Faryal Talpur in a case pertaining to mega money laundering through fake accounts.

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

Death penalty to Musharraf: PML-N hails court's decision

PML-N Secretary Information Marriyum Aurangzeb has said that the court's decision to give death penalty to Pervez Musharraf has written a new chapter in the history of the country. In a statement Marriyum said that with this momentous verdict, the court h

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

PPP accuses Musharraf of assassinating Benazir, Bugti

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has claimed that General Pervez Musharraf (retd) is also involved in the assassinations of Benazir Bhutto, Akbar Bugti, bloodshed on May 12, 2007 and others cases. While talking to media persons here at Liaquat Bagh on Tuesday

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

Money laundering case: Judicial remand of Faryal Talpur, others extended till January 7

The Accountability Court hearing multibillion rupees fake bank accounts case on Tuesday extended judicial remand of MPA Faryal Talpur and others till January 7 in the mega money laundering case.

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

Bilawal to address public rally today

Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto would address a public rally in the city on Wednesday (today). He will address a mammoth public rally at Raiwind Road, being arranged by a ticket holder of the party Rana Jamil Manj.

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

APML to file appeal against court's verdict

The All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) of Pervez Musharraf on Tuesday announced that an appeal will be filed against the Special Court's decision to hand former military ruler a death sentence in the high treason case against him.

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

Business & Economy

FPCCI chief hails PM's visit to Bahrain

President of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), Engr Daroo Khan Achakzai has said that Bahrain is an ideal gateway to GCC; and should help Pakistan in signing of FTA with GCC whereon Pakistan is working.

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

Business & Economy

GSK chief reviews company's supply chain network in Karachi

Regis Simard, President, GSK Pharmaceutical Supply Chain (PSC), and member of the Corporate Executive Team, recently visited Pakistan to review Company's supply chain network. The purpose of his visit was to review the 3 manufacturing facilities located i

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

PDP chief for introducing drastic reforms in police

Chairman of Pasban Democratic Party (PDP) Altaf Shakoor has demanded to introduce drastic reforms in police to stop growing politicizing in this crucial department. He said politicization of police is a cruse in our country and also a main hurdle in a bet

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

Business & Economy

Pakistan likely to reap benefits of structural, economic reforms: analysts

Pakistan is likely to reap the benefits of structural and economic reforms, which has been a long drawn process, analysts said The government has coupled the economic policy decision making with a strong foreign policy, they added.

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

Business & Economy

ICI Pakistan strengthens its partnership with AstraZeneca

ICI Pakistan Limited and AstraZeneca UK Limited confirmed the renewal of their longstanding relationship in the cardiovascular and oncology segment. ICI Pakistan is a longstanding distributor of AstraZeneca's high quality life-saving medicines. AstraZenec

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

Death sentence to Musharraf: MQM-P deplores court's decision

Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, convener Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM-P) on Tuesday deplored the decision of special court to award death penalty to former President Gen Pervez Musharraf (retd) in high treason case. In a statement, he raised the questions on

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

Other leaders of PPP will also be released soon, hopes Ghani

Sindh Minister for Information, Archives and Labour Saeed Ghani while commenting on Faryal Talpur's bail said that after former President Asif Ali Zardari's, bail the release of Faryal Talpur was welcoming. The Provincial Minister hoped that other leaders

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

Anti-polio drive starts in Tharparkar

Deputy Commissioner Tharparkar Dr Shahzad Tahir Thaheem visited the refugee houses which are temporary settled near Mithi City to review the national campaign of anti-polio near entrance of Mithi and sought information from the health staff. On this occas

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

Three 'blanket octopus' found in Pakistani waters

In a rare occurrence, fishermen found three 'blanket octopus' species in different areas of the country's waters this week, the WWF-Pakistan said Tuesday.

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

Lawyers, doctors join hands to dispel impression of rift

Lawyers and doctors here on Saturday joined hands to dispel the impression of any rift in the two professions and vowed to work together for the betterment of the society. The lawyers from the Sindh High Court Bar Association (SHCBA), Karachi Bar Associat

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

Taxes

Sindh E&T department directs to speed up recovery of professional tax

Sindh Excise and Taxation (E&T) department is chalking out strategies to boost up the recovery of professional tax in order to achieve assigned targets for financial year 2019-20.

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

HEC hires 10 consultants on high salaries against rules

Defying the austerity measures of Prime Minister Imran Khan, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan has hired 10 consultants on higher salaries, reliable sources told Business Recorder on Tuesday.

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

Stocks

SECP signs MoU with five varsities

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) with five leading universities to promote financial literacy among youths. SECP's Commissioner Investor Education Department, Shaukat Hussain inked the MoU

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

Business & Economy

EDB CEO's appointment notification issued

Ministry of Industries and Production (MoI&P) on Tuesday issued notification for the newly appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Engineering Development Board (EDB).

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

DG Khan Safe City Project: 11 pre-qualification applications received

The Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA) said on Tuesday to have received 11 pre-qualification applications for the construction of Safe City project in Dera Ghazi Khan.

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

PTC awarded 'Top Employer certification 2020'

Pakistan Tobacco Company Limited (PTC) has been awarded the Top Employer certification 2020 by the Top Employers Institute for excellence in employee conditions.

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

Taxes

Islamabad-Peshawar and Islamabad-Lahore motorways: Toll tax charges to increase by three times

The toll rates at Islamabad-Peshawar and Islamabad-Lahore motorways would see three to four times increase in the coming years compared to the rates that were in effect over 15 to 20 years ago while the National Highway Authority (NHA) needs Rs 92 billion

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

Energy

Energy crisis: 'China will keep supporting Pakistan'

A British Columbia University professor said on Tuesday that China would continue supporting Pakistan in resolving energy crisis and would introduce technology-based power plants. He was addressing a seminar in the University of Punjab ob Pak-China relati

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

Telecommunication

PTA blocks total of 933,775 objectionable URLs so far

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has blocked a total of 933,775 uniform resource locators (URLs) so far carrying objectionable/pornographic images, texts and videos in the country.

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

Energy

Centre allocates over Rs 7 billion for power infrastructure in ex-Fata districts

The government has prioritized uplift of electricity infrastructure in the merged districts of former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) and has allocated record Rs 7.254 billion for electricity installations' rehabilitation, reconstruction, new g

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

Districts & tehsil level: Punjab to set up week-long model bazaars

Punjab government has decided to establish more model bazaars and agriculture fair price shops at districts and tehsil level which will remain open for the whole week.

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

Business & Economy

PDWP approves four uplift schemes

The Punjab Provincial Development Working Party approved four development schemes of various sectors with an estimated cost of Rs3.803 billion.

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

Pakistan can move forward in IT with Chinese support: minister

Punjab Higher Education Minister Raja Yasir Hamayun Sarfaraz said on Tuesday that Pakistan can learn from the Chinese advancement in technology. Pakistan can move forward in Information Technology with the support of China.

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

Draft of Local Bodies Bill: Punjab governor for removing anomalies

Session of Punjab Assembly will be convened very soon to rectify the anomalies in the draft of Local Bodies (LB) Bill so that these institutions could start working at grass root level for the mitigation of people's problems, said Governor Punjab Chaudhry

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

Business & Economy

PHATA's capacity building plan devised: minister

Housing and Urban Development Minister Mian Mehmood-ur-Rasheed has said that a comprehensive programme of improving the organizational capacity of Punjab Housing and Town Planning Agency (PHATA) has been devised to speedily complete the Naya Pakistan Hous

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

ATC awards death sentence to rapist-cum-killer

An anti-terrorism court on Tuesday handed down death sentence in one of the cases on three counts to Sohail Shahzad, rapist-cum-killer, of several minor boys of Chunian.

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

Hamza moves LHC for bail in sugar mill's case

Leader of Opposition in the Punjab Assembly Hamza Shahbaz on Tuesday approached the Lahore High Court for bail in Ramazan Sugar Mills reference.

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

Business & Economy

LCCI demands immediate release of refunds

The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has urged the government to immediately release the refunds up to Rs50 million rupees besides clearing the refunds backlog within two months upon filing of the returns.

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

Punjab CM vows to facilitate farmers

The Punjab chief minister Sardar Usman Buzdar Tuesday said the PTI government has fulfilled the long-standing demand of farmers by increasing the support-prices of sugarcane and wheat after many years. "More than 100-percent increase has been made in the

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

Cotton & Textile

APTMA seeks 5-year policy for textiles, clothing

All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) Punjab Senior Vice Chairman Abdul Rahim Nasir has urged the government to provide five-year policy for textiles and clothing to attract long term investment. He was speaking to a delegation of Trade & Develop

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

JI chief lauds special court's ruling in Musharraf case

Chief of Jamaat-e-Islami Senator Sirajul Haq has said the special court ruling in Parvez Musharraf high treason case will ensure the supremacy of the constitution and strengthen the democracy in Pakistan. "Indeed it is great decision in 72 years history o

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

Articles

Partly Facetious: SRB challenging SBP data

"Welcome to the Naya (new) Pakistan."

Updated 18 Dec, 2019 07:51am

Business & Economy

Rs 30 billion allocated for tourism, culture, sports & youth affairs: minister

Senior Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Mohammad Atif Khan has said that the provincial government has approved projects worth Rs 30 billion for initiation of development schemes tourism, culture, sports and youth affairs sectors in the merged districts.

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

Energy

SSGC's meters' manufacturing plant to be made functional

The government has decided to make gas meters manufacturing plant of Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGCL) functional by binding the Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) to procure gas meters from it. The SNGPL installs around 3 million imported

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

'Democracy is the best revenge': Sindh speaker's remarks draw mixed reaction

Sindh Assembly speaker Agha Siraj Durrani on Tuesday hailed the release of PPP leaders PPP's co-chairman, Asif Ali Zardari, Faryal Talpur and Khursheed Shah on bail, saying "democracy is the best revenge". However, the speaker's remarks resulted into pand

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

TSML seeks more concessions to revive project

M/s Tuwairqi Steel Mills Limited (TSML) has reportedly sought additional concessions from the government to revive the project over and above the concessions sought in 2014, reliable sources told Business Recorder.

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

Money & Banking

AIIB to scale up uplift projects' finances: Hammad

Federal Minister of Economic Affairs Division (EAD) Hammad Azhar on Tuesday emphasized that Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) further scale up its financing for development projects in Pakistan. The minister for Economic Affairs acknowledged AII

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

'PM to inaugurate agriculture emergency projects next month'

KP Minister for Agriculture and Livestock, Mohibullah Khan has said that Prime Minister Imran Khan would inaugurate mega projects in agriculture and livestock sectors next month in D.I Khan. The projects have been initiated under the Prime Minister Agricu

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

Stocks

Sugar mill case: Political, economic trends cannot be considered as 'rare circumstances', rules SECP

An Appellate Bench of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has ruled that the political and economic trends cannot be considered as "rare circumstances"- an essential condition for reclassification of investment by any company or in c

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

Brief Recordings

Nestle Pakistan Limited

Nestle Pakistan Limited (PSX: NESTLE) is a subsidiary of Nestle S.A based in Vevey, Switzerland and is the leading company in Pakistan in the food and beverages category. They operate in various segments such as dairy, juices, drinks, nectars, coffee, bre

Updated 18 Dec, 2019 10:42am

Thousands sign Hiroshima petition to save A-bomb buildings

Thousands of people have signed an online petition against the planned demolition of two early 20th-century buildings that remained intact after the atomic bombing of Hiroshima devastated the Japanese city.

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

Instagram expands fact-checking globally

Instagram on Monday announced it had gone global in its fight against misinformation, expanding its third-party fact-checking network around the world. The Facebook-owned social platform launched a fact-checking program in the US early this year.

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

Finger-wagging Muslim women become Indian protest symbols

A group of Muslim women who formed a barricade around a male student being attacked by baton-swinging police have become symbols of the protests currently gripping India.

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

French crowds march as government stands firm on pension reform

Tens of thousands of protesters hit French streets on Tuesday in a pensions reform standoff that has sparked nearly two weeks of crippling transport strikes, with the government vowing it will not give in to union demands to drop the overhaul.

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

49 journalists murdered in 2019

Forty-nine journalists were killed across the world in 2019, Reporters Without Borders said Tuesday, the lowest death toll in 16 years. The "historically low" number mostly died covering conflicts in Yemen, Syria and Afghanistan, the Paris-based watchdog

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

Bangladeshi court orders three-day detention of editor Abul Asad

Bangladeshi authorities should immediately release editor Abul Asad and must protect news outlets so they can report freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said on Monday.

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

Kuwait forms new cabinet after corruption allegations

Kuwait's new prime minister unveiled his cabinet on Tuesday, changing key ministers after accusations of corruption and infighting forced the previous government to resign.

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

Trump popularity edges up during impeachment

Strong economic figures have helped US President Donald Trump to his highest approval ratings ever, despite impeachment, a new poll found Monday.

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

14 miners dead after southwest China mine blast

Fourteen miners were killed Tuesday in a coal and gas blast at a mine in southwest China, leaving two people still trapped underground, authorities said. The accident in the early hours of Tuesday is the latest in a series of mining incidents in China, wh

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

Seoul appoints 'Mr Smile' as prime minister

South Korean President Moon Jae-in appointed an anodyne former parliamentary speaker known as "Mr Smile" as prime minister Tuesday, after a previous cabinet appointment triggered a corruption scandal and mass protests.

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

China, Russia press UN to ease North Korea sanctions

China on Tuesday urged the UN Security Council to unanimously back its joint proposal with Russia to ease sanctions on North Korea, warning that dialogue to resolve nuclear tensions must not regress. The nuclear-armed North has issued increasingly striden

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

Esper wants to cut US troops 'with or without' Afghan peace deal

Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Monday he wants to reduce the number of US troops in Afghanistan "with or without" a peace agreement in order to give higher priority to strategic competition with China.

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

Second China aircraft carrier enters service

China's second aircraft carrier entered service on Tuesday, adding major firepower to its military ambitions as it faces tensions with self-ruled Taiwan as well as the US and regional neighbours around the disputed South China Sea.

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

Stocks

Qatar biggest gainer as major Gulf markets rise

Saudi Arabia's stock market closed on a positive note on Tuesday, supported by gains in financial shares, while Qatar was up a day after the country announced its biggest budget in five years. The Saudi benchmark index was up 0.7%. But Al Rajhi Bank lost

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

Stocks

Japan stocks hit over 1-year peak

Japanese stocks rose to their highest level in more than a year on Tuesday, tracking Wall Street's run to a record closing high on renewed optimism over the US-China interim trade deal.

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

Stocks

Tuesday's early trade: stocks near record levels

US stocks were near record levels on Tuesday, following four straight sessions of gains, as investor confidence in the US economy was reinforced following upbeat housing and manufacturing data. The S&P 500 touched a record high for the fourth straight ses

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

Stocks

Wall Street sets records anew on trade deal boost

Wall Street stocks notched record closing highs on Monday as cooling trade tensions between Washington and Beijing and upbeat economic data from China boosted investor sentiment. The Dow surpassed its November closing high, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq ma

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

Stocks

Indian shares climb

Indian shares closed at record highs on Tuesday, led by gains in metal stocks as optimism over an initial Sino-US trade pact boosted investor sentiment. The NSE Nifty 50 Index settled 0.92% higher at 12,165, while the S&P BSE Sensex index closed up 1.01%

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

Money & Banking

Treasury yields rise as trade deal eases tensions

US Treasury yields rose on Monday as traders took an optimistic view of a preliminary US-China trade deal and drove stocks to new highs. The benchmark 10-year yield was 6.6 basis points higher at 1.8871% in afternoon trading, reflecting greater investor a

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

Stocks

Hong Kong stocks hit 5-week high

Hong Kong stocks hit a five-week closing high on Tuesday, buoyed by optimism over the Sino-US interim trade deal and Wall Street's rally to record highs. Hong Kong's benchmark Hang Seng Index closed up 1.2% at 27,843.71 points. The China Enterprises Index

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

Stocks

Australian shares flat, New Zealand up

Australian shares closed nearly flat on Tuesday as gains in material and energy stocks were offset by losses in gold stocks and a scrutiny-ridden financial sector. The S&P/ASX 200 index closed 0.04% down at 6,847.30 after recording its best gain in seven

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

Stocks

China's blue-chip index closes at 8-month high

China stocks extended gains into a third session on Tuesday, with the blue-chip index posting an eight-month closing high, boosted by an interim China-US trade deal which helped temper a key external risk to its financial markets. The blue-chip CSI300 ind

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

Stocks

European shares snap four-day rally on Unilever warning, hard Brexit fears

European shares bucked a four day winning streak on Tuesday, weighed by Unilever after a sales warning, while fears that Britain will take a hard line on the Brexit transition kept investors on edge. The pan-European stocks index pulled back from record h

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

Stocks

Tel Aviv Stock Exchange seeks to broaden appeal

The Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE) said on Tuesday it is considering a new plan to try to enhance liquidity and improve transparency to try to attract more ordinary investors.

Published 18 Dec, 2019 12:00am

Previous Day

Forex
World
Commodity

Currency	Rate
USD PKR Interbank Selling / Dec 20	278.48
USD PKR Interbank Buying / Dec 20	278.28
USD to Japanese Yen / Dec 20	156.31
USD to Swiss Franc / Dec 20	0.89
Pound Sterling to USD / Dec 20	1.26
Euro to USD / Dec 20	1.04

Stock	Volume
S&P 500 / Dec 20	5,930.85
India Sensex / Dec 20	78,041.59
Tokyo Nikkei / Dec 20	38,701.90
Nasdaq / Dec 20	19,572.60
Hang Seng / Dec 20	19,720.70
FTSE 100 / Dec 20	8,084.36
Dow Jones / Dec 20	42,840.26
Germany DAX 30 / Dec 20	19,884.75

Item	Value
Crude Oil USD/Barrel / Dec 20	69.46
Gold 10 Grams PKR / Dec 20	234,311
Gold Spot USD/Ounce / Dec 20	2,622.91
Cotton US¢/pound / Dec 20	68.06
Petrol/Litre / Dec 21	252.10
Karachi Cotton PKR/37.32 KG / Dec 21	17,585

Gainers
Losers
Leaders

Stock	Price
Media Times Ltd / Dec 20 Media Times Limited(MDTL)	2.37 ▲ 0.37 (18.50%)
Pace (Pak) Ltd. / Dec 20 Pace (Pakistan) Limited(PACE)	7.23 ▲ 1.00 (16.05%)
Ist.Capital Sec / Dec 20 First Capital Securities Corporation(FCSC)	2.12 ▲ 0.26 (13.98%)
Khalid Siraj / Dec 20 Khalid Siraj Textile Mills Limited(KSTM)	9.60 ▲ 0.97 (11.24%)
Aruj Industries / Dec 20 Aruj Industries Limited(ARUJ)	9.90 ▲ 0.98 (10.99%)
Escorts Bank / Dec 20 Escorts Investment Bank Limited(ESBL)	4.79 ▲ 0.47 (10.88%)
Cresent Jute / Dec 20 Crescent Jute Products Limited(CJPL)	4.20 ▲ 0.40 (10.53%)
S.G.Power / Dec 20 S.G. Power Limited(SGPL)	11.19 ▲ 1.02 (10.03%)
P.T.C.L. / Dec 20 Pakistan Telecommunication Company Ltd(PTC)	25.80 ▲ 2.35 (10.02%)

Stock	Price
LSE Financial Serv. / Dec 20 LSE Financial Services Limited(LSEFSL)	16.25 ▼ -1.81 (-10.02%)
Dar-es-Salaam / Dec 20 Dar-es-Salaam Textile Mills Limited(DSML)	41.93 ▼ -4.66 (-10.00%)
Maqbool Tex. / Dec 20 Maqbool Textile Mills Limited(MQTM)	31.05 ▼ -3.45 (-10.00%)
Reliance Cotton / Dec 20 Reliance Cotton Spinning Mills Limited(RCML)	621 ▼ -69.00 (-10.00%)
Sanghar Sugar / Dec 20 Sanghar Sugar Mills Limited(SANSM)	27.72 ▼ -3.08 (-10.00%)
Olympia Mills / Dec 20 Olympia Mills Limited(OML)	34.58 ▼ -3.84 (-9.99%)
Nagina Cot. / Dec 20 Nagina Cotton Mills Limited(NAGC)	48.92 ▼ -5.41 (-9.96%)
Oilboy Energy / Dec 20 Oilboy Energy Limited(OBOY)	11.39 ▼ -1.26 (-9.96%)
Arpak Int. / Dec 20 Arpak International Investments Ltd.(ARPAK)	65.22 ▼ -7.19 (-9.93%)

Stock	Volume
WorldCall Telecom / Dec 20 Worldcall Telecom Limited(WTL)	177,645,248 ▲ 0.10
K-Electric Ltd. / Dec 20 K-Electric Limited(KEL)	81,901,542 ▲ 0.16
Cnergyico PK / Dec 20 Cnergyico PK Limited(CNERGY)	68,345,098 ▲ 0.12
Pak Elektron / Dec 20 Pak Elektron Limited(PAEL)	57,974,101 ▲ 1.47
Pak Refinery / Dec 20 Pakistan Refinery Limited(PRL)	45,251,944 ▲ 0.40
Pace (Pak) Ltd. / Dec 20 Pace (Pakistan) Limited(PACE)	43,240,462 ▲ 1.00
Sui South Gas / Dec 20 Sui Southern Gas Company Limited(SSGC)	40,539,001 ▼ -0.74
B.O.Punjab / Dec 20 The Bank of Punjab(BOP)	35,598,669 ▲ 0.24
Symmetry Group / Dec 20 Symmetry Group Limited(SYM)	34,869,613 ▼ -0.72

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