News Archives for Print - 2020-01-03

Print - 2020-01-03

Ahsan Iqbal discharged from hospital

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Secretary General Ahsan Iqbal was discharged from Lahore's Services Hospital on Thursday.

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Three dead, dozens feared buried in Sukkur building collapse

Three people including a child died while other nine sustained injuries after a three-storey building on Thursday collapsed in Sukkur, where several people were feared buried under the debris, Aaj News reported.

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Quetta receives first snowfall of year, drizzling in parts of Karachi

Some parts of the metropolis received drizzling on Thursday morning adding sting to already severe cold. Quetta and adjoining areas received first snowfall of the New Year adding to already severe winter.

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Indian-occupied Jammu & Kashmir: Pakistan working to optimally utilise all OIC mechanisms: FO

Foreign Office said Thursday that Pakistan is working to optimally utilize all the OIC mechanisms including a special session of OIC Foreign Ministers' session to highlight the worsening human rights and humanitarian situation in Indian-occupied Jammu and

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Stocks

Bullish trend continues on PSX; BRIndex100 maintains bull-run

Bull run continued on Pakistan Stock Exchange on the second consecutive day of the new year on the back of aggressive buying mainly by local investors.

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

China halts British stock link over political tensions

China has temporarily blocked planned cross-border listings between the Shanghai and London stock exchanges because of political tensions with Britain, five sources told Reuters.

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

UAE fund allocates $200m to support projects

The de facto United Arab Emirates ruler, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, instructed the Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development to allocate $200 million to support small and medium economic projects in Pakistan, state news agen

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

SC urged to suspend operation of November 28 order

The Supreme Court has been urged to suspend the operation of its 28th November order regarding extension to incumbent Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa. A three-judge bench, headed by then Chief Justice of Pakistan Asif Saeed Khan Khosa

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Amendments in Army Act; Bill to get parliamentary sanction today

The Pakistan Army (Amendment) Bill, 2020 would be tabled today (Friday) in the National Assembly for passage without being referred to the relevant standing committee of the house to extend the tenure(s) of the Chief of the Army Staff and Chairman Joint C

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Government-Etisalat dispute: We want to go beyond status quo, says Hafeez

Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh chaired an inter-ministerial meeting regarding the issue of 'pending payments' by Etisalat.

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Prosecutor in references against Zardari quits

National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Prosecutor Mudassar Naqvi resigned on Tuesday.

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

NAB actions over procedural mistakes, errors: 'Fear not - I'll protect you,' PM tells bureaucrats

Prime Minister Imran Khan has stated that the government's primary purpose is to ensure wealth creation as it is critical for the repayment of national debt.

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Taiwan's top military chief killed in chopper crash

Taiwan's top military chief was killed in a helicopter crash on Thursday, the defence ministry said, just days before the island goes to polls to elect a new president.

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Gas deficit in Sindh: SSGCL to add 25 mmcfd gas from new field

Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGCL) will add 25 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd) gas from a new field to reduce the prevailing gas deficit in Sindh.

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

PM, Abu Dhabi crown prince discuss economic engagement

Underlining the strategic importance of the Pakistan-UAE special relationship, Prime Minister Imran Khan has stressed the imperative of deeper economic engagement.

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

ETF to be launched on PSX anytime soon

For the first time, Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) is expected to be launched on Pakistan Stock Exchange in next few weeks.

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Non-residents: Tax regime simplified

The federal government has simplified the tax regime for non-residents to encourage investment in long-term debt securities.

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Local supplies of edible oils, vegetable ghee: Tax exemption withdrawn

Tax Laws (Second Amendment) Ordinance 2019 has withdrawn sales tax exemption on local supplies of edible oils and vegetable ghee, including cooking oil made by importers, distributors, wholesalers or retailers.

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Petition against ordinances: IHC urged to direct govt to file report

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has been urged to direct the federal government to file a report on a petition seeking to declare the nine ordinances illegal, unconstitutional and ultra vires of Article 89 of the Constitution.

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Letters

The sooner the better

It is a matter of great satisfaction for teeming millions in Karachi that Green Line bus project is likely to become functional anytime soon. That Karachi, country's largest city, lacks the required public transport network is a fact. Lack of public trans

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Articles

Faster rockets, more warheads: What N. Korea could gain from new weapons development

If North Korea returns to long-range missile launches or other weapons tests in 2020, its military could make valuable technical advances and gain experience alongside whatever political message is sent to Washington.

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Articles

Commercializing Pakistan Railways - I

Pakistan Railways (PR), a State-Owned Enterprise (SOE) under the Ministry of Railways (MoR), which has been working as a natural monopoly has not been able to pay adequate attention to improving its service for consumers - passengers and freight - for the

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Articles

'Unconstitutional' taxation by provinces

The imposition of any kind of legislation that include levy of any tax or duty, cess etc having extraterritorial impact and involving entities operating on trans-provincial levels by any provincial assembly is patently against Article 141 of the Constitut

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

A step forward

According to a press report, a new non-formal education and skill training programme is about to be launched in Punjab and Sindh in partnership with an NGO having extensive experiences in social issues related projects. The World Bank is to provide $2.73

Updated 03 Jan, 2020 11:16am

Raise in Ehsaas Kifalat stipend

Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection Chairperson Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) Dr Sania Nishtar announced that the government has increased quarterly cash grant for 4.3 million beneficiaries of Ehsaas

Updated 03 Jan, 2020 11:16am

Five new polio cases confirmed in KP

The National Institute of Health Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Thursday notified five new cases of polio virus from Tank, D I Khan, Bannu and districts taking the total case count to 88 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and 123 in the country.

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Musharraf didn't abrogate Constitution: Saif

A senator from treasury benches, Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, on Thursday strongly put his weight behind General Pervez Musharraf (retd), saying that "no one is born in Pakistan to hang Pervez Musharraf," while contending that the former dictator did not

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Panel says NA may adopt FGEHA Bill

The National Assembly Standing Committee on Housing and Works on Thursday gave assent that the National Assembly may pass "the Federal Government Employees Housing Authority Bill, 2019," seeking to provide affordable houses to employees of the federal gov

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Fake accounts case: NAB asked to submit report on sugarcane subsidy on January 20

The Accountability Court hearing multibillion rupees fake bank accounts case on Thursday directed National Accountability Bureau to submit progress report of investigations conducted regarding misappropriation in the government subsidy awarded for sugarca

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Judge video scandal: Accused issued notices to appear before court on January 8

The Prevention of Electronic Crimes (cyber crimes) Court on Tuesday issued notices to the accused of the judge video scandal case and directed them to appear before it on January 8.

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Government's inability puts institutions into embarrassing situation: JI

Emir Jamaat-e-Islami Senator Sirajul Haq while criticizing the government has said the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-led federal government's inability has landed the national institutions into an embarrassing situation.

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Firdous for not politicising national matters

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan Thursday said that matters of national interest should be kept away from politics.

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Absence of ministers from NA session draws opposition legislators' ire

The opposition lawmakers in the National Assembly on Thursday strongly protested over absence of ministers from the house and deferment of 41 questions.

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Ease of doing business: Mian Anjum highlights problems of business community

The first meeting of FPCCI Executive Committee of 2020 held on Thursday simultaneously at Federation House Karachi (Head office), Regional Office Lahore and Capital Office Islamabad through video link.

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Indonesia providing zero tariffs for 20 items: envoy

Indonesia providing zero tariff facility to Pakistan under a trade agreement to improve the bilateral trade with Pakistan, said Consul General of Indonesia Totok Prianamto.

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Fake serial numbers of banknotes: SBP rejects rumours

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Thursday said that it has not issued any warning related to fake serial numbers of banknotes.

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Five export-oriented industries: KCCI chief urges government to create enabling environment

"The policymakers will have to create an enabling environment and take steps to upgrade the industry, particularly the five export-oriented industries namely textile, leather, carpet, sports and surgical goods so that our industries could catch up with th

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Taxes

Hafeez asks FBR to forcibly enforce POS registration

Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, Special Advisor to the Prime Minister on Finance, has directed the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to enforce Point of Sale (POS) registration forcibly in the markets across the country.

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Gas blasts claim two lives

Incidents of gas explosions and leakage claimed two lives, while 13 injured amid shivering weather across the country on Wednesday night and Thursday morning. A father and a son died of suffocation in Chowk Azam town of district Layyah in Punjab due to ga

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Expeditious uplift of Faisalabad top of agenda: DC

Expeditious uplift of Faisalabad Division is on top of my agenda and in this connection a progressive strategy has been evolved to resolve administrative as well as development problems on daily basis, said Divisional Commissioner Faisalabad Ishrat Ali.

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

HR&MA received 34,584 complaints in 2019

As many as 34,584 complaints were handled by human rights and minorities affairs (HR&MA) department since January 2019, 31,231 complaints were forwarded to relevant departments.

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Umar for accelerating exploration & development of mineral resources

Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives, Asad Umar has emphasized the need for coordinated efforts to accelerate exploration and development of indigenous mineral resources to reduce huge spending on imported materials.

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Stocks

NBFCs: SECP makes major changes in regulatory framework

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has made major changes in regulatory framework for non-banking finance company (NBFCs) and introduced the definition of "infrastructure finance company (IFC)."

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Candidates term FPSC exam's date sheet 'unfair'

A number of Central Superior Service (CSS) aspiring candidates have termed the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) examination date sheet unfair which may put many students at disadvantage.

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

ZTBL urged to revisit decision about mark-up rate

Secretary General (Federal) of the Businessmen Panel for Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), Ahmad Jawad has said that Zarai Taraqiati Bank Ltd (ZTBL) should revisit its decision about markup rate which currently stands at 18

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Taxes

KPRA issues notice to telecom co for non-payment of STS

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Revenue Authority (KPRA) on Thursday issued suspension of Registration Notice to one of the biggest Telecom Companies of Pakistan for not paying due taxes for the last six months despite collection from their users/customers.

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Economy now heading toward stability, says KP minister

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Information, Shaukat Ali Yousafzai on Thursday said that good effects of tough decision have started emerging and the economy has started moving towards stability.

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

AGP recovered over Rs 53 billion in 18 months: PAC told

The Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP) on the directions of Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has recovered over Rs 53 billion during the last 18 months, said AGP Javaid Jehangir.

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Telecommunication

Telenor Pakistan launches Bizmine

Telenor Pakistan on Thursday launched Bizmine, an analytical framework that enables business leaders to de-clutter crucial information and get essential data insights to take smart decisions. The launch event was held at Telenor Pakistan's Campus, 345, wh

Updated 03 Jan, 2020 05:02pm

Foreign reserves surge to $18 billion mark

The country's total liquid foreign reserves crossed $18 billion mark at the end of the last week supported by bilateral and multilateral inflows. According to State Bank of Pakistan's (SBP) weekly report issued on Thursday, Pakistan's total liquid foreign

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Zia Ul Mustafa made SAFA president

Zia Ul Mustafa, President of the Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Pakistan has been appointed as President of South Asian Federation of Accountants (SAFA) and Prof Mamtaz Uddin Ahmed, Council Member of the Institute of Cost and Management A

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Efforts being made to misuse MQM for breaking government: Wasim

Mayor Karachi Wasim Akhtar on Thursday said his party, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) had been used for making governments in past and now again efforts were on to misuse it for breaking the government. MQM would make decisions in the interest of the city

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Taxes

Foreign investors: FBR revises committee's structure for issuance of advance ruling

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has revised committee structure for issuance of advance ruling to foreign investors. The FBR has issued SRO 07(I)/2019 to propose amendments in the Income Tax Rules, 2002.

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Prices of urea fertilizer may rise by Rs 40kg

The prices of urea fertilizer are expected to be further increased by Rs 40 kg per bag due to government's recent decision which restricts claimability of input sales tax from unregistered dealers through the Tax Laws (Second Amendment) Ordinance 2019.

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Gold price rises

Gold was traded for Rs88300 per tola on Thursday in the local market, up by Rs150, according to traders.

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Hyderabad SITE body chief regrets closure of tech centres

The Chairman Hyderabad SITE Association of Trade and Industry Mazhar-ul-Haq Choudhry has expressed his deep regrets over closure of technical training centres in Hyderabad by Sindh Small Industries Corporation adding that such steps will only enhance unem

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Taxes

Magnetic stripe ATM cards will continue to work: SBP

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has said that existing magnetic stripe ATM cards will continue to work till the issuance of new EMV chip cards. SBP has categorically rejected rumours that the existing ATM cards with magnetic stripe have stopped working s

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Taxes

FBR forms nine-member body to review rules of AEI programme

Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has constituted a nine-member committee to review Authorized Economic Operator (AEI) programme rules.

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Islamia College: SC orders Sindh govt to shift students by Aug 2020

Supreme Court (SC) has ordered Sindh Government to make alternate arrangement by August 2020 to shift the students from Islamia College, Karachi premises to some other place.

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Universities' rising budget deficit perturbs Senate body

The Senate Standing Committee on Science and Technology has expressed strong displeasure over the increasing budget deficit of universities across the country and their difficulties in running day-to-day affairs.

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

'APC on gas shortage under study'

"Sindh has no role in discovering the gas; it is federal government's subject and Sindh still cooperates with Islamabad in this task. Govt must take action against federal minister and authorities in failure of management of gas supply to Sindh."

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Senate's finance body meeting put off

A meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Finance convened on Thursday was postponed because its chairman is abroad and consequently important agenda was not taken up. An official on condition of anonymity stated that as per rule, members of the commi

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

HIV/AIDS: NA panel deplores lack of cooperation among provinces

A National Assembly panel on Thursday expressed grave concerns over lack of coordination among the provinces regarding the efforts and surveys to overcome the HIV/AIDS in the country. The National Assembly Standing Committee on National Health Services, R

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Government saves $250 million with resumption of gas supply to two fertiliser plants

The government's decision to resume gas supply to two closed fertiliser plants resulted in saving of precious foreign exchange amounted to approximately $250 million, besides sufficient urea supply in the domestic market during last year.

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

5th Pakistan Edible Oil Conference on January 11

Pakistan holds a significantly higher ranking on the list of edible oil importing countries (third largest importer of the world), which it shall retain in decades to come due to persistent demographic, agronomic and geographic compulsions. Indeed the sin

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

ATC grants pre-arrest bail to Hassaan Niazi

An anti-terrorism court on Thursday granted afresh pre-arrest bail to prime minister Imran Khan's nephew Hassaan Niazi in case of attack on Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC) by lawyers.

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Domestic cement dispatches grow by 3.54 percent

The cement sector maintained the dispatch pattern of previous six months as the Northern region excelled in domestic dispatches but performed poor in exports. On the other hand, the Southern region over excelled in exports but its performance in the domes

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

High cost of electricity undermines country's industrial growth

High cost of electricity has almost reduced the electricity consumption by the cottage industry by half in last five years, as the usage of B1 connections (meant for cottage industry) has come down to 278 million units in 2018-19 against 578 million units

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Quddus Bizenjo meets Punjab Assembly speaker

Acting Governor Balochistan Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo called on Speaker Punjab Assembly Ch Parvez Elahi at his Gulberg residence, here on Thursday and exchanged views on prevailing political situation in the country, affairs of Balochistan government and m

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Buzdar vows to make Punjab hub of economic activities

Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar on Thursday said that the province of Punjab would be made hub of trade and economic activities in this year and 10 Special Economic Zones (SEZs), to be set up in different areas, would change the destiny of the people.

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Sanaullah appears before NAB in assets beyond means case

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader Rana Sanaullah Thursday appeared before three member investigation team of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in assets beyond means investigation.

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

PMEX signs with Cloudasset to digitise payments

Pakistan Mercantile Exchange (PMEX), country's first and only multi-commodity futures exchange, signed an agreement with Cloudasset on December 16, 2019. Under this agreement, Cloudasset will provide a unified digital transaction service platform to PMEX.

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Farmers voice concern over closure of sugar mills in Punjab

Farmers showing anxiety over the closure of sugar mills in the Punjab province have appealed the Chief Minister Punjab to intervene and calculate the cost of production of sugar being produced by millers and let the sugar price be determined by market for

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Government put the economy in right direction: Sarwar

Punjab Governor Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar said on Thursday that PTI led coalition government has put the country's economy on the right direction. Current account deficit has been reduced to one billion dollar from 20 billion dollar in one year, while bull

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

SEZs to bring industrial revolution

United Business Group (UBG) central chairman Iftikhar Ali Malik on Thursday said that Special Economic Zones (SEZs) under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would bring industrial revolution in Pakistan.

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Articles

Partly Facetious: MQM's hunting days are over?

"It's a happy new year."

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Golootlo, 1LINK sign partnership

1LINK (Pvt) Limited (1LINK) and Decagon Pakistan (Pvt) Limited (Golootlo) have signed an agreement to enable 1QR as a channel to promote account based digital payments through 1IBFT across Pakistan. This shall allow Golootlo customers to avail year-round

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Suzuki revises retail price of automobiles

Pak Suzuki Motor Co Ltd (PSMCL) has revised automobile retail prices from January, 2020.

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

To curb smuggling of currency: CBCM directorate seeks canine, scanners and face detectors

The newly created Directorate of Cross Border Currency Movement (CBCM) of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has sought canine/cash dogs, scanners and face detectors at the entry and exit points of country for currency detection and deterrence at border a

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Brief Recordings

An interview with Kamran Khalili, CEO Al-Shaheer Corporation 'Local demand for red meat to reach Rs1.8 trillion by 2025'

Kamran Khalili is the CEO of Al-Shaheer Corporation Limited, which is in the business of selling red meat in domestic and overseas markets. Earlier, he was a member of the Karachi Stock Exchange for 10 years and has a vast experience in the corporate sect

Updated 12 Nov, 2020 03:27pm

Julian Castro drops out

Julian Castro, an Obama-era cabinet member and the only Hispanic candidate in the US presidential race, ended his 2020 White House bid Thursday after failing to boost his flagging poll numbers in a crowded Democratic field.

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Trump far outpaces Democratic rivals in election fundraising

Donald Trump's re-election team on Thursday revealed that he sits atop a staggering campaign war chest, underlining the scale of the challenge facing the US president's Democratic rivals at the start of an election year.

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

French citizen dead in US custody

A French citizen and native of Angola has died in the custody of US immigration agents, they said on Wednesday, the latest in a number of deaths during a US crackdown on illegal immigrants. A statement from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) identi

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Barcelona bans older, most polluting cars

Barcelona imposed a ban Thursday on older, more polluting vehicles during most of the day in a bid to reduce air pollution in Spain's second largest city. Gasoline-powered cars registered in Spain before 2000, and diesel-powered cars registered before 200

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Hillary Clinton named chancellor of Belfast university

Former US secretary of state and presidential candidate Hillary Clinton was appointed Thursday as the new chancellor of Queen's University Belfast. Clinton will serve for five years in the largely ceremonial role, the Northern Irish institution announced.

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Turkey parliament approves Libya military deployment

Turkey's parliament passed a bill on Thursday approving a military deployment to Libya aimed at shoring up the UN-backed government in Tripoli, at a time of intensifying international tensions over the conflict.

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Firefighter killed in latest New Delhi factory blaze

A fireman battling a blaze at a New Delhi factory was killed Thursday after the building collapsed, officials said, in the third major fire in the Indian capital in less than a month.

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Iraqi protester shot dead as anti-regime rallies continue

An Iraqi activist was shot dead overnight in Baghdad, a police source told AFP on Thursday, as anti-government rallies carried on despite a separate day-long siege of the US embassy.

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

AI beats human breast cancer diagnosis

A computer programme can identify breast cancer from routine scans with greater accuracy than human experts, researchers said in what they hoped could prove a breakthrough in the fight against the global killer. Breast cancer is one of the most common can

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Top Israeli court 'unable to rule' on PM's eligibility to form government

Israel's Supreme Court on Thursday refused to rule on a request by lawyers seeking to prevent indicted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from forming a government after looming elections.

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Poland's Chopin contest ever popular in Asia

A record 500-plus young pianists, nearly half from Asia, applied to take part in the 2020 edition of Poland's prestigious Chopin competition, its organisers said Thursday.

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

US expects more attacks from Iran-backed groups: Esper

The Pentagon warned Thursday that the Iran-backed Kataeb Hezbollah group that stormed the US embassy in Baghdad would carry out more attacks on US facilities - and would regret it.

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Commodities

Vietnam sees thin trade as farmers hold coffee beans

Vietnamese farmers held back from selling coffee beans this week due to low prices, traders said on Thursday, as trade remained sluggish in Asia's top coffee markets due to the holiday season.

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Commodities

PMEX daily trading report

On Tuesday at Pakistan Mercantile Exchange Limited, PMEX Commodity Index closed at 4,429.

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Energy

US natural gas futures fall on mild weather

US natural gas futures fell on Thursday, hovering close to a four-month trough, with weather forecast to stay mild for a couple of weeks and gas production nearing record highs.

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Energy

Asia's naphtha starts 2020 at two-week low

Asia's naphtha crack started the year at a two-week low of $80.43 a tonne on Thursday as weak petrochemical margins dragged.

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Activities of Karachi Port and Port Qasim

The Karachi Port handled 141,931 tonnes of cargo comprising 80,765 tonnes of import cargo and 61,166 tonnes of export cargo including 9,415 loaded and empty containers during the last 24 hours ending at 0700 hours on Thursday.

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Cotton & Textile

Steady trend seen on cotton market

Steady trend was witnessed on the cotton market on Thursday as some needy buyers indulged in fresh deals to replenish their stock, dealers said.

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Commodities

Shanghai steel futures rise after China cenbank easing move

Benchmark Shanghai steel futures rose on the first trading day of 2020 on Thursday after a fresh move by China's central bank to shore up the slowing domestic economy spurred hopes of increased demand for construction and manufacturing material.

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Money & Banking

Turkish lira edges down

The Turkish lira began the year on weaker footing on Thursday after shedding 11% in 2019, a year in which the currency steadied somewhat following a full-blown crisis in 2018.

Published 03 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Previous Day

Forex
World
Commodity

Currency	Rate
USD PKR Interbank Selling / Dec 18	278.55
USD PKR Interbank Buying / Dec 18	278.25
USD to Japanese Yen / Dec 18	153.63
USD to Swiss Franc / Dec 18	0.89
Pound Sterling to USD / Dec 18	1.27
Euro to USD / Dec 18	1.05

Stock	Volume
S&P 500 / Dec 17	6,050.61
Nasdaq / Dec 17	20,109.06
Dow Jones / Dec 17	43,449.90
India Sensex / Dec 18	80,231.76
Tokyo Nikkei / Dec 18	39,081.71
Hang Seng / Dec 18	19,857.31
FTSE 100 / Dec 18	8,222.99
Germany DAX 30 / Dec 18	20,267.35

Item	Value
Gold 10 Grams PKR / Dec 17	241,860
Petrol/Litre / Dec 18	252.10
Crude Oil USD/Barrel / Dec 18	70.43
Karachi Cotton PKR/37.32 KG / Dec 18	17,585
Gold Spot USD/Ounce / Dec 18	2,644.54
Diesel/Litre / Dec 18	255.38

Gainers
Losers
Leaders

Stock	Price
LSE Capital / Dec 18 LSE Capital Limited(LSECL)	6.70 ▲ 1.00 (17.54%)
S.G.Power / Dec 18 S.G. Power Limited(SGPL)	9.17 ▲ 1.00 (12.24%)
Faran Sugar (R) / Dec 18 Faran Sugar Mills Limited (R)(FRSMR)	9.43 ▲ 1.00 (11.86%)
Gulshan Sp. / Dec 18 Gulshan Spinning Mills Limited(GSPM)	4.47 ▲ 0.42 (10.37%)
Aisha Steel Mill / Dec 18 Aisha Steel Mills Limited(ASL)	11.06 ▲ 1.01 (10.05%)
Oilboy Energy / Dec 18 Oilboy Energy Limited(OBOY)	11.50 ▲ 1.05 (10.05%)
Suhail Jute / Dec 18 Suhail Jute Mills Limited(SUHJ)	61.55 ▲ 5.60 (10.01%)
Attock Cement / Dec 18 Attock Cement Pakistan Limited(ACPL)	259.27 ▲ 23.57 (10.00%)
AL-Ghazi Tractors / Dec 18 Al-Ghazi Tractors Limited(AGTL)	564.23 ▲ 51.29 (10.00%)

Stock	Price
National Bank / Dec 18 National Bank of Pakistan(NBP)	66.38 ▼ -7.38 (-10.01%)
First Imrooz Mod. / Dec 18 First Imrooz Modaraba(FIMM)	180.01 ▼ -19.99 (-10.00%)
Imperial Limited / Dec 18 Imperial Limited(IML)	20.16 ▼ -2.24 (-10.00%)
J.A.Textile / Dec 18 J.A. Textile Mills Limited(JATM)	44.37 ▼ -4.93 (-10.00%)
Macter Int. Ltd / Dec 18 Macter International Limited(MACTER)	331.40 ▼ -36.82 (-10.00%)
Mari Petroleum / Dec 18 Mari Petroleum Company Limited(MARI)	728.78 ▼ -80.98 (-10.00%)
Synthetic Prod / Dec 18 Synthetic Products Enterprises Limited(SPEL)	45.89 ▼ -5.10 (-10.00%)
Biafo Ind. / Dec 18 Biafo Industries Limited(BIFO)	198.85 ▼ -22.08 (-9.99%)
Bilal Fibres / Dec 18 Bilal Fibres Limited(BILF)	12.61 ▼ -1.40 (-9.99%)

Stock	Volume
WorldCall Telecom / Dec 18 Worldcall Telecom Limited(WTL)	151,921,663 ▼ -0.15
Pak Elektron / Dec 18 Pak Elektron Limited(PAEL)	107,502,606 ▲ 0.34
Cnergyico PK / Dec 18 Cnergyico PK Limited(CNERGY)	67,234,901 ▼ -0.51
B.O.Punjab / Dec 18 The Bank of Punjab(BOP)	60,136,151 ▲ 0.13
Pak Refinery / Dec 18 Pakistan Refinery Limited(PRL)	55,973,468 ▼ -1.00
K-Electric Ltd. / Dec 18 K-Electric Limited(KEL)	46,669,770 ▼ -0.33
Sui South Gas / Dec 18 Sui Southern Gas Company Limited(SSGC)	42,923,281 ▲ 1.67
PIA Holding Co.Ltd / Dec 18 PIA Holding Company Limited(PIAHCLA)	36,897,118 ▼ -0.46
Aisha Steel Mill / Dec 18 Aisha Steel Mills Limited(ASL)	36,858,206 ▲ 1.01

Markets →

Budget 2024-25: income tax calculator for FY25

Most Popular