News Archives for Print - 2020-01-04

Print - 2020-01-04

PM spells out ways to grow middle class

Performing the groundbreaking of Allama Iqbal Industrial City of Faisalabad being established under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Prime Minister Imran Khan Friday said poverty alleviation is only possible by doing away with the anti-investo

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Stocks

PSX on negative note: BRIndex100 recedes

Pakistan Stock Exchange ended on negative note as the investors opted to book profit on available margins on the last day of the week. BRIndex100 lost 22.04 points or 0.49 percent to close at 4,439.98 points on Friday. During the session, the BRIndex-100

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

ECC to approve amendments to Electric Power Act 1997 on Monday

Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet which is scheduled to meet on Monday will approve amendments in the Regulation and Generation of Transmission and Distribution of Electric Power Act 1997, already agreed with the International Monetary

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Russia halts oil to Belarus, but transit to Europe still flowing

Russia has halted oil supplies to refineries in Belarus, the Belarusian state energy firm said on Friday, amid a new contract dispute that is also threatening large Russian oil deliveries to Western Europe crossing the country.

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Manufacturing industry bound to make supplies to only registered buyers

The entire manufacturing industry of Pakistan is now bound to make supplies to only registered buyers/distributors/dealers from January 2020 to avail input tax adjustment in their monthly sales tax returns in February 2020.

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Amendments to army, navy, air force Acts: Bills sanctioned by NA-Senate body on defence

Joint Standing Committee on Defense of the National Assembly and Senate has approved the Pakistan Army (Amendment) Bill, 2020, the Pakistan Navy (Amendment) Bill, 2020 and the Pakistan Air Force (Amendment) Bill, 2020 separately.

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Pakistan concerned at situation

Pakistan has expressed deep concern over the latest escalation of tension in the Middle East following the United States assassinated top Iranian commander of the Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), saying, "It is also important t

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Pompeo speaks to Bajwa

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday spoke to Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, as part of his outreach to global leaders in the wake of the US air strike in which top Iranian commander of Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Iran vows to avenge US killing of Soleimani

Iran promised vengeance after a US air strike in Baghdad on Friday killed Qassem Soleimani, Tehran's most prominent military commander and the architect of its growing influence in the Middle East. Soleimani, a 62-year-old general who headed the overseas

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Money laundering and terrorist financing: Over half of active NPOs fall under FATF-defined NPOs

National Inherent Risk Assessment (NRA) on Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing has found that over half of the functionally active non-profit organizations (NPOs) in Pakistan fall under the FATF defined NPOs as these are involved in service-type acti

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

'Technical mishap occurred during PM's address'

Spokesperson of Pakistan Television (PTV) said that PTV could not broadcast a portion of the Prime Minister's address to the civil servants held on January 2, 2020 due to a technical glitch occurred in the computer playback system at PTV News which starte

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Kapco clarification

This is with reference to the news article titled "KAPCO disallowed to participate" published in daily Business Recorder dated January 2, 2020.

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Judges appear skeptical of Trump bid to block testimony sought by House

US appeals court judges on Friday appeared skeptical about broad legal arguments made by President Donald Trump's administration in seeking to block former White House Counsel Don McGahn from testifying to a congressional committee as part of the impeachm

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

ML-1 project under CPEC: Government to hire consultant

The government has decided to hire international consultant/firm to scrutinize the financial and technical design of Pakistan Railways' Main Line (ML-1) project, worth around $9.23 billion, under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Mega shopping malls: Commissioners ordered to accelerate POS software installment

Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Friday directed all chief commissioners to accelerate installment of Point of Sale (POS) software at mega shopping malls after serious concerns were shown by Advisor to Prime Minister on Finance Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh.

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Giant new rallies slam Indian government's citizenship law

Tens of thousands of people protested across India on Friday against a citizenship law passed by the Hindu nationalist government that critics say discriminates against Muslims.

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

JUI-F won't support amendments: Fazl

Emir Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) Maulana Fazlur Rehman has said that his party will not support amendments to the Army Act. Addressing a press conference here on Friday after chairing a meeting of central Majlis-e-Amla (central working committee) of

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

JI won't back amendments: Siraj

Emir Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Sirajul Haq has said that his party will not back the government-proposed amendments in the Army Act and take a principled stance on the matter. Haq announced this while talking to the reporters here on Friday. He expressed regre

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

'Such important bills cannot be passed in 24 hours': Nawaz

A day after Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) announced its 'unconditional' support to the proposed amendment to the Pakistan Army Act, party Quaid Nawaz Sharif instructed his parliamentary party 'to be cognizant of the fact that the Parliament should

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

French police shoot dead man near Paris after fatal stabbing

French police shot dead a man near Paris on Friday after he went on the rampage with a knife in a park, killing one person and seriously wounding two more, a French broadcaster reported. The attack happened in the town of Villejuif, about 8 km (5 miles) s

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

SBP adopts three new Shariah Standards of AAOIFI

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has announced adoption of three new Shariah Standards of Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI).

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Letters

Wind power amidst quagmire of misperception

I was just going through BR Research write-up with title: "The Wind Power quagmire" (The Referenced Write-up) published in Daily Business Recorder, dated December 31st, 2019. It's good to see that Renewable Energy is catching the eye of writers and analys

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Articles

Book Review: Blood Over Different Shades of Green

It would be a tremendous understatement to say that Pakistan has had an eventful history, both in the years leading up to 1947 and the years hence; it is almost hard to believe that a nation-state at once so young - as far as nations go, anyways - should

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Articles

The Review

"We have no eternal allies, and we have no perpetual enemies. Our interests are eternal and perpetual, and those interests it is our duty to follow" Lord Palmerston speech, House of Commons, 1 March 1848.

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Articles

Future looks bright

The IMF recently released $452 million second tranche, bringing the total disbursements so far to about $1.45 billion. While doing so, the IMF in its first review of Pakistan's economic performance has acknowledged that the government reforms programme is

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Reduction in terrorism

Slowly but surely Pakistan is making progress in the fight against terrorism. According to a report released by the Centre for Research and Security studies (CRSS), the country witnessed a 31 percent reduction in terrorism-related fatalities during 2019.

Updated 04 Jan, 2020 07:08am

POL products get pricier!

Effective the first of the New Year the government raised petroleum prices by 2.61 rupees per litre, high speed diesel by 2.25 rupees per litre, kerosene oil by 3.2 percent and light diesel oil by 2.5 percent. The standard normal rationale provided by the

Updated 04 Jan, 2020 07:13am

Minister vows to ensure availability of quality medicines

Punjab Health Minister Dr. Yasmin Rashid Friday said that the province of Punjab will see visible improvement in the availability of quality medicines, stocks and supplies with the inclusion of 440 new Pharmacists in the system.

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Senate body approves NPH&DA Bill - 2019

The Senate Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat on Friday approved the Naya Pakistan Housing and Development Authority Bill, 2019. Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Senator Muhammad Azam Khan Swati was mover of the bill. Muhammad Talha Mehmood chair

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Gwadar's connectivity: Railways directed to brief on issues, hiccups & planning

Observing that Gwadar's connectivity with rest of the country through road network as well as railway line is critical, a parliamentary panel directed Pakistan Railways to give a detailed briefing on the current position, issues and hiccups as well as lon

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Presidential ordinances: IHC appoints Makhdoom, Awan , Rabbani and Manto as amici curiae

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday appointed advocates Makhdoom Ali Khan, Babar Awan, Raza Rabbani and Abid Hussain Manto as amici curiae (friends of the court) to assist in a petition against nine ordinances promulgated by the federal government.

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

CIA busted eight major gangs in 2019

The Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) of Islamabad police claimed to have busted eight major gangs comprising 34 members during 2019 and recovered Rs 28.9 million cash, gold ornaments, cell phones, vehicles and weapons from them.

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

US embassy issues security alert

The United States Embassy in Islamabad on Friday issued a countrywide security alert, restricting the travel by US government employees and asked them to postpone non-essential official movements in the wake of a possible reaction of assassination of a to

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Six killed in firing over land dispute in Wana

At least six people were killed and two others injured when two rival groups clashed and started indiscriminate firing over a land dispute in Azam Warsak area of Wana tehsil of South Waziristan tribal district on Friday.

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Senators condemn killing of Soleimani

Senators on Friday condemned the killing of top Iranian General Qassem Soleimani in a drone attack in Iraq, saying the development entails serious repercussions for Pakistan while asking the Foreign Office to take a clear stance on the matter and take the

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Minister defends placing rural and far-flung areas under KWSB

Sindh Minister for Local Government Syed Nasir Hussain Shah has said that while keeping in view the long-standing demand of millions of people of rural and far-flung areas of Karachi they have been placed under the control of Karachi Water & Sewerage Boar

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Red Line groundbreaking on August 14: Murad wants Orange Line be ready within 4 months

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has directed transport department to complete Orange Line project within next four months and get ready for tendering for Red Line for which he wanted to perform groundbreaking ceremony on August 14.

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Taxes

MCC Preventive collects Rs 61.79 billion

Model Customs Collectorate (MCC), Preventive has collected Rs 61.79 billion till the second quarter of current financial year, 2019-20 ended on December 31, 2019.

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Taxes

Road checking campaign: Sindh E&T department recovers Rs 19.094 million

Sindh Excise and Taxation (E&T) department has recovered Rs 19.094 million during its road checking campaign. According to details, during road checking campaign, which will be ended in Karachi on January 12, 2020, the department has checked 25278 vehicle

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

MQM-P criticises appointment of adviser in KWSB

Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) on Friday showed concern over the appointment of advisor in Karachi Water & Sewerage Board (KW&SB) and termed it unconstitutional, illegal and in violation of Civil Servant act.

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

KCCI chief demands reduction in sea port charges

President Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) Agha Shahab Ahmed Khan, while referring to numerous complaints submitted at the Chamber by the importers, urged the Terminal Operators and Shipping Agents to publicize Full Container Load (FCL) and t

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

ZAB's birth anniversary to be held at Aiwan-e-Iqbal on January 5

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Punjab has decided to hold central birth anniversary of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto at Aiwan-e-Iqbal where PPP Punjab President Qamar Zaman Kaira would deliver keynote address.

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Money & Banking

SBP evolves mechanism for payment of service charges subsidy, portfolio loss under PMKJ-YES

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has issued mechanism for payment of service charges subsidy and portfolio loss sharing with banks under Prime Minister's Kamyab Jawan Youth Entrepreneurship Scheme (PMKJ-YES).

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Taxes

Memorandum on the Tax Laws (Second Amendment) Ordinance, 2019

INCOME TAX: TAX ON FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN PAKISTAN'S CAPITAL MARKET

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Punjab to expedite work on Naya Pakistan Housing Project

Punjab Minister for Housing Mian Mehmood-Ur-Rasheed and Chief Secretary Punjab Major Azam Suleman Khan (retd) reviewed progress on acquisition of land, financial matters and provision of basic facilities in schemes in different cities under the Naya Pakis

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

PM to inaugurate 29 model police stations in Mianwali today

Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Shoaib Dastgir disclosed on Friday that Prime Minister Imran Khan will inaugurate 29 model police stations in Mianwali on Saturday (today) that have been upgraded on modern lines to put an end to decades-old "thana

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Passage of Tax Ordinance: Fertiliser industry fears disruption in supply

Fertilizer industry fears disruption in fertilizer supply owing to the recent passage of Tax Ordinance by the federal government which restricts fertilizer companies from claiming input sales tax on retailing of urea to unregistered dealers.

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Frozen assets of Shahbaz family: AC summons NAB's IO on January 17

An accountability court on Friday directed investigating officer of National Accountability Bureau to appear with record on January 17 in an application of PML-N president Shahbaz Sharif challenging frozen of assets owned by his family.

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Nisar Art Press mkt fire: LCCI urges government to compensate affected traders

Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry has expressed grave concern on fire incident in Nisar Art Press Market at Chamberlane Road and urged the government to compensate the affected traders.

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

CCP reviews Uber, Careem pre-merger application

Pakistan is among the remaining three countries which are still looking at the Uber and Careem pre-merger application with the possibility of a conditional approval to be granted to the international merger.

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

PAJCCI agrees on provision of same facilities under APTTA

Pak-Afghan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PAJCCI) have agreed on the provision of the same facilities under Afghanistan Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement (APTTA) that were available to the trading community under Afghan Transit Trade Agreement (AT

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

KP PA demands payment of NHP on AGN Qazi formula basis

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Law Sultan Muhammad Friday informed the provincial assembly that the provincial government always protected interest of the province in meetings of Council of Common Interest (CCI) and it stood firm on the decision that net

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Government urged to simplify export-related regulations, procedures

Acting president of Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), Shahid Hussain while speaking at an awareness seminar on "FX Operations and State Bank Online Portal," jointly organized by the SCCI and the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) at the chamber ho

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Army chief extension case: AGP fails to address concerns of PTI MNA over government's strategy

Attorney General for Pakistan Anwar Mansoor Khan on Friday failed to address the concerns of ruling party MNA Ramesh Kumar over the government's strategy to challenge apex court verdict on army chief extension case and then going for legislation.

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Taxes

FBR revises e-procedure for CPR correction of IT, ST, FED CCs directed to provide reasons in writing for rejecting any application

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Friday directed chief commissioners to provide reasons in writing for rejecting any application for correction in computerized payment receipt (CPR) of income tax, sales tax and federal excise duty (FED) submitted by

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

PI&TAF voices concern over decline in LSMI

The Pakistan Industrial and Traders Associations Front, while showing serious concern over the continued decline in the large-scale manufacturing index (LSMI), has said that a National Industrial Growth Strategy from the government is essential with owner

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Financial modelling, digital marketing: PCJCCI launches move to equip SMEs with skill

Pakistan-China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCJCCI) has launched a move to equip SMEs with the skill of financial modeling and digital marketing.

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Energy

Power sector's receivables soar by over 27 percent in 17 months: Senate told

The power sector's receivables have soared by over 27 percent during the last 17 months to Rs 827.377 billion in November 2019 from Rs 647.030 billion in June 2018.

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

AGP clarification

This is with reference to a news item titled "AGP recovered over 53bn in 18 Months: PAC told" carried by Business Recorder, dated 3rd January 2020.

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Energy

Urea being produced by Thar Block VI to meet 30 years need

Sindh Energy Minister Imtiaz Sheikh on Friday said that Thar Block VI would be producing urea to meet the country's projected urea requirement for the next 30 years. Looking at the potential of Thar Coal and also of renewable energy, minister said Sindh h

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Firdous for training, capacity building of media persons

Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan Friday said the need for training and capacity building of media persons has increased substantially in the current age of digital media.

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Cotton & Textile

Cotton growers and ginners: Ministry accuses government of giving preference to 'mighty' textile sector

Ministry of National Food Security and Research (MNFS&R) on Thursday accused top government decision makers of giving preference to the mighty textile sector over cotton growers and ginners due to which growers have reduced their inputs.

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Commodities

Gold's price grows

Gold price on Friday grew by Rs 1,350 per tola to Rs 89,650 on the local market, traders said. The yellow metal posted an increase of 1,157 per 10 grams to Rs 76,870 and $29 an ounce to $1551 on the world market. Silver was traded for Rs 1,020 per tola, R

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Judicial remand of Hamza extended

An accountability court on Friday extended judicial remand of leader of opposition in Punjab Assembly Hamza Shahbaz in illegal assets/money laundering case by the NAB till January 17. Earlier a prosecutor told the court that reference will be filed soon a

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Articles

Partly Facetious: 'A nation of contrary people'

"We are a nation of contrary people."

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

China confirms more cases of mystery viral pneumonia

China on Friday confirmed more cases of a mystery viral pneumonia that has sparked fears about a resurgence of SARS, the flu-like virus that killed hundreds of people more than a decade ago.

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Biggest bloom: 'world's largest' flower spotted in Indonesia

Indonesian conservationists say they've spotted the biggest specimen ever of what's already been billed as one of the world's largest flowers.

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Coalition 'gambles' on making Austria carbon neutral by 2040

Austria's first coalition between conservatives and Greens announced Thursday that it would aim for carbon neutrality by 2040 to make the country a European "forerunner" in climate protection.

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

China calls for easing UN sanctions on North Korea

A Chinese-Russian resolution aimed at easing international sanctions on North Korea is a "timely" step in the "right direction," China's UN ambassador Zhang Jun said Friday. His comments came only days after Pyongyang, deeply frustrated that those sanctio

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Renewed fire threat sparks exodus to Australian cities

Beleaguered Australian communities braced for yet more catastrophic bushfire conditions expected on Saturday, as Australia's navy evacuated around one thousand people from a southeastern town.

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Four killed in Sri Lanka military plane crash

A Sri Lankan air force plane crashed in a tea-growing mountainous region Friday, killing the four crew on board, a military official said. The Chinese-built Y-12 had taken off from the southern airbase of Wirawila and was heading to Ratmalana, south of Co

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Spate of letter bombs puzzles Dutch police

Dutch police were puzzled Friday by a spate of letter bombs sent to seemingly random targets in three of the Netherlands' main cities as it warned the public to be on the lookout. The latest incident happened early Friday when staff at Amsterdam's Okura h

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Ethiopia adopts new version of much-criticised terrorism law

Ethiopian lawmakers have replaced anti-terrorism legislation that had drawn criticism from rights activists, although Amnesty International said the new version still had the potential to be used against government critics.

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Athens warns Ankara to respect 'red lines'

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has warned Turkey not to cross "red lines" following a controversial maritime jurisdiction accord between Ankara and Libya. "We will not permit any Turkish activities that would infringe upon Greece's sovereign rig

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

South African hostage in Syria returns home after three years

A South African freelance photojournalist kidnapped in Syria returned home on Friday after almost three years in captivity, his family announced. Shiraaz Mohamed was kidnapped on January 10, 2017, while travelling out of the war-torn country into neighbou

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Britain temperature records tumbled in 2019

Britain recorded its highest ever summer and winter temperatures in 2019, ending one of the hottest decades in history, the Met Office said Friday. As much of northern Europe sweltered in a July heatwave, the mercury hit 38.7 Celsius (101 Fahrenheit) in t

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Money & Banking

Yen rises against dollar in Asia

The Japanese yen led other safe-haven assets higher on Friday after US air strikes on Baghdad airport killed a senior Iranian military official, stoking tensions in the Middle East and lifting the price of oil.

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Money & Banking

Safe-haven currencies jump in Europe

Safe-haven currencies such as the Japanese yen jumped to their highest in months on Friday after US air strikes in Iraq killed a senior Iranian military official.

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Money & Banking

Early trade in New York

Investors rushed into safe-haven assets on Friday after US air strikes in Iraq killed a senior Iranian military official, sending the Japanese yen to a two-month high, while the weakest US factory activity in a decade sent the dollar reeling.

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Money & Banking

Dollar recovers from six-month low in NY

The dollar recovered from a six-month low to rise 0.46% on Thursday, the year's first trading day, after a downbeat December that left the index virtually flat at the end of 2019.

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Money & Banking

Rand slips

South Africa's rand was weaker early on Friday, continuing a trend from the previous session, as investors fled risky assets after a US air strike on Baghdad airport killed a top Iranian military commander.

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Money & Banking

Chilean, Mexican pesos hit 2-week lows

The Chilean and Mexican pesos slid to two-week lows against the dollar as investors turned risk averse after a US air strike in Iraq killed a top Iranian commander, causing tensions to flare in the Middle East.

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Money & Banking

Most Asian currencies slip

Most emerging Asian currencies weakened on Friday, with major oil importers taking the biggest hit, as oil prices surged after tensions escalated in the Middle East.

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Money & Banking

Sterling losses snowball as dire data highlights Brexit toll

Sterling extended its losses against the dollar on Friday, testing one-week lows after downbeat data on construction and consumer demand and heightening worries for an economy showing no sign of emerging from Brexit-linked gloom.

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Money & Banking

Aussie, kiwi fade away from highs

The Australian and New Zealand dollars faded further away from five-month highs on Friday as speculators took profits on recent gains, while weeks of wildfire disruptions threatened to weigh on the Australian economy.

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Stocks

China stocks up 5th week

China stocks slipped on Friday, but finished the first week of a new decade higher with a five-week winning streak as Beijing eased monetary policy to shore up the economy even as investors cheered a thaw in Sino-US trade tensions.

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Money & Banking

Indian bonds gain

The Indian central bank's move to widen its third special open market operation (OMO) helped bonds rise on Friday but worries over a likely fiscal slippage and a surge in global crude prices capped the gains.

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Stocks

Indian shares end lower

Indian shares ended lower on Friday after a US air strike in Iraq killed a top Iranian commander, dampening appetite for risky assets and pushing up oil prices on fears of supply disruptions.

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Stocks

Friday's early trade: Wall Street slips on Middle East tensions, weak data

Wall Street fell from a record high on Friday after a US air strike in Iraq ratcheted up tensions in the Middle East, while a bigger-than-expected contraction in the US manufacturing sector again fanned fears of slowing economic growth.

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Stocks

Wall Street starts 2020 with new records on China stimulus, trade hopes

Wall Street's major indexes notched record highs to open the new year on Thursday, as fresh economic stimulus from China added to optimism fuelled by easing trade tensions and an improving global outlook.

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Stocks

Hong Kong stocks reverse gains

Hong Kong stocks reversed gains to end lower on Friday, as investors worried about heightening geopolitical tensions in the Middle East after a US air strike at Baghdad airport killed a top Iranian commander.

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Money & Banking

Treasury yields fall in light trading volume

US Treasury yields fell on Thursday in light post-holiday trading, after longer-dated debt posted its best yearly returns since 2014.

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Money & Banking

Eurozone bond yields tumble

Government bond yields across the euro area fell on Friday after a US air strike killed a top Iranian commander, marking a dramatic escalation in a "shadow war" in the Middle East between Iran and the United States and its allies.

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Stocks

Australian, NZ shares up

Australian shares ended higher on Friday as energy stocks advanced on higher oil prices following a US airstrike in Iraq, with signs of growth in China adding to the gains.

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Stocks

European shares fall on ME tensions

European shares slipped from near record highs on Friday after a US air strike in Iraq that killed a top Iranian commander increased Middle East tensions and spurred moves out of risk assets, while an oil price surge hammered airline stocks.

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Money & Banking

Slovakia to offer 2030 and 2031 bonds

Slovakia will offer two bonds coming due in 2030 and 2031 in auctions on Jan. 20, the country's debt management agency ARDAL said on Friday.

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Stocks

Most Southeast Asian markets trim early gains

Most Southeast Asian stock markets trimmed early gains on Friday as mounting Middle Eastern tensions dented sentiment, while the Philippine index closed 1.3% firmer after investors picked up beaten-down stocks.

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Stocks

Big oil, tobacco firms help FTSE 100 outshine Europe

London's main stock index overturned earlier loses to end higher on Friday as a US air strike in Iraq stoked fears of a disruption in crude supply, supporting shares of oil heavyweights, and as tobacco stocks firmed.

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Energy

Baltic pipeline opens to ease gas dependence on Russia

Stored natural gas has begun flowing to Finland from Latvia through the new Balticconnector pipeline in a bid to ease the region's dependence on Russian gas. "The first quantities of natural gas on the common gas market between Estonia, Latvia and Finland

Published 04 Jan, 2020 12:00am

Ethical veganism is a protected belief: UK judge

A British judge ruled Friday that ethical veganism is a philosophical belief and is protected under anti-discrimination laws.

Published 04 Jan, 2020 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
Karachi Cotton PKR/37.32 KG / Dec 21	17,585
Petrol/Litre / Dec 22	252.10

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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