News Archives for Print - 2020-03-06

Print - 2020-03-06

Commodities

PASSCO all set to launch wheat procurement drive 2020

The Pakistan Agricultural Storage & Services Corporation (PASSCO) is all set to launch its wheat procurement drive 2020 from Sindh & Balochistan from March 10, 2020, and in Punjab from April 01, 2020, with a target of buying total 1.6 million tons of grai

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Business & Economy

Governor's wife appreciates women's role in economic development

The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) arranged an event regarding International Women's Day 2020 at the FPCCI Regional Office to pay tribute to the achievements of women besides highlighting their needs and concerns.

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Barter trade deal with Iran; Ministry restarts consultative process

Commerce Ministry has restarted consultative process for a barter trade deal with Iran as normal bilateral relations are not possible between the two countries till removal of US sanctions.

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Stocks

PSX stages recovery: BRIndex100 pares losses

Pakistan Stock Exchange Thursday turned bullish on the back of healthy buying, mainly by local investors.

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Urea price reduced to Rs 1,665/bag

The government has reduced urea fertiliser price from Rs2,040 per 50kg bag to Rs1,665 to provide relief to the farmers.

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Anti-Benami directorate general restrained

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has restrained the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR's) Anti-Benami Directorate General from proceeding against the properties acquired before the promulgation of the Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Act, 2017.

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Issues faced by energy, petroleum ministries PM for evolving new human resource strategy

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday directed his team to prepare an 'emergency' programme to address the issues pertaining to the ministries of energy and petroleum in a bid to ensure that the process of reformation of system puts minimum burden on the

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Khamenei asks India to stop attacks on Muslims

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei urged India on Thursday to "confront extremist Hindus" and "stop the massacre of Muslims", adding to the international fallout over deadly Hindu-Muslim violence in New Delhi.

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

US panel hears of risks to Indian Muslims

Experts warned a US government panel on Wednesday that India's Muslims face risks of expulsion or other persecution under a citizenship law that has triggered major protests.

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

EU all set to extend GSP plus status

The European Union (EU) is all set to extend Generalized System of Preferences plus (GSP+) status for Pakistan after completing codal formalities, well informed sources in Commerce Ministry told Business Recorder.

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

HSBC sends over 100 London staff home

HSBC has sent more than 100 of its London staff home after a worker tested positive for the coronavirus, the first known case at a major company in Europe's main financial hub.

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

One more case detected in Karachi

One more case of coronavirus has been diagnosed in the city on Thursday evening, taking the number of cases in Sindh to three.

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

300m students out of school as global virus battle intensifies

Almost 300 million students worldwide faced weeks at home with Italy and India the latest to shut schools over the deadly new coronavirus, as the IMF urged an all-out global offensive against the epidemic.

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Residential buildings collapse in Karachi; 14 killed

At least 14 people, including women and children, were killed while over 30 sustained injuries after three residential buildings collapsed here in Rizvia Society on Thursday.

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Musharraf's case: PBC challenges LHC verdict

The Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) has challenged the Lahore High Court (LHC) judgment against the Special Court death sentence to former army chief General (retd) Pervez Musharraf.

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Supplies to unregistered persons: FBR ready to reduce/abolish 3pc further sales tax

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) is ready to reduce or abolish three percent further sales tax on supplies made to unregistered persons in case the businessmen are willing to get themselves registered with the sales tax department.

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Muneebur Rehman, Popalzai skip meeting on lunar calendar

Mufti Muneebur Rehman and Maulana Popalzai skipped the joint meeting of the Senate and National Assembly's standing committees on religious affairs, which was called in order to come to an agreement on lunar calendar.

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Afghan war crimes probe must go ahead: ICC judges

International war crimes judges ruled on Thursday that a probe into wartime abuses in Afghanistan must go ahead, including looking into possible atrocities committed by US forces, as they overturned a previous court ruling.

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Sheikh Mohammed abducted daughters, threatened ex-wife: UK judge

Dubai's ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum ordered the abduction of two of his daughters and orchestrated a campaign of intimidation against his former wife, a British judge has ruled.

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Report highlights 'mobile gender gap'

In Pakistan, women are 38 percent less likely than men to own a mobile phone and 49 percent less likely to use a mobile internet, says Global System for Mobile Communications (GSMA).

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

UAE advises against travel abroad

The United Arab Emirates is urging its citizens and other residents to avoid travelling abroad because of concerns over the coronavirus outbreak, state news agency WAM said on Thursday.

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

IT products: PCA detects Rs649m tax evasion

The Directorate of Post Clearance Audit (PCA), South has detected massive tax evasion amounting to Rs. 649.54 million in the imports of IT products by nine companies through underinvoicing.

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

POL discovers oil, gas at Pindori-10

Pakistan Oilfields Limited (POL), has successfully tested hydrocarbon at development well Pindori-10.

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Letters

PIA pensioners

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has increased pensions for its retired employees first in 2013 and then in 2019.

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Articles

Dollar's rally sputters as investors eye more Fed cuts

Monetary policy easing in the United States fueled by worries about the economic impact of the coronavirus is endangering the dollar's years-long rally and giving a boost to currencies around the world.

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Articles

Public service reforms - II

Parliaments at the federal and provincial levels should make laws pertaining to the formulation of respective recruitment commissions (indicated in part-I of this series of articles by this writer) so that the needed shape and legitimacy could be obtained

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Articles

Tax base and filers

According to a Press release of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), it received "two million four hundred forty six thousand two hundred and ninety four (2,446,294) Tax Returns for Tax Year 2019 which increased by 45% compared to one million six hundred eight

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Women's demonstration for rights

As March 8, the International Women's Day, draws closer self-appointed custodians of national morality are getting roiled up at the prospect of replay of last year's massive 'Aurat March'. Usual labels of 'vulgarity' and 'obscenity' are being bandied abou

Updated 06 Mar, 2020 06:24am

Change in SBP law

Governor State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Dr Reza Baqir while addressing the members of the English Speaking Union stated that the SBP law is being amended to contain fiscal deficit financing through printing money. While appreciating the salutary objective b

Updated 06 Mar, 2020 06:25am

Financial assistance for children of martyred police officials

Management of Ilma University has decided to provide financial assistance to the children of the martyred officials of Sindh Police.

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

EOBI pensions: SC tells govt to furnish minutes of CCI meeting

The Supreme Court has directed the federal government to furnish the minutes of the meeting of the Council of Common Interests (CCI) on the Employees' Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI) pensions.

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Minister vows to punish culprits involved in building collapse

Sindh Minister for Information, Local Government, Housing & Town Planning, Religious Affairs, Forest and Wildlife Syed Nasir Hussain Shah has said that severe possible action would be taken against anyone who was found to be involved in the tragic inciden

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Quarantine centre to be set up in Quetta

The government on Thursday has decided to establish quarantine rooms for the pilgrims in Quetta's Hazar Ganji area for the prevention of coronavirus outbreak in Pakistan.

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Coronavirus: Misinformation being spread on social media: Ghani

Sindh Education and Labor Minister Saeed Ghani has said that out of 49,000 public schools across the province, 13,000 are closed and moreover there is a shortage of 37,000 teachers in the province, adding that in the past, some schools were built on wrong

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

MQM-P, PML-N pledge to work for resolving people's issues

The largest opposition party Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on Thursday reached out to Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), the ally in federal government and both parties pledged to work for strengthening of democracy and resolution of the is

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Pulses import shrinks by 4 percent

Pakistan imported $311.768 million of pulses during July-Jan 2019-20, down by 4 percent, official figures say.

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Peace will help Afghanistan attract world investments: Motiwala

Chairman of Pakistan Afghanistan Joint Chamber Of Commerce & Industry (PAJCCI), Zubair Motiwala, has said that Afghanistan is a land of untapped opportunities and this reconciliation process would end decades of war and suffering of the Afghan people and

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Business & Economy

PCJCCI to promote Halal food industry thru road shows

The Pakistan China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCJCCI) and Halal Research Council have planned to organize "Nationwide Awareness Road Show on Halal Industry from Khyber to Karachi" for catering to the rising demand for Halal food in the world

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Cotton & Textile

PTEA slams inordinate delay in refunds' payment

Pakistan Textile Exporters Association (PTEA) has expressed grave concern over undue delay in payment of exporters' outstanding refunds as extreme cash flow crunch has seized the industrialization and halted the export growth. FASTER system launched for p

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Business & Economy

BoA okays Rashakai pSEZ's uplift accord under CPEC

The Board of Approvals (BOA) approved the Development Agreement (DA) of Rashakai pSEZ, previously endorsed by the KP Special Economic Zones Authority.

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Rana allowed interim pre-arrest bail by LHC

The Lahore High Court on Wednesday allowed interim pre-arrest bail to Rana Sanaullah Khan in an inquiry of alleged assets beyond means by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Business & Economy

Traders urge govt to take steps for ease of doing business

Business community of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has urged upon the government for taking steps for ease of doing business in the province in general and newly merged districts (NMDs) of the erstwhile FATA in particular.

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Tezgam Express tragedy: Body to re-inquire/revisit FGIR's report, NA body told

A parliamentary panel on Thursday was informed that a committee comprising three Assistant General Managers (AGMs) of the Pakistan Railways had been constituted to re-inquire/revisit the inquiry report of the Federal Government Inspector of Railways (FGIR

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

No coronavirus case reported in Punjab: PM to be briefed about S. Punjab secretariat's budget next week

Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar Thursday said that funds had been allocated in the budget for 'Southern Punjab Secretariat' and Prime Minister Imran Khan will be given a briefing in that regard next week.

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Energy

Mahreen Aziz Khan appointed K-Electric's first female CxO

Mahreen Aziz Khan has joined K-Electric (KE) as the first female CxO since the company's transformation began in 2009. Ms. Khan is part of the KE Leadership as Chief Marketing & Communications Officer (CMCO) and this also makes her the first female CMCO a

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

CCP evolving uniform formula for pricing of essential food items

The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) on Thursday informed the National Price Monitoring Committee (NPMC) that the commission was chalking out a uniform formula for pricing of essential food items to remove price disparity among districts in consul

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Brief Recordings

An interview with Malik Afaq Ahmed Tiwana, CEO Farmers Associates Pakistan (FAP)

Urban bias in policymaking responsible for decline in agri-productivity

Updated 06 Mar, 2020 07:19am

Egypt reopens ancient step pyramid after renovations

Egyptian authorities reopened the 4,700-year-old step pyramid of Djoser to the public on Thursday, after years of renovation.

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Palestinians confirms virus cases, declare two-week tourist ban

The Palestinian government confirmed the first coronavirus cases in the occupied West Bank Thursday and declared a two-week ban on tourists visiting cities and sites including Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity.

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Global Business Economy

Big differences persist after round one of Brexit trade talks

The EU and Britain on Thursday underlined major differences as a first round of trade talks ended in Brussels, with no progress on the most contentious issues.

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

NATO military HQ confirms first coronavirus cases

NATO said Thursday it had confirmed three cases of the novel coronavirus linked to its military headquarters in Belgium - a civilian employee and two family members.

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

'Long list' of countries not doing enough against virus: WHO

The World Health Organization warned Thursday that too many countries were not taking all the steps needed to fight the spread of the deadly new coronavirus.

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Russian planes targeted in wave of bomb threats

Three Russian passenger planes flying domestic routes on Thursday were targeted with anonymous bomb threats while airborne, local media said.

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

French TGV train derails near Strasbourg, 22 hurt

A French high-speed TGV train derailed early Thursday after an embankment collapsed into the tracks in eastern France, seriously injuring the driver and hurting 21 others.

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

India-EU summit postponed due to coronavirus

An India-EU summit scheduled for March 13 in Brussels has been postponed because of the coronavirus, New Delhi said Thursday.

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Cathay Pacific fined by UK watchdog over massive data breach

Hong Kong carrier Cathay Pacific has been fined HK$5 million by Britain's privacy watchdog over a huge data leak of more than nine million customers including passport numbers and credit card details.

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Blast off: space minnow Indonesia eyes celestial success

Workers snap the miniature rocket's wings into place as Indonesia's little-known space agency readies its latest launch on barren scrubland in East Java.

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Warren ends her US presidential campaign

Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, once a frontrunner in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination, ended her campaign on Thursday, setting up a two-man duel between Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders.

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Iraq's virus response halts Iran trade, resorts to online schooling

Iraq has ordered schools to teach pupils online, cancelled Friday prayers and suspended trade with major partner Iran, after confirming its first three deaths from the new coronavirus.

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

City of London revokes honour granted to Suu Kyi

The City of London Corporation on Thursday revoked an honour granted to Aung San Suu Kyi over the treatment of minority Rohinghya Muslims in Myanmar.

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Turkey, Russia agree ceasefire in Syria's Idlib

Turkey and Russia announced a ceasefire in northern Syria on Thursday, agreeing to end weeks of heavy fighting that sparked a humanitarian disaster and raised fears of their armies clashing.

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

PPDWP approves two uplift schemes

The Punjab Provincial Development Working Party approved two development schemes of roads and local government sectors with an estimated cost of Rs. 2,875.055 million here on Thursday. These schemes were approved in the 38th meeting of Provincial Developm

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Corporal punishment in schools: IHC asks govt to take appropriate steps to present bill in NA

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday asked the federal government to take appropriate measures to present the bill on corporal punishment in schools in the National Assembly.

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Taxes

Tax returns reflect 45 percent increase in 2019: FBR

The number of tax returns filed during Tax Year 2019 till February 28, 2020 stood at 2,472,609 against 1,695,560 returns filed in Tax Year 2018, reflecting an increase of 45 percent.

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Qureshi voices grave concern over IHK's continued lockdown

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Thursday chaired a consultative meeting on situation in Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir, which expressed grave concern over the continued lockdown in the held valley for the last 214 days.

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Coronavirus: Over 760,000 foreign travellers screened

More than 760,000 passengers who have arrived in Pakistan from foreign countries in recent weeks have been screened for coronavirus as part of the federal government's strategy to prevent the outbreak of this epidemic in Pakistan, Special Assistant to Pri

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

PMEX daily trading report

On Wednesday at Pakistan Mercantile Exchange Limited, PMEX Commodity Index closed at 4,034. The traded value of Metals, Energy and COTS/FX was recorded at PKR 5.191 billion and the number of lots traded was 9,436.

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Commodities

Tunisia tenders to buy wheat and barley

Tunisia's state grains agency has issued an international tender to purchase about 117,000 tonnes of soft wheat and 50,000 tonnes of animal feed barley, European traders said on Wednesday.

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Commodities

Euronext wheat futures fall in step with Chicago

Euronext wheat futures fell on Wednesday in step with Chicago prices as wheat markets faced renewed technical pressure after a rebound the previous session linked to stimulus measures to counter the impact of a coronavirus outbreak.

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Energy

US natural gas futures edge up on decline in output

US natural gas futures edged up for a third day in a row on Wednesday due to a slight decline in output, despite weather forecasts confirming the previous warmer-than-normal forecast for the next two weeks.

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Business & Economy

Activities of Karachi Port and Port Qasim

The Karachi Port handled 94,649 tonnes of cargo comprising 64,843 tonnes of import cargo and 29,806 tonnes of export cargo including 4,766 loaded and empty containers during the last 24 hours ending at 0700 hours on Thursday.

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Cotton & Textile

Subdued business activity seen on cotton market

Lean business was seen on the cotton market on Thursday owing to lack of buying interest by mills and spinners, dealers said.

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Commodities

Chinese iron ore futures rise on stimulus optimism

Chinese iron ore futures rebounded to close higher for a third straight session on Wednesday on optimism that further policy support will be rolled out to minimize the economic fallout from a global coronavirus outbreak.

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Money & Banking

Dollar retreats in Asia

The dollar struggled to make headway on Thursday, as very low US yields and the prospect of even more monetary easing held back gains, while virus fears supported the safe-haven yen.

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Money & Banking

Dollar struggles in Europe

The US dollar fell on Thursday amid expectations of the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates further, after slashing them by 50 basis points this week in an emergency move to shield the economy from the effects of coronavirus.

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Money & Banking

Early trade in New York: Dollar dips to fresh eight week low

The US dollar slipped to a fresh eight-week low as traders bet the US Federal Reserve will cut interest rates further, after slashing them by 50 basis points this week in an emergency move to shield the economy from the effects of coronavirus.

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Money & Banking

Dollar recovers against currencies basket in New York

The dollar recovered lost ground against a basket of currencies on Wednesday, a day after an emergency interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve knocked the US currency to an eight-week low.

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Money & Banking

Rand falls

South Africa's rand weakened against the dollar on Thursday after the government confirmed the country's first case of coronavirus.

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Money & Banking

Most Asian currencies weaken

Most Asian currencies weakened on Thursday as the dollar recovered, with investors now awaiting clarity on further monetary easing measures and uncertainty around coronavirus to reduce before taking on riskier bets.

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Money & Banking

Sterling gains more ground against dollar, euro

Sterling gained further ground against the US dollar and euro on Thursday, as expectations waned for an immediate Bank of England rate cut to follow this week's emergency move from the US Federal Reserve to contain coronavirus damage.

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Money & Banking

Latam FX weakens

Latin American stocks and currencies weakened on Thursday, with Brazil's real slipping to yet another record low, as the rapid spread of the coronavirus sapped risk appetite and investors worried about the scale of the economic fallout.

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Money & Banking

Brazil real dives the most in 4 months, hits fresh low 4.58 per dollar

Brazil's real slid almost 1.5% on Wednesday, its biggest fall in four months, hitting a new low of 4.58 per dollar and brushing off an announcement form the central bank that it will intervene in the currency swaps market on Thursday as expectations surge

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Other

Artema Medical earn victory in Zameen Polo

Raja Temur Nadeem guided Guard Group/Artema Medical to an impressive 7-5 victory against Olympia/Technimen in the 'Zameen National Open Polo Championship for Quaid-e-Azam Gold Cup 2020' match played here at Lahore Polo Club ground on Thursday.

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Other

Top basketball, cricket tournaments fall victim to virus

A landmark Olympic basketball qualifying tournament in India and a bid to establish top cricket in Nepal have become the latest victims of the coronavirus epidemic in sport.

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Other

Morocco and Nigeria added to highest doping risk list

Morocco and Nigeria were on Thursday added to the list of countries at highest doping risk by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), less than five months from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Cricket

Amla, Sammy meet madrassa students, play cricket

The foreign star cricketers Hashim Amla and Darren Sammy Thursday met with madrassa students, played match and exchanged coaching tips with them.

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Cricket

Mashrafe steps down as Bangladesh ODI captain

Bangladesh pace bowler Mashrafe Mortaza, one of the country's biggest sports stars, stepped down Thursday as captain of the national one-day side, possibly ending his international career.

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Other

At least eight dead as Guinean team minibus crashes

At least eight players and staff of a Guinean second-division team died on Thursday in a minibus crash, a medical source said.

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Other

Qazi Tufail, famous motor glider to perform in KP Games

Qazi Tufail of Peshawar will perform through his self-made Motor Glider in the opening ceremony of the forthcoming KP U-21 Inter-District Games by showing rose petals from a high altitude while holding national flag in one hand as well.

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Other

Kabaddi included in KP U-21 Games

Chairman, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Kabaddi Association, Pir Barkat Ali has welcomed the inclusion of Kabaddi in the forthcoming KP U-21 Games starting on March 7, 2020 (tomorrow) here at Qayyum Sports Complex.

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Cricket

Pakistan ODI against Bangladesh now on April 1

On the request of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has rescheduled the one-off One-Day International to allow its men's national team more time to prepare for the second ICC World Test Championship Test, which commences at

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Cricket

Australia to face India in women's T20 World Cup final

Four-time champions Australia will meet India in the women's Twenty20 World Cup final after rain-marred semi-finals Thursday sparked calls for reserve days to be included in future events.

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Other

Archer extends contract with Sussex

England pace bowler Jofra Archer has signed a two-year contract extension with Sussex, the club announced on Thursday.

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Starbucks bans personal cups

Reusable cups are in vogue for reducing waste but are no longer welcome at Starbucks cafes over fears of the coronavirus, the coffee chain announced.

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Money & Banking

Lebanese prosecutor orders asset freeze for 20 banks

A Lebanese prosecutor Thursday ordered an asset freeze for 20 banks and their board directors, two judicial sources said, in the latest move targeting the crisis-hit country's under-fire banks.

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Global Business Economy

Airlines grim as trade group sees potential $113bn hit from virus

Airlines face a revenue hit of up to $113 billion in 2020 due to coronavirus, a trade group warned Thursday, as more consumers cancel trips due to the outbreak.

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Global Business Economy

US weekly jobless claims fall; labour market weathering coronavirus for now

The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits fell last week, suggesting the labour market was on solid footing despite the coronavirus outbreak, which has stoked financial market fears of a recession and prompted an emergency interest rate cut

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Money & Banking

Sri Lanka leaves rates unchanged

Sri Lanka's central bank left its key interest rates unchanged on Thursday following an unexpected pick-up in retail inflation but maintained its accommodative stance, highlighting the risks from the coronavirus epidemic.

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Global Business Economy

World food prices dip

World food prices slipped in February, ending four months of successive increases, with the spread of coronavirus dampening demand for some products, the United Nations food agency said on Thursday.

Published 06 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Stocks

Thursday's early trade: Wall Street tumbles as virus fears hit California

US stock indexes fell sharply on Thursday as the swift spread of the coronavirus in the United States led California to declare an emergency, while airline stocks were hammered by crippled travel demand.

Published 06 Mar, 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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