News Archives for Print - 2020-03-15

Print - 2020-03-15

Kifalat programme: 70,000 new beneficiaries included in 15 districts

The government has informed the National Assembly that after the removal of the names of over 800,000 fake beneficiaries from the list of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), some 4.4 million new names will be added to the social safety net.

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Two boys reunited with their families

Islamabad Khanna police on Saturday recovered two boys who went missing from the area of Khanna and reunited them with their families, a police spokesman said. He said that Naveed Ahmed resident of Khanna lodged the report with Khanna police station that

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Journalist Aziz Memon's body to be exhumed today

The body of journalist Aziz Memon will be exhumed today for his second post-mortem examination to ascertain the actual cause of his death. A three-member medical panel led by the medical superintendent of the PMC Hospital Nawabshah has been notified for t

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

PML-N lacks unanimous narrative: Firdous

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan Saturday said the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz lacked a unanimous narrative as its own members had been demanding the return of its leader Shahbaz Sharif from ab

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

US extends travel ban to UK, Ireland starting Tuesday

Vice President Mike Pence announced Saturday that a travel ban imposed on European nations over the coronavirus pandemic would be extended to the United Kingdom and Ireland starting at 0400 GMT Tuesday. "Americans in the UK or Ireland can come home. Legal

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Google building self-check website for coronavirus

US President Donald Trump announced Friday that internet giant Alphabet is creating a website where people will be able to check whether they have symptoms of the novel coronavirus. Verily Life Sciences, once a project in a Google X lab devoted to "moonsh

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Countries bolster virus defences as infections cross 150,000

Governments around the world on Saturday shut more borders, as US President Donald Trump said he had taken a coronavirus test and the number of global cases crossed 150,000. France meanwhile ordered the closure of restaurants, bars, cinemas and nightclubs

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Sindh shuts shrines, marriage halls and cinemas

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah Saturday directed closure of all the shrines, marriage lawns and cinema halls. Murad further ordered that educational process in Madressahs, training institutes, gyms, swimming pools, and Urs celebrations would als

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Iqama holders: CAA seeks Saudis' approval to allow flight operations

Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has sought Saudi authorities' approval to allow Pakistani and Saudi Arabian airlines operators to continue flight operations up to Wednesday March 25 to transport passengers to their destinations. Pakistan previousl

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

More coronavirus cases emerge, tally jumps to 31

More persons have tested positive for novel coronavirus (COVID-19), authorities confirmed on Saturday. As per details, the first was reported from Islamabad, while the second case detected in Sindh. According to Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIM

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Execution of action plan reviewed: Government describes coronavirus as national challenge

The National Coordination Committee on Coronavirus, constituted by the National Security Committee, held its first meeting Saturday and reviewed the measures to ensure implementation on the National Action Plan to prevent spread of COVID-19.

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Afghan government delays Taliban prisoner release plan

The Afghan government has postponed its plan to release Taliban prisoners, a senior official said Saturday, throwing a precarious peace process between the insurgents and Kabul into deeper crisis. President Ashraf Ghani earlier this week announced that th

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Pre-arrest bail remedy cannot be invoked in all criminal cases: SC

The Supreme Court has held that the grant of bail to an accused required in a cognizable and non-bailable offence prior to arrest is an extraordinary judicial intervention in an ongoing or imminent investigative process.

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Task force identifies impediments to export growth

The Commerce Ministry's "Make in Pakistan Task Force," the author of new five-year Strategic Trade Policy Framework (STPF), has asserted that the government's financial constraints and delay in payment of refunds are the main impediments to growth of expo

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Anti-dumping duty will remain intact: PHC

The anti-dumping duty imposed by the National Tariff Commission on the import of tinplate will remain intact, according to the latest order of the Peshawar High Court (PHC). The PHC, which had previously granted stay order against the imposition of anti-d

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Dr Mubashir Hassan passes away

The old Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) stalwart and veteran politician and former federal finance minister Dr Mubashir Hassan, passed away on Saturday. He was 98 and had been unwell and under treatment for the past three days. He is survived by his wife Dr

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Spain imposes near total lockdown to fight virus

Spain on Saturday banned people from leaving home except to go to work or buy essential supplies, in a bid to slow the spread of coronavirus. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced the restrictions on movement following a huge spike in the number of cases

Updated 15 Mar, 2020 04:46am

Syria death toll 384,000 after nine years of war: monitor

At least 384,000 people have died in Syria, including more than 116,000 civilians, since the war began in March 2011, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Saturday. Sparked by deadly repression of peaceful pro-democracy protests, the conflict h

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Interest rate may be slashed by 200bps: Haroon

Haroon Akhtar Khan, former special assistant to prime minister on revenue has said that some people in the current setup like to see him appointed as chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) instead of SAPM, which was not acceptable to him. This, he

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

All parties should work together for new provinces: Abbasi

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) senior leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has urged all political parties to work together for establishment of new provinces and said that incumbent government is not representative of masses. Addressing a joint press confer

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates leaves board

Microsoft on Friday announced that co-founder Bill Gates has left its board of directors to devote more time to philanthropy. The 64-year-old stopped being involved in day-to-day operations at the firm more than a decade ago, turning his attention to the

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

South Punjab Secretariat to be functional from July: Qureshi

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Saturday said that the process to envisage South Punjab and materialize it into a reality should now be completed and everyone should support the idea. FM Qureshi said that the incumbent government does not seek an

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Hindu group touts cow urine elixir for coronavirus

Dozens of Hindu activists held a cow urine party in the Indian capital Saturday to protect themselves from the new coronavirus, as countries around the world struggle to control the deadly pandemic. Members and supporters of All India Hindu Mahasabha stag

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Trump says he has taken coronavirus test, no result yet

President Donald Trump said Saturday he had taken a coronavirus test, as the White House began protectively checking the temperature of anyone coming into close contact with him or Vice President Mike Pence. Appearing at a White House news conference wher

Updated 15 Mar, 2020 04:46am

South Africans returned from virus-hit Wuhan

South Africa repatriated dozens of its citizens from China on Saturday over the coronavirus, the health ministry said, the first such move by a sub-Saharan country. The 146 South Africans were working and studying in Wuhan city, which was placed under loc

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

New rockets target Iraq base where US, UK troops killed

A fresh spate of rockets targeted an Iraqi base north of Baghdad on Saturday where foreign troops are deployed, Iraqi and US security sources told AFP, in a rare daytime attack. It was the 23rd such attack since late October on installations across Iraq w

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

US-Canada command says it intercepted Russian jets near Alaska

Two pairs of Russian military reconnaissance aircraft have been intercepted near Alaska, the North American Aerospace Defense Command said Saturday. The Russian aircraft entered and remained in the air defense identification zone, a security perimeter in

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Fight against coronavirus: Pakistan responds positively to India's proposal

Pakistan has responded positively to an offer made by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for chalking out a joint strategy of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) nations to fight the coronavirus.

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Letters

'The lucky economy'

This is apropos a Business Recorder op-ed "The lucky economy" carried by the newspaper yesterday. The writer, Syed Bakhtiyar Kazmi, who is very well-versed in economics and finance, has, however, advanced a somewhat strange argument by saying, amon

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Articles

'Super-spreaders': COVID19 myth or reality?

Can a single COVID-19 patient infect dozens of others? Although transmission rates in the current outbreak appear to be far lower, a variety of factors can lead to an individual infecting many. The concept of so-called "super-spreaders" - patients who typ

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Articles

South Sudan's road to peace marred by 'unconscionable' violence

The cattle rustlers were asleep, resting ahead of a raid, when automatic gunfire tore through their camp. Ambushed by rival herdsmen, encircled and outgunned, they were cut down, one by one. Koba Ngacho was lucky. Shot three times and left for dead, the y

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Articles

PSL - a homegrown global brand

PSL is a success story which every Pakistani should be proud of. Fifth season (PSL 2020) has been fully hosted in Pakistan with packed stadiums, although not any more due to COVID-19; but the journey was not as smooth as it appears today. It took years of

Updated 15 Mar, 2020 06:41am

Maryam's public appearance

When on Thursday she broke her self-imposed silence after six long months, Maryam Nawaz, vice president of the PML-N and daughter of its supreme leader Mian Nawaz Sharif, incited considerable excitement, which is likely to prove short-lived, though. The o

Updated 16 Mar, 2020 08:48am

Zainab Alert Bill amendments

It has been a slow process though undertaken with due diligence that the issue deserved. Last January, the National Assembly passed the Zainab Alert, Response and Recovery Bill named after a little girl who was kidnapped, raped and murdered by a sexual pr

Updated 16 Mar, 2020 08:48am

The coronavirus spectre

Coronavirus has taken everybody by surprise. Those who thought they are too far from its epicenter in China to be infected are now in the midst of coronavirus storm, which retains its unpredictability as to how it would play out in weeks and months to com

Updated 16 Mar, 2020 08:48am

Carjacking, kidnapping cases continue unabated in Capital

Over five cases of car lifting, four cases of various kinds of theft, and three cases of kidnapping were reported at various police stations of the federal capital during this past week.

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Former PTI MPA Khalil joins ANP

Another former PTI affiliated member of KP Assembly, Yasin Khan Khalil announced joining ANP here after meeting with the party president, Asfandyar Wali Khan at Wali Bagh, Charsadda on Saturday. He was invited by provincial president, Aimal Wali Khan a fe

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

'Opposition should not do politics over coronavirus'

Punjab Governor Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar said on Saturday that opposition should not do politics on corona virus and support anti-coronavirus efforts of government institutions.

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Coronavirus threat: JUI-F chief suspends all political activities

JUI-F Chief Maulana Fazalur Rehman has suspended all political activities due to precautionary measures against Corona Virus till March 31, 2020, new schedule of his political activities would be released later.

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Sc show put off

The Science for Sustainable Development Exhibition, which was to be organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 16-17 March 2020, has been postponed.

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Business & Economy

Hattar SEZ's progress reviewed

A meeting of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Board of Investment and Trade (BoIT) held the other day to discuss progress on ongoing work in Hattar Special Economic Zone (HSEZ) including provision of gas and electricity facilities.

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Coronavirus: minister calls on LHC CJ

Provincial Law Minister Raja Basharat on Saturday called on the Lahore High Court Chief Justice Mamun Rashid Sheikh and took him in confidence for not producing the prisoners before the courts.

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Court asks NAB to facilitate Mir Shakil's family as per law

An accountability court on Saturday directed the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to decide as per law an application by the family of Jang Group editor-in-chief Mir Shakilur Rehman to visit him daily. Mir Shakil is on 12-day physical remand in a case

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Two more coronavirus cases in Karachi

Two new cases of coronavirus have been diagnosed on Saturday, pushing the tally of COVID-19 patients to 17. Spokesperson for health department said that one case has travel history of Saudi Arabia, while other patient, 20, has no travel history; however t

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Seventh polio case surfaces in KP

A new case of polio case been confirmed in a 3-year-old girl of tribal district Khyber in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa here Saturday. The girl, who was diagnosed with the poliovirus, was previously administered polio vaccine during the anti-polio campaign.

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Passengers to Saudi Arabia: NA speaker voices concern over extra fare

The National Assembly Speaker, Asad Qaiser, has expressed serious concern over airlines receiving extra fare from passengers traveling to Saudi Arabia. The NA speaker contacted Minister for Aviation Ghulam Sarwar Khan and expressed his concern on addition

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Bilawal demands justice for newsman's family

Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has called for justice for the family of journalist, Javedullah Khan of Swat, who was martyred two weeks ago. Condemning the murder of Javedullah Khan, he expressed solidarity with his family.

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Coronavirus: PM says there is no need for panic

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday advised the people to follow the safety instructions issued by the government, saying that there is no need for panic.

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Prices of essential kitchen items witness upward trend

Prices of essential kitchen items especially, wheat flour, milk, bread, milk cream and eggs have witnessed an increase during this past week as compared to the week before, a survey carried out by Business Recorder revealed here on Saturday.

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Citrus exports jumped by 25,000 tonnes this season: PHDEC chief

Pakistani citrus has witness significant growth in the current season as citrus exports went up by 25,000 tons as compared to the last season. This was revealed by Nauman Aslam, chief executive officer, Pakistan Horticulture Development and Export Company

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Business & Economy

LCCI demands drastic cut in land use conversion charges

The Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI) has urged the government to keep land use conversion charges limited to 1% for industry and regularize the existing industrial units without any prescribed fee and conversion charges.

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Law to be enforced to stop illegal construction: FDA DG

Director General FDA Muhammad Suhail Khawaja has said that strict enforcement of relevant law would be ensured to stop the establishment of illegal housing schemes and construction of buildings without approval of map & cite plan.

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Business & Economy

Three passenger trains to be outsourced shortly: Sheikh Rashid

Federal Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmad has said that three trains including Lasani Express, Jinnah Express and Fareed Express will be outsourced soon. The minister was addressing a press conference at the Railways Headquarters here on Saturday.

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Ban on meeting prisoners imposed

After the National Security Committee's meeting on Friday, the Punjab government has issued directions that all prisoners must maintain a distance of 1-metre. All personnel in jail must be provided with complete personal protective equipment. Further, ban

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Anti-dengue measures reviewed

The meeting of District Emergency Response Committee for Anti Dengue was held at DC office which was presided by Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Ali. ADCG Fazal e Rabi, CEO DHA Dr Mushtaq Sipra, District Coordinator Epidemics Control Dr Aurangzaib and other

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Special anti-polio campaign begins in Tandlianwala

A special anti-polio campaign in Tehsil Tandlianwala started here on Saturday at the Hilal-e-Ahmar Maternity Hospital. The campaign would continue until March 20. Commissioner Ishrat Ali and Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Ali inaugurated the anti-polio camp

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

LHC restores Dr Ashraf as UAF VC

Dr Muhammad Ashraf has assumed the office of Vice Chancellor, University of Agriculture Faisalabad after the Lahore High Court Divisional Bench decision.

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Atlas Food signs MoU with Syngenta Pakistan

The Punjab government will soon launch an ambitious Rs 6 billion plus project to promote mechanization, usage of certified seed and responsible application of pesticides in line with international standards.

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Business & Economy

Despite challenges, Pakistan will make progress: MD AkzoNobel

Pakistan is facing a few challenges, for example in terms of its exchange rate and how it is impacting business costs, but in the long term Pakistan will progress positively, said Oscar Wezenbeek, Managing Director for AkzoNobel Decorative Paints in South

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Consultative process among PML-N legislators to be enhanced

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has decided to increase the consultative process among the party legislators and office-bearers following the meetings of the PML-N MPAs with CM Sardar Usman Buzdar and Punjab Governor Ch Muhammad Sarwar a few days

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Business & Economy

International flight operations restricted to three airports

Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has announced to continue international flights only from Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad while rest of the other airports has been closed to prevent spreading coronavirus in the country.

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Business & Economy

Coronavirus threat: FPCCI chief seeks relief package to protect trade, industry

The business community has urged the government to take preventive measures and develop a strategy to protect the pace of economic and trade progress of Pakistan from likely impact of world economic slowdown apprehended by leading think-tanks due to the r

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Gold slumps by Rs 2750 per tola

Gold on Saturday slumped by Rs 2750 per tola to Rs 90,850 in a single day trading on the local market, traders said. The precious metal was selling for Rs 77,890 per 10 grams, down by Rs 2,357, and $1,530 an ounce, down by $57 on the world market. Silver

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

'Poverty elimination must for promoting small businesses'

Provincial Minister of Livestock and Fisheries Abdul Bari Pitafi has said that poverty elimination was dire need to promote small business activities as most of the problems are related to unemployment and loss of economic resources.

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Taxes

CRTO detects Rs 299 million tax evasion

The Corporate Regional Tax Office (CRTO) has detected massive tax evasion amounting to Rs 299.40 million committed by an unregistered steel re-rolling mill. According to details, credible information was received that a steel re-rolling mill located at SI

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

DALFA exhibition 2020 planned for April

Dairy, Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries & Advanced Technologies (DALFA) Exhibition & Seminar 2020 will be held next month to support economy by developing the dairy, agriculture, livestock, fisheries sector with introduction of advanced technologies.

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

MQM-P vows to expedite struggle for new province in Sindh

Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) Saturday lambasted Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP)'s Sindh government for what it said grave injustices with the urban parts of the province and vowed to expedite the struggle for carving out a new province in Sindh

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Global Business Economy

US to spend $50 billion, buy oil amid virus economic pain

With the economy reeling, US President Donald Trump on Friday declared a national emergency to stem the damage from the coronavirus, a move that unlocks $50 billion in federal spending, while also unveiling plans to stockpile oil and waive interest paymen

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Money & Banking

UAE central bank announces $27bn plan to boost virus-hit economy

The central bank of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced a 100 billion dirham ($27 billion) economic plan on Saturday aimed at containing the impact of the coronavirus outbreak, which has so far infected 85 people in the Gulf Arab state.

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Global Business Economy

Abe vows 'unprecedented steps' to protect economy, urges global cooperation

Japan will aim to spearhead cooperation among major nations around the world to support a weakening global economy, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said, warning that policy coordination was critical to fight "disruptions" in world financial markets.

Updated 15 Mar, 2020 04:46am

Global Business Economy

Ferrari suspends production over coronavirus

Italian luxury carmaker Ferrari said Saturday it was suspending production for two weeks at two of its factories, citing "serious difficulties" related to Italy being in lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic. Production will stop immediately at the Mar

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Global Business Economy

Lufthansa to scrap dividends

German airline Lufthansa on Friday said it would suspend dividends for 2019 as the aviation industry grapples with an "exceptional crisis" caused by the coronavirus outbreak. The move is aimed at preserving liquidity at a time when the group faces a slew

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Global Business Economy

KLM to slash up to 2,000 jobs

Dutch national airline KLM said Friday it will cut up to 2,000 jobs as it battled the impact of the new coronavirus outbreak, and announced other cost-cutting measures. Chief executive Pieter Elbers said KLM - which has around 33,000 employees - will also

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Putin signs Russia's constitutional reform law

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday signed the package of constitutional reforms he had proposed, including a clause giving him an option to run for two more terms. The Kremlin has published the 68-page law spelling out the constitutional reforms

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Teargas, clashes in Paris as Yellow Vests' protesters defy coronavirus ban

French security forces fired teargas and clashed with anti-government "Yellow Vest" protesters who were demonstrating in Paris on Saturday in defiance of a ban on mass gatherings that aims to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Romanian lawmakers endorse PM Orban in vote of confidence

Romania's centrist Prime Minister Ludovic Orban won a parliamentary vote of confidence by a large margin as expected on Saturday, with all parties seeking to end a political stalemate and focus on reining in the spread of coronavirus.

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Two Western hostages freed after 15-month captivity in Africa's Sahel

A Canadian woman and an Italian man kidnapped while travelling through Burkina Faso 15 months ago have been freed and are in good health, the president of neighbouring Mali said on Saturday after meeting the pair. Edith Blais and Luca Tacchetto, who went

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Poor nations may see higher coronavirus deaths, warns UN official

Governments and health systems in wealthy nations are struggling to cope with the coronavirus pandemic, suggesting the poorest countries may be hit far harder if the virus gains a foothold there, a top UN official warned.

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Stocks

UK plans to sell most government bonds since 2012-13

Britain said it plans to issue 156.1 billion pounds ($202 billion) of government bonds in the upcoming 2020/21 financial year, less than forecast by primary dealers but still the most in eight years. The announcement followed a big-spending budget from fi

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Stocks

TSX rallies by most in a decade

Canada's main stock market notched on Friday its biggest gain since October 2008, as Canada ramped up stimulus to ease the economic impact of the coronavirus outbreak, while the Canadian dollar edged higher after hitting an earlier four-year low.

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Stocks

Eurozone bond yields rise as ECB seeks damage control

Eurozone bond yields jumped on Friday as investors' expectations of fiscal stimulus to combat the coronavirus pandemic rose in the region Italian 10-year borrowing costs were set for their biggest weekly jump since 1994, according to Refinitiv data, after

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Stocks

Italy, Spain curb trading to stem coronavirus market crash

Italy and Spain imposed trading curbs on stock markets, banning short-selling of dozens of stocks, to stem a market rout triggered by the coronavirus outbreak that saw European stock exchanges post their worst-ever daily losses.

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Stocks

Wall Street stages furious rally late after national emergency declared

Wall Street staged a furious rally in the waning moments of the session on Friday after US President Donald Trump declared a national emergency to combat the rapidly spreading coronavirus, although major averages still suffered sharp losses for the week.

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Money & Banking

Views mixed on Kazakh tenge

A monthly poll of Kazakh analysts showed no consensus on the short-term outlook for the local tenge currency as many cited global uncertainty caused by the coronavirus outbreak. Three out of six participants in the poll, which was carried out between Febr

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Money & Banking

Dollar net longs tumble to lowest since July 2017

Speculators' net long US dollar positioning in the latest week fell to its lowest level since July 2017, according to calculations by Reuters and US Commodity Futures Trading Commission data released on Friday.

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Money & Banking

African currencies week ahead: Uganda, Nigeria currencies seen soft, Tanzania's firm

Ugandan and Nigerian currencies are expected to come under pressure next week, but Tanzania's is seen firming while Kenya's holds steady.

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Money & Banking

Japan warns against yen spike

Japan's finance minister on Monday warned investors against pushing up the yen rapidly, saying the government is closely watching markets, which he described as "nervous" amid the global spread of the coronavirus.

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Money & Banking

Sterling to bounce this year in anticipation of EU-UK trade deal

Sterling will be around 5% stronger against the dollar in a year, driven by hopes Britain and the European Union agree a trade deal, but the outlook is clouded by fractious negotiations and the coronavirus outbreak, a Reuters poll found on Wednesday.

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Money & Banking

Dollar posts sharp gains against yen

The dollar surged on Friday, posting sharp gains against the safe-haven Japanese yen as stock markets recovered globally and investors cheered efforts by governments and policymakers to address the economic fallout from the coronavirus outbreak.

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Commodities

CBOT corn futures fall to contract lows

Chicago Board of Trade corn futures fell to contract lows on Thursday in sympathy with another rout on Wall Street tied to uncertainty about economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic. Softening profit margins for end-users of corn, including producer

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Commodities

CBOT wheat lower following broad slide in commodities, equities

Chicago Board of Trade wheat futures closed lower on Thursday, following broad declines in commodity and equity markets on fears of economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic, traders said. CBOT May soft red winter wheat settled down 7-1/4 cents at $5

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Cotton & Textile

Sluggish trading activity seen on cotton market

Official spot rate was down on the local cotton market on Saturday in the process of sluggish trading activity, dealers said. The official spot rate dropped by Rs 100 to Rs 8900, they added. In the ready session, approximately 1600 bales changed hands bet

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Energy

European gasoline margins touch one year low

Northwest European gasoline refining margins turned negative on Thursday, hitting their lowest since February last year amid fears over demand amid the spread of the coronavirus globally. Gasoline stocks held in independent storage in the Amsterdam-Rotter

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Commodities

Algeria tenders to buy milling wheat

Algeria's state grains agency OAIC has purchased milling wheat in an international tender which closed on Wednesday, European traders said on Thursday. Initial trade estimates put the purchase at around 600,000 tonnes, but more details are expected later

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Energy

Asia's naphtha crack rises on brisk demand

Asia's naphtha crack rose to $58.78 a tonne while the inter-month spread surged 50% to $9 a tonne, making both the values at their highest since March 3 amid brisk demand. The inter-month spread, which was at a discount on Monday, refers to the front-mont

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Other

All Badminton World Federation tournaments suspended

The Badminton World Federation is to suspend all tournaments from Monday until April 12 due to the coronavirus epidemic. "The suspension of the circuit will come into effect following the completion of the Yonex All England Open in Birmingham on Sunday,"

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Other

Ogier powers his Toyota ahead in Mexico dust and flames

Frenchman Sebastien Ogier emerged from the dust of day two on the Mexico Rally after watching key rival Ott Tanak suffer a damaged axel on a tough day of racing in the gravelly hill roads outside Guanajuato that left one car a burnt-out wreck. Teemu Sunin

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Other

India suspends domestic soccer and cricket

India suspended domestic soccer until the end of this month while domestic cricket was put on hold indefinitely due to the coronavirus on Saturday. The All India Football Federation said in a statement that, following Ministry of Health and state governme

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Other

Schachmann wins shortened Paris-Nice cycling race

Germany's Maximilian Schachmann of the Bora-Hansgrohe team won the Paris-Nice cycling race on Saturday, holding on in a frantic climb to a summit finish where he fell to the ground exhausted. The race was one of the rare sporting events to escape postpone

Published 15 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Cricket

New Bangladesh ODI cricket captain Tamim pleads for time

Newly-appointed Bangladesh one-day international cricket captain Tamim Iqbal on Saturday pleaded for time in order to make a difference in his role. Tamim was appointed last week replacing Mashrafe Mortaza, who stepped down following a three-match series

Published 15 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 23	252.10

Gainers
Losers
Leaders

Stock	Price
Dewan Sugar / Dec 23 Dewan Sugar Mills Limited(DWSM)	6.60 ▲ 1.00 (17.86%)
Dewan Farooque Sp. / Dec 23 Dewan Farooque Spinning Mills Limited(DFSM)	4.77 ▲ 0.50 (11.71%)
Askari Life Assur. / Dec 23 Askari Life Assurance Company Limited(ALAC)	6.30 ▲ 0.64 (11.31%)
Jahangir Sidd(Pref) / Dec 23 Jahangir Sidd(Pref)(JSCLPSA)	9.50 ▲ 0.95 (11.11%)
Power Cem(Pref) / Dec 23 Power Cement (Pref)(POWERPS)	12.27 ▲ 1.12 (10.04%)
Treet Corp / Dec 23 Treet Corporation Limited(TREET)	24.38 ▲ 2.22 (10.02%)
Dawood Hercules / Dec 23 Dawood Hercules Corporation Limited(DAWH)	223.96 ▲ 20.36 (10.00%)
Engro Corp / Dec 23 Engro Corporation Limited(ENGRO)	435.67 ▲ 39.61 (10.00%)
First Imrooz Mod. / Dec 23 First Imrooz Modaraba(FIMM)	220 ▲ 20.00 (10.00%)

Stock	Price
Olympia Mills / Dec 23 Olympia Mills Limited(OML)	34.60 ▼ -3.82 (-9.94%)
Dar-es-Salaam / Dec 23 Dar-es-Salaam Textile Mills Limited(DSML)	42.01 ▼ -4.58 (-9.83%)
Asia Ins. / Dec 23 Asia Insurance Company Limited(ASIC)	13.99 ▼ -1.52 (-9.80%)
Burj Clean Energy Modaraba / Dec 23 Burj Clean Energy Modaraba(GEM)(GEMBCEM)	8.45 ▼ -0.65 (-7.14%)
Oilboy Energy / Dec 23 Oilboy Energy Limited(OBOY)	10.65 ▼ -0.74 (-6.50%)
J.A.Textile / Dec 23 J.A. Textile Mills Limited(JATM)	39.45 ▼ -2.46 (-5.87%)
S.G.Power / Dec 23 S.G. Power Limited(SGPL)	10.55 ▼ -0.64 (-5.72%)
First IBL Mod. / Dec 23 First IBL Modaraba(FIBLM)	3.10 ▼ -0.18 (-5.49%)
Ghazi Fabrics / Dec 23 Ghazi Fabrics International Limited(GFIL)	9.50 ▼ -0.54 (-5.38%)

Stock	Volume
WorldCall Telecom / Dec 23 Worldcall Telecom Limited(WTL)	99,942,750 ▲ 0.09
Pace (Pak) Ltd. / Dec 23 Pace (Pakistan) Limited(PACE)	43,280,462 ▲ 0.16
K-Electric Ltd. / Dec 23 K-Electric Limited(KEL)	40,644,312 ▲ 0.12
Sui South Gas / Dec 23 Sui Southern Gas Company Limited(SSGC)	40,619,788 ▼ -0.56
Cnergyico PK / Dec 23 Cnergyico PK Limited(CNERGY)	30,423,419 ▲ 0.41
B.O.Punjab / Dec 23 The Bank of Punjab(BOP)	29,495,012 ▲ 0.06
Pak Elektron / Dec 23 Pak Elektron Limited(PAEL)	23,717,939 ▲ 2.16
Symmetry Group / Dec 23 Symmetry Group Limited(SYM)	21,897,051 ▲ 0.14
Hub Power Co. / Dec 23 The Hub Power Company Limited(HUBC)	20,727,996 ▲ 1.94

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