News Archives for Print - 2020-03-19

Print - 2020-03-19

Trump deploys hospital ships

The United States is to deploy military hospital ships to fight the coronavirus, Donald Trump said Wednesday, as he likened himself to a "wartime president" and invoked a Korean War-era law. As America and Canada announced they were closing their border t

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Stocks

General public entry to PSX banned

Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) has announced that the entry to general public at PSX premises has been stopped forthwith for their protection and social distancing. The PSX announced these precautionary measures for prevention of Coronavirus (COVID-19) sp

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

'Wished' risk coverage: PPIB facing stiff resistance from finance division

Private Power and Infrastructure Board (PPIB) is reportedly facing stiff resistance from the Finance Division on "wished" risk coverage to the Chinese company, which is establishing Kohala Hydropower Project under the CPEC, well-informed sources in the PP

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

36 specific shares: SECP links short selling to 'uptick' rule

In the wake of COVID-19 and its unprecedented effect on global stock markets, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), in consultation with market stakeholders and market infrastructure institutions, has decided that for the April 2020 c

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Fifth market halt in 8 days

Pakistan Stock Exchange Wednesday triggered another market halt on 10:17am to suspend trading for 45 minutes. After negative opening, the stock market saw freefall due to panic selling on investor concern over coronavirus spread. It was the fifth market h

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Stocks continue to bleed on Covid-19 fears

Pakistan Stock Exchange Wednesday recorded second worst-ever decline in its history due to panic selling on investor concerns over coronavirus spread. After opening on a negative note, the stock market saw a freefall and the PSX had to trigger another mar

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Technical supplementary grant for FBR approved by ECC

A meeting of the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet on Wednesday approved Rs 4,152 million technical supplementary grant for the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) from Pakistan Raises Revenue Programme to meet inevitable expenditures for th

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

July-January LSM registers 3.37 percent decline YoY

The Large Scale Manufacturing Index (LSMI) witnessed a decline of 3.37 percent, ie, from 140.99 points to 136.34 points during July-January 2019-20 against the same period last year, as per the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Public debt stands at 83 percent of GDP

Finance Ministry has informed the federal cabinet that budget deficit stood at 3.8 percent of the GDP for the first eight months of the current fiscal year (July-February 2019-2020).

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

July-February current account deficit narrows down 71 percent YoY

The country's current account deficit contracted by 71 percent during the first eight months of this fiscal year (FY20), mainly driven by a significant reduction in import bill and modest growth in workers' remittances.

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Allotment of houses to judges: IHC reprimands NAB for producing list

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday reprimanded the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for producing a list of allotment of houses to the judges terming it "confidential", and directed the bureau to explain why proceedings may not be initiated a

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Rattled world 'at war'

Hundreds of millions of people worldwide were adjusting on Wednesday to once-in-a-generation measures to battle the coronavirus crisis that is not only killing the old and vulnerable but also threatening prolonged economic misery. The fast-spreading disea

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

SBP adopts measures to promote digital payments

In order to curtail the risk of spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) and limit the physical interaction of citizens at bank branch level, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has waived all bank charges for online fund transfer services and the transactions charg

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

PM meets people at D G Khan quarantine centre

Prime Minister Imran Khan Wednesday directed the authorities concerned not to compromise on quality of facilities at the quarantine centers in order to curtail the risk of the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Ministry clears $588 million funds

The Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Wednesday cleared $588 million in funds from the World Bank (WB) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in support for the COVID-19 emergency response and to address the socioeconomic disruption

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Coronavirus: KP government confirms Pakistan's first two deaths

Pakistan has confirmed its two coronavirus-related deaths as two patients died in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from the novel coronavirus, KP Health Minister Taimur Saleem Jhagra tweeted. The second announcement came less than two hours after a COVID-19 death was r

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Karachi wears a deserted look as closure plan goes into effect

The city on Wednesday was widely deserted with restaurants, tea-stalls, food and beverage shops, academies and big markets and malls, besides recreational places remained closed for public following the Sindh government plan to arrest the spread of pandem

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Acquittal pleas in RPP reference: Accused not entitled to relief under NAB Ordinance 2019: court

The Accountability Court hearing Rental Power Plant (RPP) cases, on Wednesday rejected the acquittal pleas of former prime minister Raja Pervez Ashraf and others, in the Nandipur Power Project (NPP) reference.

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Export, import matters: Ministries, except MoC, banned from issuing permissions

The Federal Cabinet has imposed a ban on issuance of export/import permissions by the ministries except Ministry of Commerce (MoC) as the latter was unhappy on such instances, saying that this practice promotes rent seeking; well-informed sources in the M

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

SC allows Air Marshal Arshad to continue as PIA CEO

The Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed Air Marshal Arshad Mehmood Malik to continue as chief executive officer (CEO) of the Pakistan International Airlines Corporation Limited (PIACL). The court expressed its expectation that the air marshal shall do well

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Mobile devices: PTA grants additional 30 days for registration

In view of coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and to ensure social distancing, all the GSMA valid device IMEIs seen on mobile networks but currently not registered with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) have been granted an additional 30 days fo

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Coronavirus emergency: KPT reviews action plan

In order to deal with the coronavirus epidemic, a meeting of all GMs and Managers was called by Chairman KPT Rear Admiral Jamil Akhtar (retd) at KPT Head Office on Wednesday. The course of action implemented presently and further measures to be taken by K

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

208 coronavirus patients being treated in Sindh, says Murad

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has said that 208 patients of coronavirus, 57 in Karachi and 151 in Sukkur, are under treatment. "The situation is not so serious, but it is worrisome, and we must adopt precautionary measures to stop its spread in

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Quake rattles Salt Lake City

A 5.7-magnitude earthquake struck near Salt Lake City in the US state of Utah on Wednesday, damaging an iconic Mormon temple and disrupting efforts to battle the coronavirus pandemic. The shallow quake - Utah's strongest since 1992 - also closed Salt Lake

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Four soldiers martyred, 7 terrorists killed in North Waziristan

Four Army soldiers were martyred on Wednesday during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) on a terrorist hideout in Datta Khel in North Waziristan. According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), seven terrorists were kille

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

BJP activist held for selling cow urine

An activist with India's ruling party has been arrested after a volunteer fell ill from drinking cow urine at a party to combat the novel coronavirus, police said Wednesday, as interest grows in home remedies amid the pandemic. Narayan Chatterjee, a Bhara

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Letters

'Need for new income tax law'

This is apropos a Business Recorder op-ed "Need for new income tax law" carried by the newspaper yesterday. The writers, Huzaima Bukhari and Dr Ikramul Haq, have highlighted a very key aspect of taxation by arguing that "The administration of a tax

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Articles

Oil crash piles pressure on virus-hit Saudi economy

From empty hotels to shuttered beauty salons, oil-dependent Saudi Arabia is bracing for a coronavirus-led economic slump on top of possible austerity measures as crude prices go into free fall. Huge losses are expected after the Arab world's biggest econo

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Articles

Employment through digitalization of economy

It is needless to emphasize the significance of employment generation in the existing economic scenario of upward prices, shrinking demand, and public's inability to provide with sustenance to family. Although promises of employment to youth have not been

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Articles

No debt fictional world

Imagination precedes invention - sure there have been accidental discoveries, but even in such cases, ultimately, someone was pursuing their imagination, albeit for some other objective.

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Ulema's unanimous stance

The large gatherings of worshippers are a reality of religious practices. And this is also a reality that according to whatever is so far scientifically known about prevalence of coronavirus it feeds on large gatherings. Rightly then the governments of al

Updated 19 Mar, 2020 08:52am

SBP's response to Covid-19 challenge

After keeping the policy rate unchanged at 13.25 percent for several months, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has finally decided to reduce it by 75 basis points (bps) to bring it down to 12.50 percent per annum with

Updated 19 Mar, 2020 08:45am

56 arrested for profiteering, encroachments

District administration Peshawar Wednesday arrested at least 56 persons in crackdown against encroachment and profiteering from different localities of the district. According to a spokesman of the district administration, on the directives of the Deputy

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

LHC division bench reinstates Dr Ashraf as UAF VC

A division bench of the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Wednesday set aside decision of a single bench and reinstated Dr Muhammad Ashraf as vice chancellor of University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF). The bench held that the impugned judgment is against the

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

COVID-19: 'Punjab government making attempts to curtail financial implications'

Punjab Finance Minister Makhdoom Hashim Jawan Bakht has said that the provincial government is making all possible attempts to curtail the financial implications arising due to coronavirus.

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Essential medicines: Efforts afoot to ensure availability at affordable prices: PM

Prime Minister Imran Khan Wednesday said the government was determined to ensure easy availability of life saving drugs along with other essential medicines at affordable prices because it attached high priority to the life of its people.

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

HEC develops databank of online courses at national, international levels

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has developed a databank of the online courses available at the national and international levels, and shared it with universities, while the university faculty has also been asked to prepare virtual courses for disse

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

University offering online classes to students

Vice Chancellor of Barrett Hodgson University, Prof Shakil Ahmed Khan, has said that the university is offering online classes during the holidays, and there is no need to take special steps because there is already an online system.

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

NAB Karachi recovers Rs 2.127 million through plea bargain

NAB Karachi has recovered Rs 2.127 million through Plea Bargain from two accused namely Iqbal Ahmed Magsi, the then Sr. Auditor and Shamim Akhtar, Ex-Superintendent FBR in References number 54/07 & 18/2017 respectively.

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Stocks

SECP directs listed companies to modify planning for AGMs

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has directed the listed companies to modify their usual planning for annual general meetings to avoid large gathering at one place. The SECP has issued a circular to limit the spread of coronavirus

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

All educational institutions' exams put off till June 1

Federal Minister for Education Shafqat Mahmood on Wednesday said that the government had decided to postpone all examinations including those of boards and the Cambridge system till the first of June, amid fear of coronavirus outbreak in the country.

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Successful Hajj applicants may apply for refund of deposited money

The successful Hajj 2020 applicants, who want their deposited money back for any reason, have been asked by the Ministry of Religious Affairs to apply for the refund of their deposited money.

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

IHC issues notices to Pemra, SAPM

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday issued notices to the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) and the Special Assistant to the PM on Information and Broadcasting, in a case related to "the closure and relegation of Geo News to l

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Coronavirus in Punjab: Kaira criticises government for insufficient arrangements

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Punjab President Qamar Zaman Kaira has criticized the government for not taking appropriate measures to respond to the break out of coronavirus in the province of Punjab.

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Pakistan jettisons Indian ministry's remarks

Pakistan on Wednesday categorically rejected India External Affairs Ministry's irresponsible remarks in which it claimed that Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir was its "integral part" and described the assertion as clear violation of the relevant United N

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

LG polls in Punjab & KP: ECP asks CSs to promptly provide required data

Once again, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Wednesday expressed serious concern over non-provision of relevant data for the local government elections in Punjab and the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, and asked the chiefs secretaries of the two provinces

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Business & Economy

Covid-19 threat: PPMA extends support to meet drugs' requirements

Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (PPMA) has said that as the foremost national duty, it will do its best to ensure availability of essential medicines required in the country to deal with the Coronavirus health emergency but the industry

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Business & Economy

KCCI chief seeks withdrawal of KE retrospective demand of ISPA

President Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) Agha Shahab Ahmed Khan has criticised for K-Electric for unwarranted retrospective demand of ISPA and urged Prime Minister Imran Khan and Federal Minister for Energy Omar Ayub Khan to refrain K-Elect

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Coronavirus outbreak: Sindh government to buy 60,000 ration bags in first phase

The Sindh government on Wednesday decided to buy 60,000 bags of ration in first phase for distribution amid coronavirus outbreak.

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

KTBA seeks to avoid appeals at Karachi bench

Karachi Tax Bar Association (KTBA) Wednesday requested the chairman Appellate Tribunal to avoid the regular and the main appeals, especially at the Karachi bench amid COVID-19 pandemic.

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Mayor demands emergency economic package

Mayor Karachi Wasim Akhtar on Wednesday urged federal and provincial governments as well as the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to announce an emergency economic package to deal with the coronavirus.

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Cotton & Textile

PRGMEA seeks govt's help for textile industry

Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PRGMEA) has appealed to the Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan for immediate steps to support the textile industry as under the current circumstances of global challenge of Coronaviru

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

KP government tightens preventive measures against coronavirus

KP government on Wednesday further tightened precautionary measures against coronavirus and suspended all official meetings and closed all restaurants and fast-food shops till April 5.

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Business & Economy

Business leaders disappointed over meagre cut in policy rate

Business community has expressed serious concern over minor reduction in basic policy discount rate in monetary policy announced by the State Bank of Pakistan which seems to be totally against the global wisdom under the current extreme circumstances.

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Goods transportation: Traders demand opening of Torkham border

Traders community in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa here on Wednesday demanded of the government to keep the Torkham border open for transportation of trucks, loaded with perishable and other items so that will avoid huge financial losses to them and unhurt the mutua

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Azad Kashmir reports first COVID-19 case

Azad Kashmir reported its first known coronavirus case on Wednesday.

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Coronavirus: Government launches chatbot to address common concerns

The federal government on Wednesday launched a chatbot to address common concerns pertaining to novel coronavirus (COVID-19), said Tania Aidrus, the head of Digital Pakistan.

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Government adopting safety measure in panahgahs: Naseemur Rehman

The government was adopting all possible safety measure to protect people, visiting panahgahs of twin cities for food and overnight stay, from coronavirus.

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Under-served and un-served areas: Six projects of NGBSD worth Rs 2.8bn awarded

The Universal Service Fund (USF) has awarded six projects of Next Generation Broadband for Sustainable Development (NGBSD) worth Rs 2.8 billion for the socio-economic uplift of the under-served and un-served areas of the country.

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Bid to clear goods worth millions of rupees on forged documents foiled

Model Collectorate of Customs, Port Qasim has detained goods worth millions of rupees attempted to be cleared under the garb of incentives available to the industrial units established in the Fata/Pata.

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

ATP suggests board's setup to cope with economic downfall

The Amun Taraqqi Party (ATP) Chairman, Muhammad Faiq Shah has demanded government to take emergency measures to cope with increasing losses to national economy due to rapidly spread of coronavirus pandemic in Pakistan.

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Telecommunication

Online education, business activities: Legal VoIPs, VPNs & video conferencing apps can be used: PTA

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) on Wednesday announced that all educational institutes and online businesses can use legal Voice over Internet Protocols (VoIP), Virtual Private Networks (VPN), and video conferencing applications to carry on

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Business & Economy

SMEs apprehensive about privatisation of SME Bank

The small and medium enterprises (SMEs) sector is apprehensive about privatisation of the SME Bank Limited which is likely to be completed in the next month.

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

'Corona tele medicine web portal' launched at UHS

While the number of corona positive cases is on the rise across country, the Punjab government Wednesday formally launched "Corona Tele Medicine Web Portal" and Corona Mobile app.

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Coronavirus patients: Sindh minister boasts of providing good facilities

Sindh Minister for Information, Local Government, Housing & Town Planning, Religious Affairs, Forest and Wildlife Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, while talking to the media, said that the provincial government has been providing good facilities to the coronaviru

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

District-level bodies formed to monitor virus situation: Sharjeel

PPP MPA Sharjeel Inam Memon, who is also a focal person for Coronavirus, informed that district level committees had been constituted in the province to monitor the situation regarding coronavirus. He said people should avoid Public gathering.

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Pilgrims decry squalid coronavirus quarantine camp

Hundreds of people who returned home from a pilgrimage to Iran are stuck in filthy coronavirus quarantine camps with limited medical care, and fear squalid conditions are helping spread the disease. Speaking to AFP, current and former residents of Taftan

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Qureshi goes on five-day self-isolation

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi went on self-isolation for five days on Wednesday upon return from China amid rising cases of coronavirus, saying "he is completely healthy but voluntarily decided to quarantine himself to give a message".

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Chohan's resignation demanded

Foundation for Education and Rehabilitation of Special Children (FRESH) Chief Executive Officer Ashba Kamran demanded of Prime Minister Imran Khan to take action against Information Minister Fayyaz-ul-Hassan Chohan for referring to children with born disa

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Business & Economy

Five unapproved housing schemes sealed

Under the directions of Director General FDA Muhammad Suhail Khawaja, the enforcement team of FDA has sealed five unapproved housing schemes in different localities and demolished illegal constructions besides taking the machinery into custody from the sp

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Cotton & Textile

8.57 million cotton bales reach ginneries, arrivals down by 20 percent

Seed cotton (Phutti) equivalent to 8.57 million or 8,571,261 bales has reached ginneries across Pakistan till Mar 15, 2020 registering 20.36 percent shortfall compared to corresponding period of last year.

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Clean-up operation of general bus stand begins

Washing operation of General Bus Stand has begun in connection with precautionary measures to control coronavirus. Assistant Commissioner Sadar Umar Maqbool and Secretary RTA Zameer Hussain oversaw the campaign. Assistant Administrator Rana Habibullah and

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Saving employees from coronavirus: Punjab government plans 'governance' with 30 percent officers only

The Punjab government is reportedly contemplating to carry out working of provincial government departments with only 30 per cent strength till April 5 in a bid to save its employees from Coronavirus.

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Taxes

Exportable goods: Domestic sales' documentation becomes hard nut to crack for FBR

Documentation of domestic sales of the exporting goods has become a hard nut to crack for the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) as it invites the exporters' wrath on the one hand and gives birth to the false claimants of sales tax refunds on the other, said

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Business & Economy

FDA seeks approval to declare 21 roads as commercial

The Faisalabad Development Authority (FDA) has forwarded summary to Punjab government for seeking approval to declare the 21 roads of some residential colonies under FDA control as commercial. This was informed by Director General FDA Muhammad Suhail Khaw

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Articles

Partly Facetious: Dr Sheikh needs to reduce indirect taxes

"I reckon a switcheroo is in order."

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Punjab to launch coronavirus helpline: Sarwar

Punjab government has decided to introduce online healthcare service across the province to deal with the novel coronavirus patients as a social distancing measure.

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

PFA seals grinding unit

The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) on Wednesday following a grand operation against adulterators sealed a grinding unit and also foiled an attempt to ship a consignment of 15,000 hatchery eggs in the market.

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Business & Economy

APA&AA team meets Omar Hamid

A delegation of All Pakistan Audit and Accounts Association (combined) met the Special Secretary Finance Omar Hamid Khan on their request to highlight issues on account of promotions and increase in salary/allowances, said a press release on Wednesday.

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Telecommunication

Zong 4G partners with NayaPay

Zong 4G partners with NayaPay to provide seamless digital experience to customers leading the charge in customer advocacy. Zong 4G has partnered with NayaPay (Pvt) Limited to enable its customers to make digital payments for its services. The two organis

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Shahbaz accuses PTI government of lukewarm response to COVID-19

PMLN President and National Assembly Opposition Leader Shahbaz Sharif says the PTI-created economic crisis and government mismanagement amid coronavirus has posed an undeniable and alarming threat to the survival of Pakistan and Pakistanis.

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Brief Recordings

GOC Pak Limited

GOC (Pak) Limited (PSX: GOC) was established as a private limited company in 1964 under the Companies Act, 1913 (now Companies Act, 2017). It was converted into a public limited company in 1986. Previously it was known as Grays of Cambridge.

Updated 19 Mar, 2020 03:42am

New Zealand decriminalises abortion

New Zealand's parliament voted Wednesday to decriminalise abortion, in a move Justice Minister Andrew Little said modernised legislation and gave women control over their bodies.

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Uzbek court slaps ex-leader's daughter with 13-year jail term

A court in Uzbekistan on Wednesday sentenced the daughter of the country's late longtime leader Islam Karimov to more than 13 years in prison for extortion and embezzlement.

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

US calls Afghan prisoner swap 'urgent' amid coronavirus

The United States on Wednesday pressed the Afghan government and Taliban to move ahead with a delayed plan to free prisoners, saying the coronavirus crisis created urgency.

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Trump says 'not happy' with China journalist expulsions

President Donald Trump on Wednesday criticized China's decision to expel American journalists from three major US newspapers, as the rival nations also spar over the coronavirus outbreak.

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Swiss aid expert to head UN Palestinian refugee agency

Swiss humanitarian relief expert Philippe Lazzarini has been appointed to head the UN agency responsible for aiding Palestinian refugees, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres announced Wednesday.

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Most Americans say Trump hasn't taken virus seriously: poll

Americans' worries about the novel coronavirus have shot up in the past week with a majority believing President Donald Trump has not taken it seriously enough, a survey said Wednesday.

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Czechs fly-in 150,000 rapid virus tests from China

The Czech Republic has flown in 150,000 rapid novel coronavirus tests from China for use in large hospitals as well as by police, firefighters and soldiers, officials said on Wednesday.

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Chinese PM pledges two million anti-virus masks to EU

The EU Commission chief said Wednesday that China will send Europe 50,000 coronavirus testing kits and two million surgical masks, as the continent battles to contain the pandemic.

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Virus forces EU and China to cancel summit

The EU and China have decided to cancel their upcoming summit in Beijing because of the coronavirus epidemic, a spokeswoman for the bloc said on Wednesday.

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

No holiday: PM urges Malaysians to follow virus rules

Malaysia's prime minister Wednesday issued a plea for people to stay at home to halt the spread of the coronavirus, after a chaotic start to new restrictions. Authorities have ordered the closure of schools and most businesses for two weeks, as well as ba

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Commodities

Abundant rains boost Ivory Coast's cocoa mid-crop

Well above-average rains punctuated by sun last week in most of Ivory Coast's cocoa-growing regions should boost the April to September mid-crop, farmers said on Monday. Ivory Coast, the world's top cocoa producer, is in its dry season from November to Ma

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

PMEX daily trading report

On Tuesday at Pakistan Mercantile Exchange Limited, PMEX Commodity Index closed at 3,481. The traded value of metals, energy and COTS/FX was recorded at PKR 11.631 billion and the number of lots traded was 13,126.

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Commodities

China's steel futures fall on global coronavirus panic

Benchmark steel futures in China pulled back on Tuesday after hitting near two-month highs in the previous session on rising worries over the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on the world economy. Construction steel rebar on the Shanghai Futures Exchan

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Business & Economy

Activities at Karachi and Port Qasim

The Karachi Port handled 177,915 tonnes of cargo comprising 100,379 tonnes of import cargo and 77,536 tonnes of export cargo including 7,107 loaded and empty containers during the last 24 hours ending at 0700 hours on Wednesday. The total import cargos of

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Cotton & Textile

Lackluster session seen on cotton market

Leading participants were conspicuous by their absence on the local cotton market on Wednesday in the process of lackluster session, dealers said. The official spot rate was unchanged at Rs 8900, they added. In the ready session, not a single deal reporte

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Commodities

Paris wheat futures rise on euros steep fall

Paris wheat futures rose on Tuesday, supported by a steep drop in the euro and a broad bounce in financial markets after Monday's massive fall on fears over the impact from the coronavirus pandemic. Rapeseed, which bore the brunt of losses on Euronext's c

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Money & Banking

Yen gains in Asia

The safe-haven yen gained sharply, but the dollar held onto hefty overnight gains against other currencies on Wednesday, as fears over the coronavirus pandemic kept markets frazzled despite massive injections of liquidity by central banks.

Published 19 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Money & Banking

Dollar rockets to 3-year highs against majors in Europe

The dollar surged to a three-year high against major currencies on Wednesday, as companies and investors worried by the coronavirus outbreak rushed to the safe haven of the world's most liquid currency.

Published 19 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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