News Archives for Print - 2020-03-20

Print - 2020-03-20

Business & Economy

Decision to withdraw ISPA not ours: K-Electric

KE is a responsible corporate entity and follows due process in every aspect of its operations. As such, the withdrawal of Industrial Support Package (ISPA) from July 2019 to December 2019 in the bills issued to industrial consumers is in accordance with

Published 20 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Sindh government to distribute rations: Murad

The Sindh government, owing to the ongoing partial lockdown in the province, has decided to distribute 2,000,000 bags of food items among the poor segment of society all over the province.

Published 20 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Coronavirus pandemic: Currency business halted due to suspension of Dubai-bound flights

The local currency dealers on Thursday halted trading of all foreign currencies in the provincial metropolis for an indefinite period following suspension of Dubai-bound flights in the wake of growing coronavirus pandemic.

Published 20 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Justice Seth irked by elevation of 'junior' judges to SC

Chief Justice of Peshawar High Court (PHC) Justice Waqar Ahmed Seth has written a letter to the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) for being "ignored and superseded thrice", in elevation to the Supreme Court.

Published 20 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Money & Banking

SBP allows up to $25,000 advance payment against imports

In order to facilitate the industrial sector, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has allowed authorised dealers for advance payment up to USD 25,000 for import of raw materials, spare parts and machinery.

Published 20 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Fed opens dollar swap lines for 9 more foreign central banks

The US Federal Reserve opened the taps on Thursday for central banks in nine additional countries to access dollars in hopes of preventing the coronavirus epidemic from causing a global economic rout.

Updated 20 Mar, 2020 10:49am

Cases of coronavirus cross 450 as Balochistan reports sharp spike

Pakistan on Thursday reported new positive coronavirus cases in Balochistan and Gilgit-Baltistan, taking the national tally to 453. In Balochistan, the number of positive cases soared to 81 after it reported 66 fresh cases on Thursday.

Updated 20 Mar, 2020 10:49am

Foreign buyers: Exporters can send shipping documents directly: SBP

In its efforts to facilitate exporters, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has allowed exporters to directly dispatch shipping documents of their export consignment to their foreign buyers without any limit.

Updated 20 Mar, 2020 10:49am

Government finalising $600 million package with multilaterals: minister

The government is finalising an approximately $600 million emergency package with multilaterals for dealing with the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak across the country.

Updated 20 Mar, 2020 10:49am

MoCC, EDB in row over NEVP jurisdiction

The Ministry of Climate Change (MoCC) and the Engineering Development Board (EDB), an arm of the Ministry of Industries and Production (MoI&P) have reportedly locked horns over the jurisdiction of the National Electric Vehicle Policy (NEVP), and proposed

Published 20 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Exporters to get relief package

Prime Minister's Advisor on Commerce, Industries and Production and Investment Abdul Razak Dawood said on Thursday that the government would soon announce a relief package for the affected exporters.

Updated 20 Mar, 2020 10:49am

Stocks

PSX meltdown continues: BRIndex100 modestly lower

Pakistan Stock Exchange Thursday opened on a strong negative note and saw 6th market halt at 09:37am. Trading remained suspended for 45 minutes. After reopening, the market rebounded and recovered most of its intra-day losses on the back of fresh buying i

Published 20 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Stock plunge triggers 6th halt

The stock market slumped Thursday and right after the commencement of trading the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) had to trigger market halt at 09:37am. It was the 6th market halt during last nine days.

Updated 20 Mar, 2020 10:49am

US fast-tracking antimalarials to treat coronavirus: Trump

The US is fast-tracking antimalarial drugs for use as a treatment against the new coronavirus, President Donald Trump said Thursday.

Updated 20 Mar, 2020 10:58am

PSMA criticizes SRO

The sugar industry is up in arms against the Statutory Regulatory Order (SRO) 233(1), 2020 issued by the Revenue Division, saying such a decision is anti-sugarcane growers.

Updated 20 Mar, 2020 10:49am

Value of $725 per MT fixed on import of sugar withdrawn

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has withdrawn value of $725 per metric tons (MT) fixed on the import of sugar and now 17 percent sales tax would be applicable on the actual value of the commodity at the import stage.

Updated 20 Mar, 2020 10:49am

Armed forces extend support to public: DG ISPR

Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Babar Iftikhar on Thursday said the armed forces were extending all out support to the public against coronavirus, together with the civilian authorities.

Updated 20 Mar, 2020 10:51am

Modi orders one-day curfew to combat virus

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday appealed to the 1.3 billion population to follow a one-day curfew alongside a ban on international flight arrivals to combat the coronavirus pandemic.

Updated 20 Mar, 2020 10:49am

12 trains to be suspended: Rashid

Federal Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said that the government had decided to suspend 12 trains from Sunday amid fear of coronavirus spread.

Updated 20 Mar, 2020 10:52am

Courts will remain open at all levels

National Judicial (Policy Making) Committee, (NJPMC) decided that courts will remain open at all levels by reducing the judicial work load, so that the people working in the courts or visiting shall not be exposed to any risk of getting affected by virus.

Updated 20 Mar, 2020 10:52am

Bilawal calls for countrywide lockdown

Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Thursday recommended to the federal government to put the country under a lockdown to protect life and economy from the deadly coronavirus.

Updated 20 Mar, 2020 10:52am

Bank holiday

The State Bank of Pakistan and all banks will remain closed on March 23, 2020 (Monday) being public holiday on the occasion of "Pakistan Day" as declared by the Government of Pakistan.

Updated 20 Mar, 2020 10:52am

SECP drafts NBFCs, Collective Investment Vehicles Bill, 2020 law

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has drafted a new law, called, Non-Banking Finance Companies and Collective Investment Vehicles Bill, 2020, to protect investors and tighten supervision/ monitoring of non-banking finance companies

Updated 20 Mar, 2020 10:52am

Debt limitation law: SHC seeks replies

Sindh High Court (SHC) on Thursday sought the replies from Finance Division, State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and others in a petition related to increase in public debt in violation of "Fiscal Responsibility and Debt Limitation Act, 2005".

Published 20 Mar, 2020 12:00am

BOFA declares US recession

The Bank of America economics team on Thursday declared "The US recession is here," noting Q2 will be "brutal" with a 12 percent quarter-on-quarter seasonally adjusted annual rate drop, the biggest decline post-WWII, after growth of only 0.5 percent in Q1

Published 20 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Letters

Concerns about Saudi Pak Leasing affairs

I would like to draw the attention of concerned authorities and stakeholders over Saudi Pak Leasing's affairs.

Published 20 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Articles

Companies hit pause button as coronavirus infects economy

Layoffs, cutting costs and halting dividends... companies are scrambling to adapt as the coronavirus emergency hits demand while the draconian measures taken to contain the illness undercut production and demand.

Published 20 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Articles

Public service reforms - IV

In the spirit of e-governance, and interconnectedness through the use of IT, public service officers should have a 'standardized online account.' The account should be maintained by Nadra (National Database and Registration Authority), and levels of acces

Published 20 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Articles

Need for all-out reforms - I

Every now and then, we keep on hearing from higher judicial echelons that the federal and provincial governments must run the affairs in accordance with the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan [the Constitution] and applicable laws/rules/regulati

Published 20 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Pandemic threat

It comes as no surprise that in a world struggling to cope with the coronavirus, Pakistan's healthcare system, which is known not to be top of the line, should fail to grapple with the enormity of the task. The worst lapse has been the failure to manage s

Updated 20 Mar, 2020 11:18am

Missing points in budget strategy paper

Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan waxed eloquent as usual about the finance ministry's many achievements as she explained its Budget Strategy Paper for 2020, duly approved by cabinet, to the press, y

Updated 20 Mar, 2020 11:18am

President seeks unity to combat COVID-19

President Dr Arif Alvi has once again appealed to the nation to unite to combat the challenge of coronavirus. In a tweet on Thursday, the president said "We must forget all differences and start helping the people as in this war everything else is seconda

Published 20 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Khursheed Shah case: IHC suspends NAB notification for constituting JIT

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday suspended a notification of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to constitute a joint investigation team (JIT) to carry out investigations against the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) leader, Syed Khurshid Shah

Published 20 Mar, 2020 12:00am

NDMA directs provinces' chief secretaries: Conversion of 3&4 star hotels into quarantine centres in the offing

Following the surge in coronavirus cases countrywide the government is mulling to convert all the three and four star hotels into quarantine centers. According to an official communiqué sent by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to the chie

Published 20 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Business & Economy

Impact of Covid-19: CPEC projects to be completed in time: FO

The Foreign Office on Thursday expressed the confidence that Pakistan would be able to complete the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects in time, and would counterbalance "short-term" impact by coronavirus outbreak.

Published 20 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Wagah border sealed for two weeks

The government on Thursday completely sealed Wagah border in order to prevent spread of coronavirus. According to a notification issued by the Ministry of Interior, the Wagah border will remained seal for an initial period of two weeks. The notification f

Published 20 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Nawaz says virus needs to be fought at all levels

Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif has said that Pakistan is facing one of the "gravest crises" in its recent memory and the spread of coronavirus poses a serious threat that needs to be fought at all levels. The message of the former premier Sharif, who

Published 20 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Khawaja brothers released from jail

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders Khawaja Saad Rafique and Khawaja Salman Rafique have been released from Lahore's Camp Jail following acceptance of their bail petitions by the Supreme Court of Pakistan in the Paragon Housing scam reference. Th

Published 20 Mar, 2020 12:00am

NA speaker meets PM: Government-Opp's joint parliamentary body on COVID-19 soon

A joint parliamentary committee of the government and opposition will be formed soon to effectively tackle and stop the spread of coronavirus (Covid-19). This was agreed during a meeting between Prime Minister Imran Khan and National Assembly Speaker Asad

Published 20 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Over 4,000 people stuck at Peshawar-Torkham, Quetta-Chaman routes

A chock-a-block of over 4,000 people and 2,113 loaded trucks stuck at the Peshawar-Torkham and the Quetta-Chaman routes with no facility after the closure of the Pak-Afghan border has increased the chances of another breeding ground of COVID-19 after the

Published 20 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Business & Economy

Lasbela Chamber chief lambastes KE for 'extraordinary' bills

"The industrialists of Karachi have been stabbed in the back by the extraordinary electricity bills sent by KE demanding astronomical amounts for a unwarranted decision of the federal government to end the judicious decision of the previous government to

Published 20 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Money & Banking

Forex reserves fall by $161 million

The country's total liquid foreign exchange reserves declined by $161 million during last week. According to weekly foreign exchange report issued by the State Bank of Pakistan on Thursday, total liquid foreign exchange reserves held by the country stood

Published 20 Mar, 2020 12:00am

100-bed isolation wards set up in Tharparkar hospitals

The District Administration Tharparkar has established 100 beds isolation wards in all the Taluka hospitals and rural health centers of District Tharparkar to cope with coronavirus affectees in District Tharparkar.

Published 20 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Business & Economy

Coronavirus threat: PALPA urges management to take safety steps

Pakistan Airline Pilots' Association (PALPA) on Thursday urged PIAC management for protective processes to be implemented to make aircraft and cockpits, in particular, cleaner, safe and disinfected for the safe conduct of duties.

Published 20 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Business & Economy

KATI terms 75bps cut in interest rate 'disappointing'

Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI) has said that "mere decrease" of 75bps in interest rate by State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) is disappointing and demanded that the policy rate should be in single digit.

Published 20 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Frequent rain spells to prolong spring season: Met

The Met Office has said that the frequent rain spells are likely to prolong the present spring season in the country, with falling snow in the northern parts in March 2020. Above the normal rainfall is likely to increase overflow in the western rivers and

Published 20 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Murad releases Rs 7.21 billion to combat COVID-19: Four new cases of COVID-19 detected in Karachi

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has released Rs7.21 billion, including Rs6.9 billion to the health department and the rest of the amount to commissioner of Sukkur, to contain and combat COVID-19. "I'll make more funds available to contain, curb a

Published 20 Mar, 2020 12:00am

PFA seals 14 food points

The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) sealed 14 food businesses and penalized dozens of other eateries while carrying out a routine inspection operation in Punjab to ensure the provision of healthy and adulteration-free food in the market.

Published 20 Mar, 2020 12:00am

BoP denies rumours

News & rumors are being spread on social media that some employees of a BOP Branch have tested positive for COVID-19. BOP has taken strong notice of these fake news & clarifies that no employee at any BOP branch or office has tested positive for COVID-19.

Published 20 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Cotton & Textile

COVID-19: APTMA urges government to save textile industry from negative impact

All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) has demanded the government to take drastic measures to save export oriented textile industry from the negative economic impact of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) as since its outbreak in mid-December 2019, has

Published 20 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Pakistan can't afford lockdown: Sindh governor

Sindh Governor Imran Ismail on Thursday said that Pakistan cannot afford a lockdown as country's economic situation is not the same as that of Europe. Talking to media after visiting arrangements at Karachi airport, he said that poor people and daily wage

Published 20 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Business & Economy

Japan opens its doors for skilled labourers

Japanese Government as development partner of Pakistan opened its industrial sector for Pakistani skilled labour against salary packages equal to Japanese employees. In a media talk, Deputy Chief of Mission Embassy of Japan Shindo Yusuke said that the Gov

Published 20 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Saylani Welfare Trust to provide ration to needy families

In order to tackle the outbreak of the coronavirus across the country, Maulana Bashir Farooqi, the founder chairman of the Saylani Welfare Trust, announced that his trust would provide ration to 1.2 million to 2 million poor and needy families.

Published 20 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Uniform syllabus for Grade I-V finalised, PM told

The government said on Thursday uniform syllabus has been finalised for grade one to grade five for implementation from March 2021. Prime Minister Imran Khan, who chaired a meeting on uniform education system in the country, was also informed that Ministr

Published 20 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Kifalat Programme: Cash transfers begin to mitigate impact of COVID-19: Dr Sania

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Social Protection and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Sania Nishtar Thursday said cash transfer operations for the Ehsaas Kifalat beneficiaries are being run for financial assistance of the poor families in the wake of c

Published 20 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Business & Economy

Government urged to help resolve key issues of furniture industry

President of the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry Engr Maqsood Anwar Pervaiz has urged the government to take pragmatic steps to resolve key issues of furniture industry to boost exports of furniture. SCCI president said Pakistan generally and Khyb

Published 20 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Procurement of wheat to kick off in Sindh from March 25

In order to meet the wheat procurement target of 8.25 million tons fixed by the federal government for 2019-20 at an estimated cost of Rs288.75 billion, procurement of the commodity will start in Sindh from March 25.

Published 20 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Business & Economy

What economic impact will COVID-19 bring to China?

China has suffered economic strike from the COVID-19 during last two months or so. With the concern of the epidemic going out of control growing, people worried that China's economy, which stays in the period of traditional growth drivers being replaced b

Published 20 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Punjab to launch wheat procurement drive from March 25

Punjab is all set to launch wheat procurement drive 2020 from March 25, 2020 with a target of purchasing 4.5 million tons of grain at the rate of Rs1400 per maund. This was disclosed at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee for Wheat Procurement Policy 2020-

Published 20 Mar, 2020 12:00am

REAP chief urges government to double term of ERF

Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) has urged the government for enhancing the term of export refinance facility (ERF) scheme given to the rice exporters from 180 days to 360 days, enabling them work smoothly and with peace of mind.

Published 20 Mar, 2020 12:00am

COVID-19: Five-member bench formed

Lahore High Court Chief Justice Muhammad Qasim Khan on Thursday constituted a five member bench to hear identical petitions against inadequate measures to cope with the coronavirus outbreak. The Chief Justice will preside the bench with Justice Shujat Ali

Published 20 Mar, 2020 12:00am

COVID-19 affectees: Governor announces provision of ration

Punjab Governor Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar Thursday held a meeting with Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar and discussed over anti-corona issues besides sharing views about extending relief to those affected by coronavirus.

Published 20 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Business & Economy

Saarc CCI ceremony postponed

The formal ceremony for handing over the presidency of SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) to Pakistan from Sri Lanka, which was scheduled to be held in the last week of March in Islamabad has been postponed due to COVID 19.

Published 20 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Punjab decides to impose ban on public transport coming from Sindh

The Punjab government has decided to impose ban on all kinds of public transport coming from Sindh to Punjab, however, entry of goods transport will continue till further orders.

Published 20 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Justice Qasim Khan takes oath as LHC CJ

Punjab Governor Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar on Thursday administered oath to Justice Muhammad Qasim Khan as the 50th Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court (LHC) in a simple ceremony here at the Governor's House.

Published 20 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Cotton & Textile

Aptma writes letter to Lesco for revised electricity bills

The All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) has requested the Chief Executive Officer Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) to take up the matter with the Ministry of Energy, Power Division for issuance of current electricity bills to the export o

Published 20 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Coronavirus threat: Punjab CM sets up Rs 5 billion special fund

Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar has set up Rs 5 billion special fund to deal with coronavirus and ordered an indiscriminate crackdown on the mafias involved in hoarding of masks and sanitizers. He was presiding over a meeting of the cabinet comm

Published 20 Mar, 2020 12:00am

SC asks CDA chief to remove encroachments from Capital

The Supreme Court on Thursday ordered the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to remove the gate at D-Chowk to make view of the Parliament building clear from distance.

Published 20 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Coronavirus outbreak: PPAF launches awareness campaign

Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) Thursday launched an awareness campaign on the health challenges being faced by Pakistanis during the rapidly spreading coronavirus outbreak- a pandemic.

Published 20 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Javed Khattak appointed as CEO KP EZDMC

Consequent upon approval of the provincial cabinet of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in its latest meeting, Javed Iqbal Khattak has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Economic Zones Development and Management Company (KP-EZDMC), said

Published 20 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Government launches online portal to relay info about coronavirus

The Government of Pakistan on Thursday officially launched online portal to relay authentic information and numbers about the novel coronavirus.

Published 20 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Stocks

BAT issues capital markets update to facilitate Pak stock analysts

Pakistani financial experts and stock market brokers on Thursday carefully listened the capital markets update issued by Chief Executive of British American Tobacco PLC, Jack Bowles, and members of the management team in London via webcast.

Published 20 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Two martyred in attack on police check-post near Hangu

Two policemen embraced martyrdom in terrorists attack on a police check-post in Orakzai area near Hangu in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on late Wednesday night. According to details, armed miscreants opened fire at a police check-post in Mamuzai area in Or

Published 20 Mar, 2020 12:00am

ICT decides to close all malls, hotels, weekly bazaars, parks

The Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Administration on Thursday decided to close all shopping malls, hotels, weekly bazaars, parks, and the city zoo, as part

Published 20 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Business & Economy

IMC launches Toyota Yaris

Indus Motor Company (IMC) has launched all-new Toyota Yaris at an attractive price starting at PKR 2.349 million. The company has commenced bookings of its new vehicle from March 19, 2020.

Published 20 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Cigarettes and sugary drinks: Government urged to implement health levy decision

The Human Development Foundation (HDF) urged the government to consider implementing the health levy on cigarettes and sugary drinks on immediate basis to generate the much-needed pool of revenue for fighting the current situation of disease burden.

Published 20 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Brief Recordings

An interview with Shamail Ahmad Khawaja, former Federal Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources: 'Inequitable distribution of irrigation water responsible for rising rural to urban migration'

Shamail Ahmad Khawaja belongs to the Pakistan Administrative Service. He is a recipient of the most coveted President of Pakistan Gold Medal for his best all round performance at the Civil Services Academy, Chevening Scholarship for postgraduate studies a

Updated 20 Mar, 2020 03:38am

Taliban should agree ceasefire to stop virus: Afghan minister

The Taliban should commit to a ceasefire as a way of tackling the novel coronavirus, Afghanistan's defence minister said Thursday, while also vowing that security forces would respond to continued insurgent attacks.

Updated 20 Mar, 2020 10:58am

US fast-tracking anti-malarial drug to treat coronavirus: Trump

The US is fast-tracking the anti-malarial drug chloroquine for use as a treatment against the new coronavirus, President Donald Trump said Thursday.

Published 20 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Greek police find tunnel, weapons in anti-terror raid

Greek anti-terror police on Thursday said they had found a hideout and heavy weaponry in an Athens raid, with reports pointing a Turkish far-left group.

Updated 20 Mar, 2020 10:58am

UK apologises for Windrush scandal after damning report

The British government apologised Thursday for its treatment of Britons of Caribbean origin who were wrongly detained or deported for being illegal immigrants, after the publication of a devastating official report.

Updated 20 Mar, 2020 10:58am

Five Libyan civilians killed in Tripoli shelling

Libya's unity government said Thursday that five women were killed and five civilians wounded in Tripoli the previous day in bombardment by the forces of eastern-based military strongman Khalifa Haftar.

Published 20 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Two Turkish soldiers killed in Syria's Idlib

Two Turkish soldiers were killed in the rebel-held northwestern Syrian province of Idlib, officials said Thursday, the country's first reported casualties since a ceasefire began earlier this month.

Updated 20 Mar, 2020 10:58am

Putin says he's not a 'tsar' after 20 years in power

Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed comparisons to a tsar on Thursday, arguing he "works every day" and listens to what people want.

Updated 20 Mar, 2020 10:58am

EU's Brexit negotiator Barnier says he has COVID-19

The EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier has the coronavirus, he announced on Thursday.

Updated 20 Mar, 2020 10:59am

UK Queen urges Britons to 'work as one' to beat virus

Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday said that "we all have a vitally important part to play" in battling the coronavirus crisis, in her first official message on the outbreak. The Queen, who has been moved to Windsor Castle outside of London due to the virus,

Updated 20 Mar, 2020 10:59am

Woman with coronavirus gives birth to health baby in Greece

A woman who tested positive for coronavirus gave birth to a healthy baby at an Athens hospital, Greek media reported on Thursday.

Published 20 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Italy overtakes China as nation with most virus deaths

Italy passed a grim milestone on Thursday when it overtook China as the country with most reported deaths from the new coronavirus sweeping the planet.

Published 20 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Commodities

China's iron ore futures rise

China's iron ore futures rose on Wednesday on further policy support for an economy battered by the coronavirus pandemic, before closing well off the session's peak that was the highest in more than seven months.

Published 20 Mar, 2020 12:00am

PMEX daily trading report

On Wednesday at Pakistan Mercantile Exchange Limited, PMEX Commodity Index closed at 3,333. The traded value of metals, energy and COTS/FX was recorded at PKR 10.878 billion and the number of lots traded was 15,728.

Published 20 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Commodities

European wheat prices up on sharp rise in Chicago

European wheat prices rose on Wednesday, boosted by a sharp rise in Chicago and a slump in the value of the euro against the dollar, while traders struggled to assess the impact of the coronavirus crisis on global grain demand.

Published 20 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Commodities

Canadian canola futures rise

ICE Canadian canola futures rose for a second straight session on Wednesday, boosted by a weakening Canadian dollar.

Published 20 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Energy

US natural gas tumbles to 24-year low

US natural gas futures plunged 7% to their lowest since 1995 on Wednesday, alongside a 24% collapse in oil prices, as travel bans sparked by the coronavirus slashed the global outlook for energy demand.

Published 20 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Business & Economy

Activities of Karachi Port and Port Qasim

The Karachi Port handled 146,708 tonnes of cargo comprising 109,957 tonnes of import cargo and 36,751 tonnes of export cargo including 7,003 loaded and empty containers during the last 24 hours ending at 0700 hours on Thursday.

Published 20 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Cotton & Textile

Cautious trading session seen on cotton market

Rates of cotton fell on the local market on Thursday in the process of cautious trading session, dealers said. The official spot rate was down by Rs100 to Rs8800, they added. In the ready session, 1300 bales of cotton changed hands between Rs8550-9200, de

Published 20 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Commodities

CBOT corn crashes to 3-1/2-year low

Chicago Board of Trade corn futures slid 2.2% to their lowest since September 2016 on Wednesday on expectations that demand for ethanol will crater as oil prices fall due to the coronavirus pandemic, traders said.

Published 20 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Energy

India's February oil imports up marginally

India's oil imports in February rose 0.3% from the previous month to about 4.76 million barrels per day (bpd), according to preliminary tanker arrival data obtained from shipping and industry sources.

Published 20 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Money & Banking

Dollar resumes relentless climb in Asia

The dollar resumed its relentless climb against major currencies on Thursday as wild financial market volatility and worries over tightening liquidity triggered by the coronavirus pandemic sparked an investor flight into cash.

Published 20 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Money & Banking

Euro plunges to three-year lows in Europe

The euro plunged to its lowest level in three years on Thursday as demand for dollar funding stayed high despite the recent burst of liquidity injection operations undertaken by central banks around the world.

Published 20 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Money & Banking

Early trade in New York: dollar strengthens against basket of currencies

The US dollar rose against a basket of currencies for a third day on Thursday, as worries about the economic fallout from the coronavirus boosted dollar demand despite recent steps by world central banks aimed at alleviating market stress.

Published 20 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Previous Day

Forex
World
Commodity

Currency	Rate
USD PKR Interbank Selling / Dec 24	278.53
USD PKR Interbank Buying / Dec 24	278.33
USD to Japanese Yen / Dec 24	157.14
USD to Swiss Franc / Dec 24	0.90
Pound Sterling to USD / Dec 24	1.25
Euro to USD / Dec 24	1.04

Stock	Volume
Germany DAX 30 / Dec 23	19,848.77
S&P 500 / Dec 24	6,040.04
India Sensex / Dec 24	78,472.87
Tokyo Nikkei / Dec 24	38,986.40
Nasdaq / Dec 24	20,031.13
Hang Seng / Dec 24	20,098.29
FTSE 100 / Dec 24	8,136.99
Dow Jones / Dec 24	43,297.03

Item	Value
Crude Oil USD/Barrel / Dec 24	70.10
Karachi Cotton PKR/37.32 KG / Dec 24	17,785
Gold 10 Grams PKR / Dec 24	240,487.70
Gold Spot USD/Ounce / Dec 24	2,616.87
Cotton US¢/pound / Dec 24	68.78
Petrol/Litre / Dec 25	252.10

Gainers
Losers
Leaders

Stock	Price
Sec. Inv. Bank / Dec 24 Security Investment Bank Limited(SIBL)	5.99 ▲ 1.00 (20.04%)
Next Capital / Dec 24 Next Capital Limited(NEXT)	8.90 ▲ 1.00 (12.66%)
Pak Agro Pack. (GEM) / Dec 24 Pak Agro Packaging Limited (GEM)(GEMPAPL)	9 ▲ 1.00 (12.50%)
Ghani Chem. Ind. / Dec 24 Ghani Chemical Industries Limited(GCIL)	16.13 ▲ 1.47 (10.03%)
Pak Gulf Leasing / Dec 24 Pak-Gulf Leasing Company Limited(PGLC)	14.37 ▲ 1.31 (10.03%)
Popular Islamic / Dec 24 Popular Islamic Modaraba(PIM)	15.58 ▲ 1.42 (10.03%)
Mandviwala / Dec 24 Mandviwala Mauser Plastic Industries(MWMP)	16.59 ▲ 1.51 (10.01%)
Blessed Tex. / Dec 24 Blessed Textiles Limited(BTL)	301.77 ▲ 27.43 (10.00%)
Crescent Cotton / Dec 24 Crescent Cotton Mills Limited(CCM)	55 ▲ 5.00 (10.00%)

Stock	Price
S.G.Power / Dec 24 S.G. Power Limited(SGPL)	10.58 ▼ -1.18 (-10.03%)
Olympia Mills / Dec 24 Olympia Mills Limited(OML)	36 ▼ -4.00 (-10.00%)
J.A.Textile / Dec 24 J.A. Textile Mills Limited(JATM)	33.95 ▼ -3.77 (-9.99%)
Sanghar Sugar / Dec 24 Sanghar Sugar Mills Limited(SANSM)	26.16 ▼ -2.90 (-9.98%)
I.C.C. Ind. / Dec 24 ICC Industries Limited(ICCI)	9.85 ▼ -1.07 (-9.80%)
National Silk / Dec 24 The National Silk & Rayon Mills Limited(NSRM)	50.01 ▼ -5.43 (-9.79%)
Gulshan Sp. / Dec 24 Gulshan Spinning Mills Limited(GSPM)	4.10 ▼ -0.40 (-8.89%)
Crescent Fib. / Dec 24 Crescent Fibres Limited(CFL)	40.16 ▼ -3.81 (-8.66%)
Reliance Ins. / Dec 24 Reliance Insurance Company Limited(RICL)	11.55 ▼ -1.05 (-8.33%)

Stock	Volume
WorldCall Telecom / Dec 24 Worldcall Telecom Limited(WTL)	126,573,463 ▲ 0.05
Fauji Foods Ltd / Dec 24 Fauji Foods Limited(FFL)	66,984,381 ▲ 0.49
Cnergyico PK / Dec 24 Cnergyico PK Limited(CNERGY)	66,471,663 ▼ -0.27
Pak Elektron / Dec 24 Pak Elektron Limited(PAEL)	38,651,653 ▼ -1.53
K-Electric Ltd. / Dec 24 K-Electric Limited(KEL)	36,108,956 ▼ -0.18
Sui South Gas / Dec 24 Sui Southern Gas Company Limited(SSGC)	33,467,532 ▼ -0.50
P.T.C.L. / Dec 24 Pakistan Telecommunication Company Ltd(PTC)	33,030,118 ▼ -1.31
TRG Pak Ltd / Dec 24 TRG Pakistan Limited(TRG)	29,441,264 ▲ 3.35
Pace (Pak) Ltd. / Dec 24 Pace (Pakistan) Limited(PACE)	28,106,970 ▼ -0.18

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