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Print - 2020-03-21
China says Pompeo 'lying' in new coronavirus clash

China says Pompeo 'lying' in new coronavirus clash

The United States and China on Friday took their growing clash over the coronavirus pandemic to social media, with Beijing telling Secretary of State Mike Pompeo he was "lying through (his) teeth."
Published 21 Mar, 2020 12:00am
300 million children missing school meals due to virus closures: WFP

300 million children missing school meals due to virus closures: WFP

Some 300 million children who depend on school meals are missing out due to closures triggered by the coronavirus pandemic, the Worlld Food Programme said Friday The WFP pointed out that more than 860 million children - roughly half the world's student po
Published 21 Mar, 2020 12:00am
Virus deaths pass 10,000 as California shuts down

Virus deaths pass 10,000 as California shuts down

More than 10,000 people have now died in a coronavirus pandemic that has swept from China throughout the world, forcing the confinement of tens of millions in their homes. As the virus has marched westwards, the severity of the outbreaks and the focus of
Published 21 Mar, 2020 12:00am
US announces $1 million assistance

US announces $1 million assistance

The United States has announced to help Pakistan in the fight against coronavirus with an initial US$1 million assistance to bolster the monitoring and to give a rapid response to COVID-19 in the country. This was announced by US Principal Deputy Assistan
Published 21 Mar, 2020 12:00am
PM again rules out lockdown, promises package

PM again rules out lockdown, promises package

Prime Minister Imran Khan has stated that the government will announce a comprehensive package on Tuesday for businesses as well as industry to offset the impact of coronavirus pandemic on the economy, but ruled out complete nationwide lockdown for now, t
Published 21 Mar, 2020 12:00am
PSX snaps losing streak: BRIndex100 out of wild swings
Stocks

PSX snaps losing streak: BRIndex100 out of wild swings

Pakistan Stock Exchange Friday made a sharp turnaround on the back of fresh buying on attractive low levels and closed on strong positive note with healthy gains after seven days of turmoil. BRIndex100 gained 63.76 points or 2.08 percent to close at 3,125
Published 21 Mar, 2020 12:00am
Combined income groups: SPI inflation up 0.05 percent WoW

Combined income groups: SPI inflation up 0.05 percent WoW

The weekly SPI inflation during the week ended March 19 against March 12 witnessed an increase of 0.05 percent for combined income groups, ie, from 129.66 points to 129.72 points, Pakistan Bureau of Statistic (PBS) revealed.
Published 21 Mar, 2020 12:00am
Exports to suffer setback, delegation tells government

Exports to suffer setback, delegation tells government

As feared, exporters on Friday informed the government that Pakistani exports would suffer a setback in the coming months owing to coronavirus that has propelled the global economies into recession, and demand for Pakistani products, especially apparel, h
Published 21 Mar, 2020 12:00am
61 items exempted from duties, taxes

61 items exempted from duties, taxes

To effectively deal with the coronavirus (COVID19) pandemic in Pakistan, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has exempted customs duty, regulatory duty, additional customs duty, withholding tax and sales tax on the import of 61 different kinds of Diagnosti
Published 21 Mar, 2020 12:00am
SBP lends a helping hand to exporters

SBP lends a helping hand to exporters

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has announced a relief package to support exporters affected by loss of demand due to COVID-19 and to prevent export sector from any liquidity crisis.
Published 21 Mar, 2020 12:00am
EU believes policies skewed to favour Chinese companies

EU believes policies skewed to favour Chinese companies

The European Union (EU) has reportedly raised concerns on status to "Chinese" companies vis-à-vis European companies which intend to participate in different projects, well-informed sources told Business Recorder.
Published 21 Mar, 2020 12:00am
Atif Bukhari appointed BoI chairman

Atif Bukhari appointed BoI chairman

The federal government has appointed Atif Bukhari as new chairman of the Board of Investment (BoI). Sources said that the federal cabinet had approved his appointment as chairman BoI and notification to this respect will be issued by the Establishment Div
Published 21 Mar, 2020 12:00am
FIs must submit eCIB data by 10th of every month: SBP

FIs must submit eCIB data by 10th of every month: SBP

In order to bring uniformity in eCIB data submission timeline, all member financial institutions are required to submit their monthly data to the SBP by the 10th of every month, instead of 15th, the central bank said Friday.
Published 21 Mar, 2020 12:00am
Church 'forgives' sins of those stricken by virus

Church 'forgives' sins of those stricken by virus

The Catholic Church on Friday granted "forgiveness" - under certain conditions - for the sins of the faithful struck by the novel coronavirus. A decree published by the Vatican also covers healthcare workers and those who pray for their wellbeing. Relativ
Published 21 Mar, 2020 12:00am
75 bps cut in policy rate termed a 'joke'

75 bps cut in policy rate termed a 'joke'

Economists and industrialists have termed the 75 basis points (bps) reduction in policy rate by the State Bank of Pakistan 'nominal' and a 'joke' and not an appropriate response to deal with the coronavirus challenge and domestic ground realities.
Published 21 Mar, 2020 12:00am
'Need for all-out reforms - I'
Letters

'Need for all-out reforms - I'

This is apropos the first part of a series of articles titled "Need for all-out reforms - I" carried by the newspaper yesterday. The writers, Huzaima Bukhari and Dr Ikramul Haq, have argued, among other things, that "The right of access to justice is an i
Published 21 Mar, 2020 12:00am
PSM problem: a workable solution
Articles

PSM problem: a workable solution

Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) Board of Directors' incumbent Chairman is reported to have stated last week that PSM is in the process of revival and recovery. According to him, it needs to reinvent itself as a new organization.
Published 21 Mar, 2020 12:00am
Confronting the Covid-19 crisis

Confronting the Covid-19 crisis

More than anything else it was sober symbolism of the visit that gave it meaning. President Arif Alvi went on a three-day trip to China - March 16 to 18 - accompanied by Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Planning and Development Minister Asad Umar a
Updated 24 Mar, 2020 09:58am
PIA's most pressing problems

PIA's most pressing problems

The national flag carrier's many problems were bound to become part of the proceedings as the Supreme Court allowed Air Marshal Arshad Malik to function as PIA's (Pakistan International Airline's) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) with full authority on Wedne
Updated 24 Mar, 2020 09:58am
KP apex body takes preventive measures

KP apex body takes preventive measures

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Apex Committee in its meeting held here on Friday took various important decisions related to prevention and spread of coronavirus pandemic in the province. A meeting of the Apex Committee held here with KP Governor Shah Farman in t
Published 21 Mar, 2020 12:00am
KP PDMA releases Rs 1.73 billion for combating COVID-19

KP PDMA releases Rs 1.73 billion for combating COVID-19

On the directives of the Chief Minister Mahmood Khan, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has released a fund amounting to Rs 1.73 billion to districts for combating COVID-19 and provision of facilities in Quarantine Cen
Published 21 Mar, 2020 12:00am
Lethal virus: PTI to take political parties on board

Lethal virus: PTI to take political parties on board

In a coordinated effort to combat the spread of coronavirus in the country, the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Friday decided to unite all political parties as the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the country jumped to 464.
Published 21 Mar, 2020 12:00am
Advisory for factory owners
Business & Economy

Advisory for factory owners

The Chairman Hyderabad SITE Association of Trade and Industry Mazhar-ul-Haq Choudhry has advised the mill and factory owners to ensure availability of sufficient stock of masks and sanitizers for their workers as precautionary measures against Coronavirus
Published 21 Mar, 2020 12:00am
Country can't afford lockdown: Imran Ismail

Country can't afford lockdown: Imran Ismail

Sindh Governor Imran Ismail on Friday said that the country could not bear a lockdown-situation amid rising cases of deaths and confirmed patients of coronavirus in the country.
Published 21 Mar, 2020 12:00am
CJA calls for release of Mir Shakil

CJA calls for release of Mir Shakil

The Commonwealth Journalist Association (CJA) calls on the Government of Pakistan to release the Jang Group Editor-in-Chief, Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman, who has been in detention since 12 March.
Published 21 Mar, 2020 12:00am
PTCL & Ufone close sales & service centers
Telecommunication

PTCL & Ufone close sales & service centers

In the best interest of public health, Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited & Ufone have announced closure of Sales & Service Centers and Joint Shops across Pakistan till March 31, 2020, due to the increasing number of coronavirus cases emerging in
Published 21 Mar, 2020 12:00am
Call for a plan to stimulate economy
Business & Economy

Call for a plan to stimulate economy

Economic & Financial Analyst Ateeq-ur-Rehman has said that until the rooting out of this invisible enemy, COVID 19, the economy and all kinds of supply chains of our country will be complicated. This is a pandemic.
Published 21 Mar, 2020 12:00am
PHMA seeks economic relief package from government
Cotton & Textile

PHMA seeks economic relief package from government

Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers & Exporters Association (PHMA) on Friday sought an economic relief package from the government following the Covid-19 pandemic hitting the international trade badly.
Published 21 Mar, 2020 12:00am
COVID-19: 'Saylani to provide ration to 1.2 million people'

COVID-19: 'Saylani to provide ration to 1.2 million people'

Founder and chairman of Saylani Welfare Trust, Maulana Bashir Farooqi has said in order to tackle the deadly widespread outbreak of coronavirus across the country, the trust has decided to provide ration to 1.2 million poor and needy persons.
Published 21 Mar, 2020 12:00am
207 held for flouting Sec-144

207 held for flouting Sec-144

The city police in its ongoing crackdown against the violation of section-144 in the provincial capital have arrested 207 alleged criminals and registered 72 first information reports (FIRs) against them. "We have, so far, arrested 207 people for violatio
Published 21 Mar, 2020 12:00am
Coronavirus tally rises to 96 in Punjab

Coronavirus tally rises to 96 in Punjab

With 16 more fresh cases, the total number of coronavirus positive cases in the province of Punjab has reached to 96. So far, 71 of the cases have been reported from Zaireen who traveled to the province from the Pakistan-Iran border at Taftan, 15 from Lah
Published 21 Mar, 2020 12:00am
Punjab government to distribute ration among families

Punjab government to distribute ration among families

The Punjab government will distribute minimum 14 days ration among the families of people quarantined due to coronavirus. This was decided in a meeting chaired by the Punjab Disaster Management Unit Minister Mian Khalid Mehmood here on Friday.
Published 21 Mar, 2020 12:00am
Students in China are safe: Hassan Ali

Students in China are safe: Hassan Ali

Pakistani Students studying in Wuhan Textile University and other Universities of China were safe and sound and they were carrying their curriculum activities by "On-Line" study despite the closure of the Chinese Educational Institutions due to outbreak o
Published 21 Mar, 2020 12:00am
'Indus Water Treaty legalises theft of water by India'

'Indus Water Treaty legalises theft of water by India'

The 1960 Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) was never meant to be a Pakistan-friendly treaty, and amounted to a little more than the legalization of the theft of water by India that legally belongs to Pakistan.
Published 21 Mar, 2020 12:00am
Carrefour implements strict hygiene, safety protocols

Carrefour implements strict hygiene, safety protocols

Carrefour, operated in Pakistan by Majid Al Futtaim has implemented strict hygiene and safety protocols across all its stores in the country for the health and wellbeing of its customers amid concerns of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Published 21 Mar, 2020 12:00am
India hangs four over 2012 Delhi bus gang-rape

India hangs four over 2012 Delhi bus gang-rape

India executed four men on Friday for the gang-rape and murder of a woman on a Delhi bus in 2012 that sparked huge nationwide protests and international revulsion. The four were hanged before dawn at Tihar Jail in the Indian capital, prison chief Sandeep
Published 21 Mar, 2020 12:00am
New Zealand offered US$515 million bailout
Global Business Economy

New Zealand offered US$515 million bailout

Air New Zealand has been offered a NZ$900 million (US$515 million) loan to help the flag carrier survive the coronavirus crisis, the government said Friday. "Without this intervention, New Zealand was at risk of not having a national airline," Finance Min
Published 21 Mar, 2020 12:00am
US suspends all routine visa services due to virus

US suspends all routine visa services due to virus

The United States said Friday it was suspending all routine visa services around the world due to the global coronavirus pandemic. US embassies and consulates will still consider emergency visas if they have adequate staff, the State Department said.
Published 21 Mar, 2020 12:00am
Pentagon successfully tests hypersonic missile

Pentagon successfully tests hypersonic missile

The United States announced Friday it has successfully tested an unarmed prototype of a hypersonic missile, a weapon that could potentially overwhelm an adversary's defense systems.
Published 21 Mar, 2020 12:00am
Dutch tram shooter jailed for life

Dutch tram shooter jailed for life

Dutch judges on Friday sentenced a Turkish-born man to life in prison for a "terrorist" shooting on a tram in the city of Utrecht that killed four people. Gokmen Tanis, 38, was found guilty of opening fire with a pistol on a tram while shouting "Allahu Ak
Published 21 Mar, 2020 12:00am
US approval for Trump's coronavirus handling shoots up

US approval for Trump's coronavirus handling shoots up

A majority of Americans now approves of President Donald Trump's handling of the coronavirus crisis, according to a poll released Friday, in a sharp pivot from his previously dire numbers. According to the ABC News/Ipsos poll, 55 percent approve of his pe
Published 21 Mar, 2020 12:00am
At least 24 Afghan security forces killed in insider attack

At least 24 Afghan security forces killed in insider attack

At least two dozen Afghan security forces were killed Friday in an insider attack on their base in southern Afghanistan, officials told AFP, as fighting raged in the war-weary country while efforts to start talks with the Taliban stalled. The pre-dawn att
Published 21 Mar, 2020 12:00am
Finland is again world's happiest country: UN

Finland is again world's happiest country: UN

Good cheer may feel in short supply as the world reels under a global pandemic, but experts at the United Nations on Friday declared Finland to be the world's happiest nation for the third year running. Researchers for the World Happiness Report asked peo
Published 21 Mar, 2020 12:00am
Lebanon summons US envoy over ex-militiaman's flight

Lebanon summons US envoy over ex-militiaman's flight

Lebanon's foreign minister summoned the US ambassador Friday over the return of a naturalised American former militiaman accused of torture to the United States despite a travel ban, state media said. Amer al-Fakhoury, a former member of the South Lebanon
Published 21 Mar, 2020 12:00am
EU to suspend budget rules to help face virus crisis
Global Business Economy

EU to suspend budget rules to help face virus crisis

The European Commission said Friday that the EU would suspend its strict rules on public deficits to allow governments to open the money taps to face the coronavirus pandemic. In an unprecedented decision, Brussels triggered something called the "general
Published 21 Mar, 2020 12:00am
Dollar rally loses steam in Asia
Money & Banking

Dollar rally loses steam in Asia

The dollar lost steam on Friday after an ascent that left it set for its biggest weekly gain since the 2008 global financial crisis, as the coronavirus pandemic caused a stampede for cash that has trampled asset markets.
Published 21 Mar, 2020 12:00am
Early trade in New York: dollar eases
Money & Banking

Early trade in New York: dollar eases

The dollar eased on Friday after a rally that put it on track for its biggest weekly rise since the 2008 financial crisis, as a global scramble for dollar funding sent other currencies reeling. Currencies from the Australian dollar to the British pound tu
Published 21 Mar, 2020 12:00am
Dollar climbs across the board in New York
Money & Banking

Dollar climbs across the board in New York

The US dollar rallied across the board 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. The dollar index, which measures the green
Published 21 Mar, 2020 12:00am
Latam currencies come off record lows
Money & Banking

Latam currencies come off record lows

Latin American currencies lifted off record lows on Friday tracking an uptick in sentiment as central banks flooded world markets with liquidity and governments ramped up support efforts. Brazil's real and Chile's peso rose more than 1%, with the latter o
Published 21 Mar, 2020 12:00am
Most emerging Asian units rise against dollar
Money & Banking

Most emerging Asian units rise against dollar

Most emerging Asian currencies rose against a weaker dollar on Friday, but were set to end the week sharply lower as a scramble for hard cash and surge in demand for the greenback prompted investors to pare holdings in Asian bonds and currencies. The US d
Published 21 Mar, 2020 12:00am
Turkey's lira up
Money & Banking

Turkey's lira up

Turkey's main share index rose 3.2% on Friday, after it hit its weakest level since January 2017 earlier this week due to concerns over the economic impact of the coronavirus outbreak. The banking index was up 2.88%. The lira stood at 6.4820 against the d
Published 21 Mar, 2020 12:00am
Sterling climbs off 1985 lows against dollar
Money & Banking

Sterling climbs off 1985 lows against dollar

Sterling rebounded versus the US dollar and euro, climbing off more than three-decade lows against the greenback as central banks moved to ease a scramble for dollars. The British currency had been one of several to tank as investors rushed to put their m
Published 21 Mar, 2020 12:00am
Snooker world championship postponed
Other

Snooker world championship postponed

Snooker's world championship has been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic, the World Snooker Tour (WST) announced on Friday.
Published 21 Mar, 2020 12:00am
Virus hits Europe, Asia badminton tournaments
Other

Virus hits Europe, Asia badminton tournaments

Badminton's European Championships and Asia Championships have been suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic, officials said Friday, the latest sporting casualties of the outbreak. The global sporting calendar is in tatters due to the rapidly spreading v
Published 21 Mar, 2020 12:00am
Olympic flame gets muted welcome in Japan as Games doubts grow
Other

Olympic flame gets muted welcome in Japan as Games doubts grow

The Olympic flame arrived in Japan to a scaled-down welcoming ceremony Friday as doubts grew over whether the Tokyo Games will go ahead on schedule with the coronavirus pandemic causing chaos around the world.
Published 21 Mar, 2020 12:00am
Goretzka and Kimmich set up coronavirus programme
Other

Goretzka and Kimmich set up coronavirus programme

Bayern Munich players Leon Goretzka and Joshua Kimmich on Friday announced that they had launched a programme to help fight the coronavirus and had put in the first 1 million euro. "Germany is a at a standstill," the two 25-year-olds wrote on their platfo
Published 21 Mar, 2020 12:00am
Czech ice hockey great Zabrodsky dies at 97
Hockey

Czech ice hockey great Zabrodsky dies at 97

Czech ice hockey legend Vladimir Zabrodsky, a silver Olympic medallist and two-time world champion, died at the age of 97 on Friday, the Czech Ice Hockey Association (CSLH) said.
Published 21 Mar, 2020 12:00am
English rugby season ended below Premiership level
Other

English rugby season ended below Premiership level

English rugby chiefs on Friday confirmed the end of the 2019/20 season for all levels beneath the Premiership due to the coronavirus. The move applies to "all league, cup and county rugby", according to a statement from the Rugby Football Union (RFU), whi
Published 21 Mar, 2020 12:00am
China unveils more steps to support jobs as virus jolts economy
Global Business Economy

China unveils more steps to support jobs as virus jolts economy

China's cabinet announced more measures on Friday to support employment in the world's second-largest economy, which is expected to shrink for the first time in four decades because of the coronavirus outbreak.
Published 21 Mar, 2020 12:00am
AirAsia's Fernandes returns as boss after Airbus probe
Global Business Economy

AirAsia's Fernandes returns as boss after Airbus probe

AirAsia boss Tony Fernandes has returned to his post after being cleared by an independent probe, the Malaysian carrier said Friday, weeks after stepping aside amid a $4 billion Airbus graft scandal.
Published 21 Mar, 2020 12:00am
Saudi Arabia announces emergency stimulus, expects wider deficit

Saudi Arabia announces emergency stimulus, expects wider deficit

Saudi Arabia announced emergency stimulus measures on Friday that took its support for the economy to more than $32 billion as it tackles the coronavirus outbreak and lower oil prices, and said it is looking to borrow more to finance a widening deficit.
Published 21 Mar, 2020 12:00am