News Archives for Print - 2020-03-25

Print - 2020-03-25

NBP branches timing

In light of current COVID-19 (Corona Virus) emergency situation prevailing around, National Bank of Pakistan branches will open at 10:00 am and continue serving till 4:30 pm (Monday to Friday). The Bank is committed to provide the best possible banking fa

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Tax relief on import of essential items

Under the multi-billion-rupee relief package approved by Prime Minister Imran Khan, the government will abolish duties and taxes on the import and local supply of edible oil, the RBD palm oil, oil seed, pulses, sugar, wheat, rice, medical items/medicines

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Closure of all passenger trains ordered

In order to contain the spread of coronavirus, the management of Pakistan Railways has announced the closure of all passenger trains across the country till March 31. However, operations of freight trains will not be curtailed, reads the notification issu

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Petrol prices slashed by Rs 15

The federal government has announced to reduce the prices of all petroleum products by Rs 15 per litre for three months, which will have a revenue impact of Rs 70 billion.

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

PM announces Rs 1 trillion stimulus package

Prime Minister Imran Khan has announced a one-trillion-rupee ($6.308bn) stimulus package for the industry, businesses and labour, to protect them from the adverse impact of coronavirus.

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Stocks

PSX falls below 29,000 points: BRIndex100 bleeds

Pakistan Stock Exchange Tuesday witnessed a freefall right after the opening in the first trading session after the lockdown. With an eventual slump in stock prices, all the scrips hit lower circuit breakers. The 7th market halt, which lasted for 2 hours

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Two-hour market halt triggered

Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) Monday plunged over 5 percent just after opening of trading session and the PSX had to trigger market halt which lasted for two hours.

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

640 in Sukkur who tested negative allowed to go home

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has allowed 640 COVID-19 negative pilgrims housed at Labour Colony Sukkur to return to their respective homes but made them bound to follow the SOP they have been given. He took this decision in 27th meeting of Tas

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Olympics Games moved to 2021

The Tokyo Olympics were postponed on Tuesday to 2021, the first such delay in the Games' 124-year modern history, as the coronavirus crisis wrecked the world's last sporting showpiece still standing this year. Though a huge blow to Japan, which has invest

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Entire India goes into IHK-like lockdown

India's 1.3 billion people will go under "total lockdown" for 21 days to combat the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Tuesday.

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Sindh government intensifies Karachi lockdown

Sindh Inform-ation Minister Nasir Hussain Shah on Tuesday announced an "effective lockdown" across the city whereby all shops, except for medical stores, will remain closed from 8:00pm to 8:00am. During this time period, all shops, including grocers and k

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Medical equipment: SBP allows 100 percent advance payment

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Tuesday allowed Authorized Dealers (ADs) up to 100 percent advance payment for the import of medical equipment, medicines, and ancillary items for the medical treatment of COVID-19 epidemic.

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Key policy rate cut by 150 basis points on demand slowdown

The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the State Bank of Pakistan, in its emergency meeting Tuesday, has decided to cut the key policy rate by a further 150 basis points (bps) to 11 percent effective March 25, 2020 to address the noticeable slowdown in do

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Domestic flight operations suspended

The Government of Pakistan on Tuesday decided to suspend all types of domestic flight operations at all airports across the country with effect from 6 pm on March 26 in an effort to curb the spread of coronavirus, reported private news channel. The decisi

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

US deaths now 600, almost 50,000 confirmed cases

Six hundred people have died from the new coronavirus in the United States, while the number of confirmed cases now stands at 49,768, a tracker maintained by Johns Hopkins University showed Tuesday. The US has the third-highest number of confirmed cases g

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

US to reduce Afghan aid by $1 billion after Pompeo fails to break impasse

US Secr-etary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday announced a $1 billion cut in US aid to Afghanistan after he failed to convince Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and his political foe to end a feud that has helped jeopardize a US-led peace effort.

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Energy

Cut in POL products' prices: 'OMCs want protection against inventory losses'

The government should also take into account the inventory losses of the oil marketing companies (OMCs) while taking major decision on pricing of petroleum products.

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

January, February 2020: FBR extends deadline for filing ST, FED returns

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has extended dates of payment/submission of Sales Tax and Federal Excise returns alongwith annexures for the tax period of January, 2020 & February, 2020. The FBR has issued instructions to the Chief Commissioners Inland

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Army working closely with Gilgit-Baltistan government: COAS

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Tuesday said that Pakistanis would fight against COVID-19 as one. In a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the COAS said Pakistan Army was cognizant of the challenges faci

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

PSX launches Exchange Traded Fund for first time

Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), for the first time in its history, has launched a new product, the Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) on Tuesday. With this product, the PSX has joined the list of stock exchanges in the world offering ETFs which are investment prod

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Acquisition of shares of foreign company: ECC links permission to remit dollars to NAB clearance certificate

The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet has reportedly linked permission to remit millions of dollars to M/s Eastern Products Private Limited (EPPL) in Saudi Arabia subject to clearance certificate from National Accountability Bureau (NAB

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

PSX functions normally in challenging circumstances

The Board of Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) convened an emergency meeting Tuesday where activity at the Exchange was reviewed in detail. The board members expressed satisfaction over the smooth functioning of the trading activities during the day and comme

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Letters

'Pakistan Day musings'

Business Recorder op-ed writer Rashed Rahman in his latest contribution for the newspaper titled "Pakistan Day musings" has highlighted a key fact about how the Covid-19 is playing out in the developed world. According to him, for example, "the US

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Articles

Coronavirus redraws battle lines on airline emissions

European airlines crippled by the coronavirus have demanded lasting relief from environmental taxes - in a move that pits their immediate survival against longer-term emissions goals. The looming tax tussle underscores shifting environmental battle lines

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Articles

Gender, security and development - I

February 8, 2020 was celebrated as International Women's Day. Women marches were held throughout the world and in Pakistan's major cities in highlighting the growing awareness of women's role in national life. Any nation comprising half of the global popu

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Articles

Caring for the poor and vulnerable

The Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE), an official socio-economic think tank has voted for lockdown arguing that vacillation would not be able to contain the spread of the disease and its consequences on the economy would be unbearable in

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Lockdown: the only option

All over the globe the coronavirus pandemic is on an explosive trajectory, and in the process is dictating a new guidebook on inter-state and intra-state socio-political and economic relationships. It has vandalized world economies, degraded inter-state t

Updated 27 Mar, 2020 11:39am

Unanticipated challenge to budget-making process

The preparations for the budget for fiscal year 2020-21 began late last year, as is the norm, with ministries/departments projecting their current and development expenditure needs for next year, traditionally overstated to ensure their actual needs are a

Updated 27 Mar, 2020 11:39am

Taxes

KTBA seeks adjournment of all pending cases till April 7

Karachi Tax Bar Association (KTBA) has requested the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to grant general adjournment to all pending cases for the next fifteen (15) days till April 07, 2020 including the cases of the Appeal Commissioners' Offices.

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

LEAs personnel carry out joint flag march

The Pakistan Army, Rangers and police personnel on Tuesday carried out joint flag march in twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi to sensitize public with respect to fight against COVID-19. The Pakistan Army and the police also make announcements on loud

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Shehbaz urges Imran to call CCI meeting on Covid-19

Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly and PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif Tuesday suggested the incumbent government to cut down the interest rate by three to four percent, double the salaries of doctors, nurses and paramedics, airlift medical

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Civil servants suspended for corona patient selfie

Government has suspended six civil servants after they posed for a selfie with a coronavirus patient in a quarantine centre, an official said Tuesday. The selfie - widely shared on social media - pictured a group of men around the apparent patient, severa

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

IHC grants bail to 408 prisoners involved in minor offences

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) Tuesday granted bail to 408 prisoners imprisoned at Adiala Jail under minor offences in view of coronavirus outbreak. A single bench of IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah heard the case and approved bail petitions of 408 priso

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Government departments make arrangements against coronavirus pandemic

With coronavirus posing serious challenges with each passing day, the federal government departments have made precautionary arrangements against this pandemic with some departments completely closed, while others maintaining "skeleton staff" to take care

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Fight against coronavirus: Qureshi holds phone conversations with counterparts from France, Spain, Bangladesh

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Tuesday held telephonic conversations with his counterparts from France, Spain and Bangladesh by discussing ways to cooperate in fighting against the coronavirus pandemic.

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Engro reduces urea prices by Rs 240 a bag

Engro Fertilizer has reduced urea prices by further Rs 240 per bag to ensure national food security and support the farmers. According to the company, global COVID-19 pandemic has posed a significant challenge to not only global, but also national economi

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

'SAP Pakistan taking leading position in using real-time solutions'

In the wake of COVID-19, Pakistan's trade, logistics and travel organizations are called on to adopt real-time solutions to re-design supply chains and procurement to deliver medical supplies, support travel evacuations, and enhance staffing and procureme

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Minister hints at imposing curfew across Sindh

Sindh Information Minister Nasir Hussain Shah on Tuesday hinted at imposing curfew across the province as people ignored government's lockdown orders. Sindh government had imposed a complete lockdown for 15 days from March 23 in order to contain and curb

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

SC appealed to ban export of vegetables, fruits for three months

The Supreme Court was requested to direct for imposing ban on export of vegetable and fruits for three months, so that the people could get fruits and vegetable at affordable prices. Advocate Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta filed a petition in the Supreme Court und

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Covid-19 fund: Each PALPA member to donate three-day salary

Pakistan Air Line Pilots' Association (PALPA) has announced donation of three days of basic salary for Covid-19 fund. The letter issued by Capt Ch Salman, President PALPA to the CEO Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), said: "we would like to come forwa

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Business & Economy

Current economic woes: Auto industry seeks bailout package

The country's auto industry has also sought bail out package from government to deal with current economic woes. On March 23, 2020 the three top Japanese auto companies shut down their plants due to coronavirus outbreak.

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

NA speaker to chair parliamentary leaders' meeting today

The National Assembly Speaker, Asad Qaiser, would chair a meeting of parliamentary leaders on Wednesday (today) in the Parliament to discuss spread of coronavirus and its negative impact on economy, and formation of a committee to look into the measures t

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Business & Economy

'Rs 3,000 monthly allowance for the poor is not enough'

Secretary-General (Federal) of the Businessmen Panel for FPCCI, Ahmad Jawad, has said that the package announced by the prime minister is appropriate to some extent, but it's not sufficient to cope with the prevailing situation. "We should expect the gove

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Rare Risso's dolphin found dead on Clifton beach

Another fishnet has killed a rare dolphin breed, which the World Wide Fund (WWF- Pakistan's) expert identified as 'Risso', found on the city's shores, the WWF-Pakistan said on Tuesday.

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Fear grips Rawalpindi as suspect of coronavirus case surfaces

Fear gripped the local population in a congested locality in Rawalpindi on Tuesday when an employee of a private bank, suspected of coronavirus was shifted by rescue team who later turned out to be an asthma patient.

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Business & Economy

Prices of essential commodities increase after lockdown decision

Following the government decision to lockdown the country depending on the extent of spread of coronavirus, the flour millers besides increasing the wheat-flour price by Rs 140 per 25kg bag, from Rs 1,060 to Rs 1,200 per 20kg bag and also reduced the comm

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Energy

KE lauded for accepting bills of March sans ISPA charges

Capt A Moiz Khan, patron-in-chief, North Karachi Association of Trade and Industry (NKATI) and President Naseem Akhtar has welcomed K-Electric decision to accept electricity bills of March without ISPA charges as it was demanded to defer ISPA by NKATI

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Karachi Cantt station turns to crowded field after announcement of temporary halt

Karachi Cantonment Railways Station on Tuesday turned to supper crowded field as the panicked commuters thronged to station soon after Railways announced to temporarily halt all train operations with effect from Tuesday midnight till March, 31.

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Investment plan: SHC orders Sindh Endowment Fund dept to submit SOPs

The Sindh High Court (SHC) has ordered Endowment Fund Department Sindh to submit SOPs for an investment plan in coordination with provincial Finance Department.

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Covid-19 outbreak: APC calls for 'National Action Plan'

At an All-Parties Conference(APC) co-hosted by Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, chairman Pakistan People's Party, Mian Shehbaz Sharif, Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly, all political leaders expressed their appreciation for Shehbaz Sharif's and chairm

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Murad forms committee to look into ways to help daily-wage workers

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has constituted a four-member committee which will look into the mechanism on how to assist the daily-wage workers and other deserving people during the lockdown in the province.

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Stocks

Foundations/NPOs: Revocation of licences be initiated under same law: SECP bench

An Appellant Bench of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) observed that after revocation of the licences of the foundations/non-profit organizations (NPOs) under Section 42 of the Companies Ordinance, the SECP should initiate proceed

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Stocks

Comprehensive roadmap, policy initiatives proposed for capital market: Mirza

Khalid Mirza, Chairman Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) Policy Board has proposed a comprehensive roadmap and policy initiatives for the development of the capital market.

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Business & Economy

Soaps and sanitizers: PSMA seeks exemption from closure and transportation

Pakistan Soap Manufacturers Association (PSMA) has urged provincial governments to specifically exempt the manufacturing and distribution of soaps and hand sanitizers and other essential healthcare products during the lockdowns as these products are essen

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Money & Banking

No procedural snags in provision of relief to masses: Hafeez tells secretary finance

Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance, Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh has directed Secretary Finance to make sure that there were no procedural hurdles in the way of provision of funds for the relief measures for the people, while ensuring transparency and sim

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Business & Economy

Export sectors: Rs 100 billion refunds termed 'too little, too late'

The export-oriented sectors have termed Prime Minister Imran Khan's announcement of issuing tax refund of Rs 100 billion "too little, too late", which they say would not adequately help in response to coronavirus challenge. However, exporters have welcome

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Brief Recordings

Sitara Peroxide Limited

Sitara Peroxide Limited (PSX: SPL) was established in 2004 as a public limited company under the Companies Ordinance, 1984 (now Companies Act, 2017). It is a part of the larger Sitara Group. The latter started with its first company, Sitara Chemical Indus

Updated 25 Mar, 2020 04:58am

64 Ethiopians found dead

Sixty-four migrants from Ethiopia were found dead on Tuesday, crammed inside a freight container in the northwestern Mozambican province of Tete, a senior hospital official said.

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Instagram unveils new shared video feature to ease isolation

Instagram unveiled a new feature Tuesday allowing users to connect more easily over video and shared content as part of a move to ease isolation stemming from the coronavirus pandemic.

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Afro-jazz star Manu Dibango dies after contracting coronavirus

Veteran Afro-jazz star Manu Dibango died on Tuesday after contracting coronavirus, his representatives have confirmed. The 86-year-old Cameroonian, best known for the 1972 hit "Soul Makossa", is one of the first worldwide stars to die as a result of COVID

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Pentagon sees coronavirus crisis lasting several months

The Pentagon is assuming the coronavirus epidemic in the United States will last at least several months, and that some countries are at risk of "political chaos," its top officials said Tuesday. "I think we need to plan for this to be a few months long a

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

'Asterix' co-creator Albert Uderzo dies

Albert Uderzo, the co-creator and illustrator of the "Asterix and Obelix" comics that delighted legions of children and adults over the past six decades, has died aged 92, his family said Tuesday. "Albert Uderzo died in his sleep at his home in Neuilly, a

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

UK lockdown begins

Britain on Tuesday said it will open a 4,000-bed field hospital at a London exhibition centre to treat coronavirus cases in the latest measure to tackle the outbreak after the government ordered a nationwide lockdown. Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monda

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

UN urges easing of sanctions on Iran, others

The UN rights chief called Tuesday for any sanctions imposed on countries like Iran facing the new coronavirus pandemic to be "urgently re-evaluated" to avoid pushing strained medical systems into collapse.

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

EU regains 'crediblity' with Balkan move

EU ministers on Tuesday approved starting membership talks with North Macedonia and Albania, a move hailed as restoring "credibility" after months of damaging delays and bickering. The bloc's enlargement commissioner Oliver Varhelyi said the decision sent

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

France sets up military field hospital to relieve virus-hit east

A military field hospital set up by the French army began operations on Tuesday seeking to take the pressure off intensive care units in an eastern region badly hit by the coronavirus.

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Spain seeks NATO help

Spain's armed forces on Tuesday asked NATO for humanitarian assistance to fight the novel coronavirus as the national death toll touched 2,700 and infections soared towards 40,000. With the pandemic spreading across the world, Spain has been one of the wo

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

More than 2.6 billion worldwide told to observe lockdowns

More than 2.6 billion people worldwide will be in lockdown once India introduces its measures to fight the coronavirus pandemic at 1830 GMT on Tuesday, according to an AFP tally. The figure represents more than one-third of a global population the United

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Commodities

Canadian canola futures rise

ICE Canadian canola futures rose on Monday as US markets rebounded. Canola followed the US market with a moderate rebound and was well supported, in part because of firm soyabean oil prices, a trader said. May canola gained $5.60 to settle at $467.50 per

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Commodities

Good weather boosts Ivory Coast cocoa mid-crop

Rains in most of Ivory Coast's cocoa regions were below average last week but improved soil moisture after was helping the mid-crop, farmers said on Monday. Ivory Coast, the world's top cocoa producer, is still in the dry season which runs from November t

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

PMEX daily trading report

On Monday at Pakistan Mercantile Exchange Limited, PMEX Commodity Index closed at 3,345. The traded value of metals, energy and COTS/FX was recorded at PKR 8.076 billion and the number of lots traded was 17,626.

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Energy

US natural gas futures hold at 24-year low

US natural gas futures held near a 24-year low on Monday as forecasts for milder weather and less demand next week offset a projected increase in flows to liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminals and a cooler outlook this week.

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Commodities

China's iron ore plunges

Dalian iron ore prices fell 6% to hit the downside limit on Monday, leading another intense sell-off in China's ferrous metal futures as stricter measures to contain the coronavirus pandemic further darkened the global economic outlook.

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Business & Economy

Activities at Karachi and Port Qasim

The Karachi Port handled 199,944 tonnes of cargo comprising 166,376 tonnes of import cargo and 33,568 tonnes of export cargo including 2,662 loaded and empty containers during the last 48 hours ending at 0700 hours on Tuesday.

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Cotton & Textile

Listless activity seen on cotton market

No trading activity was witnessed on the cotton market on Tuesday, some brokers said on phone. The official spot rate was unchanged at Rs 8800, they said. Rate of seed cotton per 40kg in Sindh low quality was at Rs 2800, while the best quality was unchang

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Commodities

CBOT corn futures narrowly mixed

Chicago Board of Trade corn futures ended narrowly mixed on Monday as pressure from depressed margins in the US ethanol sector offset spillover strength from wheat and soybeans, traders said. CBOT May corn settled down 1/4 cent at $3.43-1/2 per bushel. Co

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Commodities

Russian wheat export prices stabilise after seven weeks fall

Russian export prices for wheat stabilised last week after seven weeks of fall, while domestic rouble prices continued their growth due to concerns among traders and farmers about potential export restrictions, analysts said on Monday.

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Money & Banking

Dollar down in Asia

The dollar slipped on Tuesday on signs tight funding conditions are easing slightly after the US Federal Reserve pulled out all stops to supply much needed greenback liquidity. The Fed announced unlimited quantitative easing and programmes to support cred

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Money & Banking

Dollar slips against basket of currencies in Europe

The dollar fell broadly on Tuesday, sliding for a second consecutive day after the US Federal Reserve stepped up measures to shield an economy reeling from emergency restrictions on commerce to fight the coronavirus.

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Money & Banking

Early trade in New York: Dollar falls broadly

The dollar fell broadly on Tuesday after the US Federal Reserve on Monday committed to buy an unlimited amount of bonds and as investors were optimistic the American government would pass a stimulus package to offset the economic impact of the coronavirus

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Money & Banking

Dollar rises in NY

The dollar gained on Monday as investors waited on US fiscal stimulus to blunt the impact of business shutdowns designed to halt the spread of the coronavirus, even after the Federal Reserve took unprecedented measures to support lending.

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Money & Banking

Nigerian naira at new low

Nigeria's naira eased to a new low of 360.50 to the dollar on the official market after the West African country adjusted its official currency rate before a central bank decision on interest rates on Tuesday. The central bank on Monday adjusted the naira

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Money & Banking

Asian forex: Emerging units rebound

Emerging Asian currencies rebounded on Tuesday as dollar buyers took a pause after the US Federal Reserve pledged unlimited quantitative easing and took steps to backstop a range of credit to cushion the economic blow from the coronavirus outbreak.

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Money & Banking

Turkish lira rebounds

The Turkish lira firmed 1.6% on Tuesday, rebounding off lows last touched in September 2018, after the local central bank and the U.S Federal Reserve doubled down on efforts to provide cheap funding in the face of the coronavirus spread.

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Money & Banking

Battered sterling wins a respite for time being

Britain's pound rallied over 1.5% against the dollar on Tuesday, set for its biggest daily jump since October, winning a respite from a battering in recent days in the face of the coronavirus. Sterling, along with most currencies, has seen a massive wave

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Money & Banking

Latam FX firms

Latin American currencies firmed on Tuesday, joining broader emerging market peers as the dollar slipped after the US Federal Reserve announced extraordinary stimulus that eased worries about funding bottlenecks. Brazil shares surged 9%, while Chile stock

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Money & Banking

Australian, NZ dollar rise on Fed's unlimited support

The Australian and New Zealand dollars climbed for a third straight session on Tuesday against the greenback which slipped after the US Federal Reserve assured financial markets of infinite support to ease liquidity woes.

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Football

Bayern Munich, other Bundesliga clubs, take pay cut

Footballers at Germany's top teams including Bayern Munich have agreed to take pay cuts to help clubs survive the economic impact of the coronavirus, media reports said Tuesday. Newspaper Bild reports that players and club officials at champions Bayern, t

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Football

'Mission impossible': A-League football, Australia's last active sport, pulls plug

Australia's last active sport, the A-League soccer, pulled the plug on its season Tuesday to curb the spread of coronavirus, with bosses saying it had become "mission impossible". The decision follows the National Rugby League and the country's most popul

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Football

Ronaldo donates equipment to Portuguese hospitals

Cristiano Ronaldo and football agent Jorge Mendes joined forces on Tuesday to donate lifesaving equipment to Portuguese hospitals struggling to treat patients with coronavirus. The two will donate equipment for two wards at Lisbon's Santa Maria hospital,

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Other

Child rapist Bob Hewitt to be freed on parole

Former tennis champion and convicted child rapist Bob Hewitt was on Tuesday granted parole which will see him released next month, the South African correctional services ministry said. Australia-born Hewitt was convicted in May 2015 of raping two girls a

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Other

Tokyo Olympics postponed over coronavirus pandemic

The 2020 Tokyo Olympics have been postponed to no later than the summer of 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic sweeping the globe, the International Olympic Committee announced Tuesday. The Games were scheduled for July 24-August 9, but after telepho

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Football

How Europe's football media keeps fans occupied during virus

From impassioned debates around the kitchen table to detailed reports about matches that never happened, Europe's football media are working overtime to give fans a welcome distraction during the coronavirus crisis. Former Tottenham, Barcelona and England

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Governor Punjab Corona Helpline Call Centre

To deal with cononavirus, Punjab Governor Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar on Tuesday initiated 'Governor Punjab Corona Helpline Call Centre' (0304-1112101) on which the people of Punjab and Azad Kashmir can seek guidance about the virus and its preventive measur

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Business & Economy

REAP demands inclusion of rice among export-oriented sectors

The Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) has appealed to the government for including rice among those export-oriented sectors which are enjoying different incentives and official backing.

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

LG polls postponed for nine months: Economic package being worked out to facilitate masses: Buzdar

The Punjab government is working on an economic package to facilitate the masses and the provincial finance minister will give a detailed briefing in the next few days. This was disclosed by Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar during video link media brief

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Rangers take control of entry, exit points of Lahore

A day after the Punjab government imposed a 14-day lockdown in the province; Rangers on Tuesday took control of the entry and exit points of the provincial capital restricting unnecessary travel of people to other districts or cities to control the growin

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Punjab Cabinet approves 'Corona Ordinance 2020'

The Punjab Cabinet, which met on Tuesday with Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar in the chair, approved "Corona Ordinance 2020' under which the government can control the movement of any person in a bid to prevent the spread of virus across the province.

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

NAB chairman holds meeting to review steps

A high-level meeting of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) presided over by Chairman former Justice Javed Iqbal was held here at the NAB Headquarters on Tuesday.

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Money & Banking

Banks restrict entry of customers amidst corona fear

Most of the branches of leading banks restricted the entry of customers on Tuesday from a minimum of two to a maximum five to the bank at a time as a precautionary measures against the spread of coronavirus in the country.

Published 25 Mar, 2020 12:00am

Previous Day

Forex
World
Commodity

Currency	Rate
USD PKR Interbank Selling / Dec 23	278.69
USD PKR Interbank Buying / Dec 23	278.43
USD to Japanese Yen / Dec 23	156.63
USD to Swiss Franc / Dec 23	0.90
Pound Sterling to USD / Dec 23	1.26
Euro to USD / Dec 23	1.04

Stock	Volume
S&P 500 / Dec 20	5,930.85
Nasdaq / Dec 20	19,572.60
Dow Jones / Dec 20	42,840.26
India Sensex / Dec 23	78,595.51
Tokyo Nikkei / Dec 23	39,161.34
Hang Seng / Dec 23	19,857.04
FTSE 100 / Dec 23	8,068.16
Germany DAX 30 / Dec 23	19,830.32

Item	Value
Gold 10 Grams PKR / Dec 20	234,311
Karachi Cotton PKR/37.32 KG / Dec 21	17,585
Crude Oil USD/Barrel / Dec 23	69.79
Gold Spot USD/Ounce / Dec 23	2,632.38
Cotton US¢/pound / Dec 23	68.96
Petrol/Litre / Dec 24	252.10

Gainers
Losers
Leaders

Stock	Price
First Capital Equities / Dec 23 First Capital Equities Limited(FCEL)	6.15 ▲ 1.00 (19.42%)
Dewan Sugar / Dec 23 Dewan Sugar Mills Limited(DWSM)	6.60 ▲ 1.00 (17.86%)
Cnergyico PK / Dec 23 Cnergyico PK Limited(CNERGY)	6.83 ▲ 0.92 (15.57%)
Jahangir Sidd(Pref) / Dec 23 Jahangir Sidd(Pref)(JSCLPSA)	9.50 ▲ 0.95 (11.11%)
Chenab Ltd (Pref) / Dec 23 Chenab Limited (Pref)(CLCPS)	3.75 ▲ 0.36 (10.62%)
Dewan Farooque Sp. / Dec 23 Dewan Farooque Spinning Mills Limited(DFSM)	4.72 ▲ 0.45 (10.54%)
Trust Sec.& Brok. / Dec 23 Trust Securities & Brokerage Limited(TSBL)	10.55 ▲ 1.00 (10.47%)
Dawood Equities / Dec 23 Dawood Equities Limited(DEL)	10.63 ▲ 1.00 (10.38%)
HBL Invest Fund / Dec 23 HBL Investment Fund(HIFA)	4.15 ▲ 0.39 (10.37%)

Stock	Price
Sindh Abadgar / Dec 23 Sindh Abadgar's Sugar Mills Limited(SASML)	36.60 ▼ -4.07 (-10.01%)
Blue-Ex Ltd / Dec 23 Blue-Ex Limited (GEM)(GEMBLUEX)	40.87 ▼ -4.54 (-10.00%)
J.A.Textile / Dec 23 J.A. Textile Mills Limited(JATM)	37.72 ▼ -4.19 (-10.00%)
Asia Ins. / Dec 23 Asia Insurance Company Limited(ASIC)	13.96 ▼ -1.55 (-9.99%)
Dar-es-Salaam / Dec 23 Dar-es-Salaam Textile Mills Limited(DSML)	42.01 ▼ -4.58 (-9.83%)
First Tri-Star Mod. / Dec 23 First Tri-Star Modaraba(FTSM)	14.01 ▼ -1.33 (-8.67%)
Dadabhoy Cement / Dec 23 Dadabhoy Cement Industries Limited(DBCI)	6 ▼ -0.54 (-8.26%)
Oilboy Energy / Dec 23 Oilboy Energy Limited(OBOY)	10.46 ▼ -0.93 (-8.17%)
Burj Clean Energy Modaraba / Dec 23 Burj Clean Energy Modaraba(GEM)(GEMBCEM)	8.45 ▼ -0.65 (-7.14%)

Stock	Volume
WorldCall Telecom / Dec 23 Worldcall Telecom Limited(WTL)	99,942,750 ▲ 0.14
Cnergyico PK / Dec 23 Cnergyico PK Limited(CNERGY)	66,327,753 ▲ 0.92
Pace (Pak) Ltd. / Dec 23 Pace (Pakistan) Limited(PACE)	43,280,462 ▲ 0.19
K-Electric Ltd. / Dec 23 K-Electric Limited(KEL)	40,644,312 ▲ 0.37
Sui South Gas / Dec 23 Sui Southern Gas Company Limited(SSGC)	40,619,788 ▲ 0.76
Pak Elektron / Dec 23 Pak Elektron Limited(PAEL)	38,585,180 ▲ 1.96
Fauji Foods Ltd / Dec 23 Fauji Foods Limited(FFL)	35,015,764 ▲ 1.32
P.T.C.L. / Dec 23 Pakistan Telecommunication Company Ltd(PTC)	33,026,526 ▲ 2.58
B.O.Punjab / Dec 23 The Bank of Punjab(BOP)	29,495,012 ▲ 0.26

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