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Print - 2020-04-14
India, Pakistan plan to restart some economic activity

India, Pakistan plan to restart some economic activity

India and Pakistan are planning to partially reopen their economies to minimise the cost of restrictive measures imposed to halt the spread of the novel coronavirus, officials in the two countries said on Monday.
Published 14 Apr, 2020 12:00am
Commissioners must complete refund process this week: FBR

Commissioners must complete refund process this week: FBR

In a major move to expedite processing of sales tax refund claims of exporters, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Monday directed the chief commissioners to immediately deploy all resources for completion of process during the current week, keeping in vi
Published 14 Apr, 2020 12:00am
Sukuk auction announced to finance budget deficit

Sukuk auction announced to finance budget deficit

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Monday announced the auction for three-year Government of Pakistan (GoP) Ijara Sukuk to raise some Rs 225 billion in the next three months for the federal government.
Published 14 Apr, 2020 12:00am
Additional wheat allocated to USC

Additional wheat allocated to USC

The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet on Monday approved allocation of additional 200,000 metric tons of wheat for the Utility Stores Corporation (USC) from the Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation (PASSCO) with total
Published 14 Apr, 2020 12:00am
NCC meeting decisions deferred: Firdous

NCC meeting decisions deferred: Firdous

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information and Broadca-sting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said on Monday that the challenge of the coronavirus pandemic had shaken the healthcare system and the economy of the world, especially in the developing countr
Published 14 Apr, 2020 12:00am
Overseas Pakistanis: PM sends out SOS for donations

Overseas Pakistanis: PM sends out SOS for donations

Prime Minister Imran Khan has appealed to the overseas Pakistanis to contribute towards the "Prime Minister's COVID-19 Pandemic Relief Fund" as the country's poor people need their support in this hour of crisis.
Published 14 Apr, 2020 12:00am
Meetings on 15th, 16th: Ways to reduce power tariff to be explored

Meetings on 15th, 16th: Ways to reduce power tariff to be explored

Power Division has convened meetings of public sector Independent Power Producers (IPPs) and Generation Companies (Gencos) and private sector IPPs on April 15 and April 16 in Islamabad aimed at exploring different ways to reduce tariff.
Published 14 Apr, 2020 12:00am
Closure of border extended

Closure of border extended

The government on Monday extended closure of border for another two weeks in the wake of outbreak of deadly coronavirus in the country. The Ministry of Interior through separate notifications ordered the sealing of Wagha border from April 16 to April 29,
Published 14 Apr, 2020 12:00am
Government mulling allowing export of washable cloth masks

Government mulling allowing export of washable cloth masks

The government is considering a proposal to allow export of washable cloth masks/anti-dust pollution masks, which are not currently banned under export policy restricting export of surgical masks or N-95 masks.
Published 14 Apr, 2020 12:00am
Two pilots martyred as army aircraft crashes near Gujrat

Two pilots martyred as army aircraft crashes near Gujrat

A Pakistan Army aircraft - Mushaq - crashed on Monday near Gujrat during a routine training mission, according to the military's media wing. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said Major Umer, an instructor pilot, and Lieutenant Faizan, a student
Published 14 Apr, 2020 12:00am
Government working to raise testing capacity to 25,000/day: Zafar

Government working to raise testing capacity to 25,000/day: Zafar

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SPAM) on Health, Dr Zafar Mirza Monday said the government is vigorously working to increase the coronavirus testing capacity from 3,000 daily to 25,000 daily, adding that within the next few weeks, Pakistan will s
Published 14 Apr, 2020 12:00am
Many Muslims flout coronavirus ban in mosques

Many Muslims flout coronavirus ban in mosques

Sabir Durrani says he offers prayers almost every day at a mosque in Multan. He says that often a dozen or more men are in attendance - none of them wearing protective face masks.
Published 14 Apr, 2020 12:00am
Aleem Khan rejoins Punjab cabinet

Aleem Khan rejoins Punjab cabinet

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) MPA Abdul Aleem Khan has again taken oath as provincial minister at an oath-taking ceremony held here at the Darbar Hall of Governor House on Monday.
Published 14 Apr, 2020 12:00am
Social distancing is a must
Letters

Social distancing is a must

This is apropos a Business Recorder editorial "Need for better social messaging" carried by the newspaper on Sunday. I fully agree with newspaper's conclusion that "The cost of laxity is unthinkable and the best bet against the lethal virus, it bea
Published 14 Apr, 2020 12:00am
There's a silver lining even in Covid-19 disaster
Articles

There's a silver lining even in Covid-19 disaster

Pakistan has the silver lining of being down the line of domino of countries affected by the health and economic fallout the virus has had on the world so far. This gives corporate Pakistan with the advantage of learning from businesses and economy lockd
Published 14 Apr, 2020 12:00am
Revisiting economic impact of coronavirus
Articles

Revisiting economic impact of coronavirus

In an earlier article on the subject carried by the Business Recorder on 30th March we dwelt on the economic impact of the Coronavirus on Pakistan's economy consequential to the disruption of normal economic activities.
Published 14 Apr, 2020 12:00am
India's communal hate politics

India's communal hate politics

Demonization of Muslims being part and parcel of India's Hindu revivalist narrative, they are the target of a visceral hate campaign by the 'Sang Parivar' and sections of the media ever since some in Tableeghi Jamaat's annual gathering in Delhi's Nizamu
Updated 14 Apr, 2020 09:29am
Managing Ehsaas relief programme

Managing Ehsaas relief programme

The government must be congratulated for successfully rolling out the Rs144 billion Ehsaas Emergency Relief Program and beginning the process of providing 12 million poor families Rs12,000 each to cover a period of four months. It is precisely such steps
Updated 14 Apr, 2020 09:29am
1310 SU students win PM's Ehsas Undergraduate Scholarships

1310 SU students win PM's Ehsas Undergraduate Scholarships

As many as 1310 students of Sindh University have been able to bag poverty-need-and-merit based scholarships offered by Government of Pakistan under Prime Minister's Ehsa's Undergraduate Scholarship Programme - each worth Rs 40, 000 annually.
Published 14 Apr, 2020 12:00am
PIA flight with 110 Japanese, 24 Pakistanis lands at Tokyo airport
Global Business Economy

PIA flight with 110 Japanese, 24 Pakistanis lands at Tokyo airport

A special Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight from Karachi via Islamabad landed at the Narita International Airport, Tokyo, on Monday with over 100 Japanese and foreign nationals on board, who were stranded in Pakistan due to the coronavirus outb
Published 14 Apr, 2020 12:00am
Govt 'sleepwalking' into virus disaster, says Bilawal

Govt 'sleepwalking' into virus disaster, says Bilawal

Government risks "sleep walking" into a coronavirus catastrophe where death tolls reach levels seen in the West and perilously under-resourced hospitals are pushed to the brink, an opposition leader told AFP on Monday.
Published 14 Apr, 2020 12:00am
Minor killed, 4 injured in Indian firing across LoC: ISPR

Minor killed, 4 injured in Indian firing across LoC: ISPR

A two-year-old was killed while four people were injured in indiscriminate firing in the last 24 hours by the Indian army in various districts near the Line of Control (LoC), Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Monday.
Published 14 Apr, 2020 12:00am
Government likely to rationalise taxes on telecom sector

Government likely to rationalise taxes on telecom sector

The government is expected to rationalise taxes on telecom sector in the coming budget (2020-2021) and review budget proposals of the Pakistan Telecom Authority (PTA) to harmonize service sales tax (SST) 19.5 percent and the federal excise duty (FED) 17 p
Published 14 Apr, 2020 12:00am
NADRA closes centres, continues online service

NADRA closes centres, continues online service

In the wake of the spread of coronavirus, the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) had closed its centres, but public can apply for renewal of their Computerized National Identity Cards (CNICs) and for other facilities through the authorit
Published 14 Apr, 2020 12:00am
BR news item: clarification by SAPM Arbab

BR news item: clarification by SAPM Arbab

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Establishment Mohammad Shehzad Arbab has taken strong exception to a news item "Civil Servant settles for demotion to SAPM" appeared in Business Recorder on April 12, 2020.
Published 14 Apr, 2020 12:00am
Coronavirus fallout worse for women: Shabnam Zafar
Business & Economy

Coronavirus fallout worse for women: Shabnam Zafar

Former vice president of the FPCCI and founder President of the Khairpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Shabnam Zafar, has said that the coronavirus fallout is worse for women than for men, therefore the vulnerable women should get special attention of
Published 14 Apr, 2020 12:00am
Cloudy weather likely in most parts of country

Cloudy weather likely in most parts of country

Mainly cloudy weather is expected in the most parts of the country in the next 24 hours, the Met said. However, rain wind-thunderstorm is likely in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Potohar region, Islamabad, upper Punjab and Kashmir. Besides, dust raising winds
Published 14 Apr, 2020 12:00am
APR shortlisted for prestigious world award

APR shortlisted for prestigious world award

Asiatic Public Relations Network (Pvt) Ltd (APR), one of the oldest PR agency in Pakistan, was shortlisted for the prestigious Gold Standard Awards 2019, in the issues management and crisis communications category. Asiatic is the only agency from Pakistan
Published 14 Apr, 2020 12:00am
Dawood's meeting with taxmen today
Taxes

Dawood's meeting with taxmen today

The meeting of Abdul Razak Dawood, advisor to the prime minister on commerce, with the tax authorities at the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has been rescheduled for Tuesday (today).
Published 14 Apr, 2020 12:00am
Petition against creation of 'Tiger Force' rejected

Petition against creation of 'Tiger Force' rejected

In a huge relief to the federal government, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday rejected a petition challenging the creation of "Tiger Force" to help the government in relief operation across the country in the wake of coronavirus outbreak.
Published 14 Apr, 2020 12:00am
US welcomes development in Afghan peace process

US welcomes development in Afghan peace process

The United States on Monday welcomed the latest development in the Afghan peace process, following the Taliban and the Afghan government released some of the prisoners held in each other's captivity.
Published 14 Apr, 2020 12:00am
PM launches Tele School Television Channel

PM launches Tele School Television Channel

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday launched Tele School Television Channel and said the government would utilize all its resources to improve the channel.
Published 14 Apr, 2020 12:00am
BankIslami launches 'Ehad Sukuk'
Money & Banking

BankIslami launches 'Ehad Sukuk'

BankIslami Pakistan Limited has announced launching of Pakistan's 'First' Initial Public Offering (IPO) of Additional Tier 1 Modaraba Sukuk under the brand name of "BankIslami Ehad Sukuk," which will be listed and traded on Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX).
Published 14 Apr, 2020 12:00am
Interest-free loans for industrial units urged
Business & Economy

Interest-free loans for industrial units urged

President of Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI) Sheikh Umer Rehan has urged the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to offer interest-free loans to the industrial units. Sheikh Umer Rehan mentioned that the SBP has rightly showed its concerns for
Published 14 Apr, 2020 12:00am
Murad calls for new National Action Plan to contain COVID-19

Murad calls for new National Action Plan to contain COVID-19

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has called for developing a national narrative and action plan to contain and combat the coronavirus or the province-wise different actions and approaches would make no difference.
Published 14 Apr, 2020 12:00am
NA budget session: Panel set up for working out SOPs

NA budget session: Panel set up for working out SOPs

National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser Monday said that a committee has been constituted to evolve a strategy and work out standard operating procedures (SOPs) after discussion and consultation with the representatives of the government and opposition for
Published 14 Apr, 2020 12:00am
Leather Up Limited
Brief Recordings

Leather Up Limited

Leather Up Limited was established in 1990, as a private limited company. It was later converted into a public limited company in 1993. The company produces and exports leather related goods such as jackets, purses, wallets, laptop bags. Its export market
Updated 14 Apr, 2020 06:11am
Luxembourg blocks transfer of Iranian assets to US

Luxembourg blocks transfer of Iranian assets to US

A Luxembourg court has blocked a long-running US request to transfer $1.6 billion of dollars in Iranian assets to victims of the September 11 attacks, an official statement said on Monday.
Published 14 Apr, 2020 12:00am
Trump says OPEC+ planning to cut production 20m bpd
Energy

Trump says OPEC+ planning to cut production 20m bpd

Top global oil producers are considering slashing output by 20 million barrels a day under the terms of a deal to boost prices, US President Donald Trump said on Monday.
Published 14 Apr, 2020 12:00am
LOT abandons purchase of Condor from Thomas Cook
Global Business Economy

LOT abandons purchase of Condor from Thomas Cook

Polish airline LOT said Monday that it would abandon its plans to take over German carrier Condor, a former subsidiary of bankrupt travel operator Thomas Cook.
Published 14 Apr, 2020 12:00am
Amazon fills 100,000 jobs, will add 75,000 more
Global Business Economy

Amazon fills 100,000 jobs, will add 75,000 more

Amazon said Monday it had filled the 100,000 US jobs it promised a month ago to meet demands from the coronavirus outbreak, and was ready to take on 75,000 more.
Published 14 Apr, 2020 12:00am
North Korea's Kim reshuffles top governing body

North Korea's Kim reshuffles top governing body

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has carried out a major reshuffle of his State Affairs Commission, official media reported Monday, replacing more than a third of its members.
Published 14 Apr, 2020 12:00am
Tornadoes bring death, destruction in southern US

Tornadoes bring death, destruction in southern US

Tornadoes ripped through the southern United States, killing at least 11 people in Mississippi and leaving behind splintered buildings and downed powerlines, officials said Monday.
Published 14 Apr, 2020 12:00am
Gaza opens Egypt crossing to returnees despite virus

Gaza opens Egypt crossing to returnees despite virus

Gaza's Hamas-run government on Monday temporarily re-opened the border crossing with Egypt, shut due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, to allow hundreds of Palestinians to return. One-way traffic into the coastal enclave through the Rafah crossing would
Published 14 Apr, 2020 12:00am
Israel's former chief rabbi dies of coronavirus

Israel's former chief rabbi dies of coronavirus

Israel's former chief rabbi Eliahou Bakshi-Doron, who was known for promoting interfaith dialogue, died Sunday of the new coronavirus, the Shaare Tzedek hospital in Jerusalem said.
Published 14 Apr, 2020 12:00am
Germany moving towards gradual reopening

Germany moving towards gradual reopening

Germany is moving towards a progressive lifting of restrictions linked to the coronavirus outbreak as new infections fall and the number of deaths remains far below its European neighbours.
Published 14 Apr, 2020 12:00am
Back to work for some in Spain as death rate eases

Back to work for some in Spain as death rate eases

Workers in Spain's construction and manufacturing sectors cautiously returned to work Monday as the daily death toll resumed its downward trend and new infections fell to the lowest level in three weeks. One of the worst-hit countries in the world, Spain
Published 14 Apr, 2020 12:00am
Italy's virus death toll tops 20,000

Italy's virus death toll tops 20,000

Italy's death toll from the novel coronavirus topped 20,000 on Monday but its number of critically ill patients dropped for the tenth successive day.
Published 14 Apr, 2020 12:00am
COVID-19 is 10 times more deadly than swine flu: WHO

COVID-19 is 10 times more deadly than swine flu: WHO

The novel coronavirus is 10 times more deadly than swine flu, which caused a global pandemic in 2009, the World Health Organization said Monday, stressing a vaccine would be necessary to fully halt transmission.
Published 14 Apr, 2020 12:00am
PMEX daily trading report
Commodities

PMEX daily trading report

On Thursday at Pakistan Mercantile Exchange Limited, PMEX Commodity Index closed at 3,727. The traded value of metals, energy and COTS/FX was recorded at PKR 9.332 billion and the number of lots traded was 23,939.
Published 14 Apr, 2020 12:00am
Asia's gasoline crack hits new record low
Energy

Asia's gasoline crack hits new record low

Asia's gasoline crack hit a fresh record low on Monday, this time at a discount of $12.97 a barrel to Brent crude versus a discount of $12.51 a barrel in the previous session, as oversupply persisted due to lack of demand.
Published 14 Apr, 2020 12:00am
European gasoline margins rise
Energy

European gasoline margins rise

Northwestern European gasoline refining margins rose slightly on Thursday but remained deep in negative territory due to weak demand and swelling stocks.
Published 14 Apr, 2020 12:00am
Activities of Karachi Port and Port Qasim
Business & Economy

Activities of Karachi Port and Port Qasim

The Karachi Port handled 156,800 tonnes of cargo comprising 116,875 tonnes of import cargo and 39,925 tonnes of export cargo including 524 loaded and empty containers during the last 48 hours ending at 0700 hours on Monday.
Published 14 Apr, 2020 12:00am
Saudi Arabia buys barley
Commodities

Saudi Arabia buys barley

Saudi Arabia's state buyer SAGO said on Monday it bought 600,000 tonnes of feed barley at its latest international purchasing tender. The barley was purchased at an average price of $198.63 cost and freight (C&F) a tonne, it said.
Published 14 Apr, 2020 12:00am
Japanese stocks drop
Stocks

Japanese stocks drop

Japanese shares fell on Monday as investors worried about the impact of the coronavirus outbreak on corporate earnings, though stocks of key oil exploration firms rose after major producers finally agreed their biggest-ever output cut.
Published 14 Apr, 2020 12:00am
China stocks lower
Stocks

China stocks lower

Stocks ended lower on Monday in China, as the country's new daily coronavirus cases approached a near six-week high. At the close, the Shanghai Composite index was down 0.49% at 2,783.05.
Published 14 Apr, 2020 12:00am
Indian shares slide
Stocks

Indian shares slide

Indian shares fell on Monday, dragged down by financial stocks, as Asia's third-biggest economy looked set to extend a lockdown to contain the spread of the new coronavirus.
Published 14 Apr, 2020 12:00am
Southeast Asian stocks mixed on coronavirus concerns
Stocks

Southeast Asian stocks mixed on coronavirus concerns

Most Southeast Asian markets wavered between small gains and losses on Monday, as lingering concerns about the coronavirus pandemic outweighed a landmark output cut by OPEC+, while the Philippines rose on hopes of monetary easing.
Published 14 Apr, 2020 12:00am
Russian rouble up
Money & Banking

Russian rouble up

The rouble opened stronger on Monday, helped by rising oil prices after OPEC and allies led by Russia agreed to a record cut in output to prop up crude prices, though the coronavirus pandemic continues to haunt the Russian market.
Published 14 Apr, 2020 12:00am
Asian forex: Indonesia rupiah strengthens
Money & Banking

Asian forex: Indonesia rupiah strengthens

The Indonesian rupiah was one of two emerging Asian currencies to drift higher on Monday in the run-up to a policy decision, while broader markets grappled with the economic damage from the coronavirus that pushed many countries to enforce shutdowns.
Published 14 Apr, 2020 12:00am
Commodity currencies down in Asia
Money & Banking

Commodity currencies down in Asia

Commodity currencies slipped against their safe-haven rivals such as the dollar and yen on Monday as a record output cut agreed by OPEC and other oil producing nations failed to offset broader concerns about slumping global demand.
Published 14 Apr, 2020 12:00am