News Archives for Print - 2020-05-15

Print - 2020-05-15

Fiscal deficit to hit at least 9.4 percent

The country's fiscal deficit will be significantly worse than projected this fiscal year, with the fallout from the novel coronavirus pandemic pushing millions into unemployment and poverty, according to government estimates reviewed by Reuters.

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

NAB seeks record of Ghulam Sarwar's properties

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has started complaint verification against Federal Minister for Aviation Ghulam Sarwar Khan and sought record of his residential, commercial and agricultural properties from additional collector.

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

Stocks

PSX maintains uptrend: BRIndex100 flat

A bullish trend continued on Pakistan Stock Exchange Thursday on the back of healthy buying, mainly in fertilizer sector.

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

Sugar millers express 'serious' reservations

Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) which is being grilled by the Sugar Inquiry Commission on alleged tax evasion, Benami transactions, subsidy on export and suspicious export proceeds, has expressed "serious" reservations about the 'hypothetical' wor

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

Dawood too appears before commission

Advisor to the Prime Minister on Commerce and Investment Abdul Razaq Dawood on Thursday appeared before the Sugar Inquiry Commission to record his statement.

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

Sugar probe: Sindh for withdrawal of letter

Sindh Government Thursday asked Sugar Inquiry Commission to withdraw its letter through which it had sought the appearance of Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah before it.

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

AQ Khan's petition: SC issues notices to SPD, AGP

The Supreme Court on Thursday issued notices to the Strategic Plans Division (SPD) and the Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) on Dr Abdul Qadeer (AQ) Khan's petition to allow him to move freely without any restriction.

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

Economy likely to grow by 2pc next year: Hafeez

The real worry for the government is how to increase gross domestic product (GDP) when there are so many tendencies towards its contraction, said Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh.

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

No laxity, compromise on anti-smuggling operations: PM

While terming smuggling a curse for the economy, Prime Minister Imran Khan has sought a comprehensive list on measures so far taken and people involved in two weeks.

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

9,350 PSM employees: Ministry revisiting lay-off plan

Ministry of Industries and Production (MoI&P) is revisiting its plan meant to terminate the services of around 9,350 employees of Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) en bloc on the recommendations of Pakistan Steel's Board of Directors (BoD) aimed at attracting po

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

Debt relief from China: Pakistan considering exploring possibility

Pakistan is considering to explore possibility of debt relief from China at bilateral level but discreetly, as debt relief on multilateral and commercial debt may be precluded, it is learnt.

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

Fitch Ratings enters China's credit market

The Chinese entity of US firm Fitch Ratings has been approved to enter China's credit rating market as part of the partial trade deal with the United States, China's central bank said Thursday.

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

MPS today: 100bps cut in key policy rate likely

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) will announce the Monetary Policy Statement (MPS) on Friday (May 15) with expectations of further cut in the key policy rate.

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

Local, foreign currency: Moody's places ratings under review for downgrade

Moody's Investors Service (Moody's) has placed the government of Pakistan's local and foreign currency long-term issuer and senior unsecured B3 ratings under review for downgrade.

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

June 1 school reopening plan 'not feasible': Saeed Ghani

The fear of irreparable damage to the academic activities due to ongoing pandemic emergency has become more evident on Thursday after the Sindh education minister's hint for revising earlier decision of reopening the educational institutions on June 1.

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

Matric, Intermediate: Sindh reveals grading formula for cancelled board exams

A meeting of provincial education ministers of all the provinces was held in Lahore on Thursday in which important decisions were taken regarding promotion criteria of IX, X, XI and XII students.

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

IX and XI classes: Govt decides to promote students without exams

Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mehmood on Thursday said that board examinations for matriculation and intermediate will not be held this year, and the students who had not taken exams of 9th and 11th classes have been promoted to next grades.

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

Money & Banking

THE RUPEE: Steady trend

Pakistan rupee gained strength on Thursday and regained the value to some extent it had lost on Wednesday against USD, Euro, UAE Dirham and Saudi Riyal in both interbank and open markets according to the dealers.

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

World leaders demand free coronavirus vaccine for all

World leaders past and present insisted on Thursday that any eventual COVID-19 vaccines and treatments should be made available to everyone, free of charge.

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

No home matches for Ireland as Pakistan and New Zealand postpone tours

Ireland will have no home internationals this season after it was announced Thursday that tours by Pakistan and New Zealand had been postponed due to the coronavirus.

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

No major change in tax rates likely during next fiscal year

No major change in tax rates is expected during the next fiscal budget as there is a general understanding in the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) that any change would lead to unnecessary hue and cry on the part of taxpayers, said the Board sources.

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

SEZs: CPEC body asks BoI, SBP, FBR to resolve issues

The Parliamentary Committee on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

CCP launches online merger, acquisition application filing system

The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has launched an Online Merger and Acquisition Application filing system to facilitate the local and foreign investors intending to invest in Pakistan through mergers, acquisitions, and joint ventures.

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

Debt repayments: Foreign reserves down by $59 million to $12.271 billion

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) reserves decreased by $ 59 million to $ 12.271 billion end of the last week mainly due to external debt repayments.

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

KBA suspends membership of Murtaza Wahab

The Karachi Bar Association (KBA) has suspended membership of Barrister Murtaza Wahab, a spokesman for the Sindh government, for three months.

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

WTO chief expected to step down

The World Trade Organization was expected Thursday to announce the early departure of its director-general, creating shockwaves at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic is ravaging the global economy.

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

SSGC accused of 'harassing' industrialists

President North Karachi Association of Trade and Industry (NKATI) Naseem Akhtar has urged Prime Minister Imran Khan to stop Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) from "harassing" industrialists and withdraw notices issued to registered manufacturers and exporte

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

SBP urged to include current LCs, bonded goods in TERF scheme

Industrialists have urged the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to include the current Letters of Credit (LCs) and already imported equipment, lying at ports, in the Temporary Economic Refinance Facility (TERF) scheme.

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

Palestinian shot dead

A Palestinian rammed a car into Israeli soldiers in the occupied West Bank on Thursday before being shot dead, the Israeli army said.

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

NTDC energizes first 500kV HVAC transmission line

The National Transmission and Despatch Company (NTDC) has connected high voltage direct current (HVDC) system with high voltage alternating current (HVAC) system first time in Pakistan.

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

DFS providers: Karandaaz to launch new programme to subsidise design thinking services

Karandaaz has announced the launch of a new programme to subsidize design thinking services for Digital Financial Service (DFS) providers offering products and services through mobile and web-based platforms.

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

Covid-19: Minister welcomes 150 million euros aid offer by EU

The Federal Minister for Interior, Brig Ijaz Ahmad Shah (retired) met with the Ambassador of European Union, Androulla Kaminara, along with Ambassador of Netherlands Wouter Plomp and Czech Republic's Ambassador Tomas Smentanka at the Ministry of Interior

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

Letters

Profundity of cost audit

In a turbulent time Pakistan is in, the Competition Commission of Pakistan's (CCP's) recommendation to Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) to meaningfully proceed with the cost audit going in cement, sugar, ghee/oil, fertilizer and wheat

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

Articles

Why the United States might not open up to international travellers anytime soon

The US government largely shut down international travel to the United States in March with a series of rapid-fire moves, but restarting it will likely be a longer, more piecemeal process that could be complicated by rising tensions with China.

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

Articles

A post-Covid-19 world

Major wars and pandemics, are the sort of happenings that change the world as we know it before they have happened. The Black Death lead to massive deaths in the Middle Ages, also it broke the back of feudalism and created a working class. On the positive

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

Articles

Budgets 2020 amid Covid-19 crisis-I: Revival, growth and revenues

"If we were to construe Entry 52 of the Legislative List keeping in view the above meanings of the expression "in lieu of", it becomes evident that the Legislature has the option instead of invoking Entry 47 for imposing taxes on income, it can impose the

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

Business-as-usual in parliament

After an almost two-month hiatus because of the Covid-19 pandemic, parliament convened after some difficulty and amidst concerns about the safety of parliamentarians during the sessions. The expectation generally may have been that the opposing sides of t

Updated 16 May, 2020 02:25am

National Finance Commission ToRs

The Finance Ministry after approval from President Arif Alvi has notified the constitution of the National Finance Commission (NFC) as required under Article 160 of the constitution to be chaired by the Advisor to the Prime Minister on Finance in the abse

Updated 16 May, 2020 02:22am

Money & Banking

IMF official meets Khusro

The Resident Representative of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Pakistan, Teresa Daban Sanchez, called on Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Makhdum Khusro Bakhtyar in his office, said a press release issued on Thursday.

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

Bilawal terms NA session 'total disappointment'

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has termed the National Assembly session as a "total disappointment" for the people, saying that Prime Minister Imran Khan and his government failed to save the nation from the danger of the Covid-19 pandemic, and

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

Senate rejects 'propaganda' against China on coronavirus

The Upper House of the Parliament on Thursday dismissed as baseless the "propaganda against China from certain quarters, which stems from geopolitical rivalry and is more an attempt to divert attention from their own internal failings as it has no factual

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

Bilawal's directive to Dharijo

Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has directed Sindh provincial minister to take concrete steps to protect workers in industries from the coronavirus.

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

Over Rs 101 billion distributed under Ehsaas Programme so far

The amount distributed by the federal government under ongoing Ehsaas Emergency Cash Programme, has crossed Rs100 billion among over 8.2 million families.

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

Three bodies of Pakistanis transported to Lahore from Spain

Three bodies of Pakistani nationals, who lost their lives due to coronavirus in Spain, were transported to Lahore on Thursday.

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

Energy

LNG scam: NAB hands over questionnaire to Abbasi

Former prime minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Thursday appeared before the National Accountability Bureau (NAB)'s investigation team in connection with the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) scam.

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

Covid-19 cases surge to 36,717 across country

The number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in Pakistan has surged to 36,717 on Thursday after confirmation of fresh infections countrywide. According to the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) total confirmed corona cases in Pakistan have reached 36,

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

Articles

Partly Facetious: What's a checkmate?

"Hip, hip, hooray The Khan."

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

Business & Economy

'Economic damage caused by coronavirus is yet to be ascertained'

President of Pakistan Businessmen and Intellectuals Forum, Mian Zahid Hussain, has proposed the establishment of a national authority to combat the virus which must include health experts, industrialists, traders, academicians, media professionals which c

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

Country to have 700 more ventilators this month, NDMA chief

The Chairman of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Lieutenant-General Mohammad Afzal, has said that 700 more ventilators will be provided this month to fight the coronavirus in the country.

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

JUI-F local leader shot at

Unidentified men on Thursday shot and injured Maulana Gull Rafiq Hassanzai, a local leader of the JUI-F, here in the jurisdictions of Pak Colony Police Station.

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

Sindh government to establish 6 infectious diseases hospitals

Sindh government has decided to establish six infectious diseases hospitals, one each at the divisional headquarter in the province.

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

Business & Economy

FPCCI urges SBP to bring policy rate at 5 percent

The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) president Mian Anjum Nisar has urged the Spate Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to bring down the interest rate to 5 percent.

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

Business & Economy

Appointment of new DG (HR&GA) EOBI welcomed

Chairman Hyderabad SITE Association of Trade and Industry Mazhar-ul-Haq Choudhry on Thursday felicitated Shazia Rizvi on her appointment as Director General (HR & GA) Employees Old-Age Benefits Institutions.

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

Indo-Pakistan border area faces impending locust invasion: Met

Locust attacks pose an "unprecedented" threat to the country's food security with the livelihood of farmers, as migration of the insects has started from spring breeding areas into Indo-Pak border parts, the Met Office said on Thursday.

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

173 policemen test positive for Covid-19

As many as 173 police personnel including officers in Sindh province have so far been tested positive for the coronavirus (Covid-19).

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

Minister hints at strict lockdown if guidelines violation continues

Sindh Information Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah has said all the shopkeepers who were not complying with the agreed standard operating procedures (SOPs) had been warned that if they continue to do so, their shops would be closed.

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

Covid-19 death toll tops 243: Murad urges masses not to be influenced by false propaganda

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah Thursday said 758 new cases of coronavirus have been detected by testing 4,487 samples which shows 17 percent of the tests while nine more patients died taking the death toll to 243.

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

PU announces semester exam schedule

After approval of recommendations of Academic Council from Syndicate through circulation, Punjab University administration has announced the schedule of summer break and semester examinations.

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

Cricket

Nadeem Khan appointed PCB's Director HP

Former Test spinner Nadeem Khan has been appointed as the PCB's Director - High Performance (HP) following a robust recruitment process. Nadeem was one of the 16 candidates who had applied for the role and was subsequently interviewed by Iqbal Qasim (Chai

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

18th Amendment needs modification instead of repealing: Kamal

Pak Sarzameen Party Chairman Syed Mustafa Kamal on Thursday said that the 18th constitutional Amendment needs to be amended instead of repealing it altogether.

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

IT & Computers

July-March: IT, ITeS export remittances surge to $901.486 million

The country's information technology (IT) and IT enabled Services (ITeS) export remittances have surged to $901.486 million at growth rate of 23.94 percent during the first nine months (July-March) of fiscal year 2019-20 compared to $727.353 million durin

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

Covid-19 may spread beyond handling capacity, warns governor

Punjab Governor Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar has warned that non-seriousness shown by the people after ease in lockdown may lead to spread of Covid-19 beyond the handling capacity of healthcare system.

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

Pakistan concerned over Israeli plan to annex illegally occupied West Bank

Pakistan on Thursday expressed grave concerns over Israeli plan to annex the illegally occupied West Bank and reiterated its call for establishment of a viable, independent and contiguous State of Palestine with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

KSBL appoints Mubashar Hameed as Rector

The Board of Karachi School of Business and Leadership (KSBL) has appointed Mubashar Hameed as the Rector. In addition to his role as Rector KSBL, Hameed will also serve as CEO of Karachi Education Initiative (KEI). The KEI is the sponsoring and fund rais

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

ICT admin accelerates action against SOPs violators

The Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Administration has accelerated action against violators of standard operating procedures (SOPs) framed to control the spread of deadly coronavirus.

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

Police Order, 2002: IHC gives government one week to submit reply

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) gave the federal government one week to submit reply in petition related to difficulties being faced during police investigation of major crimes and implementation of the Police Order, 2002.

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

Taxes

FBR relieves three Grade-21 IRS officials

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has compulsorily relieved three Grade-21 officials of Inland Revenue Service from their duties with immediate effect to ensure their joining to new place of postings.

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

Taxes

Senior customs officials: FBR revises structure of Licensing Committee

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has revised structure of Licensing Committee of senior customs officials for grant of licence to the company to track and monitor various types of cargoes covering transit cargo, export of petroleum, oil and lubricants (

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

Buzdar lays foundation stone of cardio institute, other projects

Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar laid the foundation stone of Sardar Fateh Muhammad Khan Buzdar Institute of Cardiology in DG Khan on Thursday.

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

Conditional opening of gyms, salons allowed in Punjab

The Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department (PSHD) of Punjab has allowed conditional permission to reopen gymnasiums, health clubs, salons and barbershops under a set of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and guidelines during the lockdown.

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

Cotton & Textile

KCBF seeks separate cotton ministry

The target of production of 15 million bales of cotton according to the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan can only be achieved if the government should establish a separate cotton ministry to look after the affairs of the cotton trade exclusively.

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

LDA demolishes 12 buildings for violating bylaws

In an operation against illegal constructions, the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) on Thursday demolished 12 buildings for violating the building bylaws.

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

LHC suspends sentence of convict, releases him on bail

The Lahore High Court on Thursday suspended the sentence of Saadat Amin of Sargodha and released him on bail convicted for being part of an international nexus of child pornographers.

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

215 shops sealed in Lahore for violating SOPs

The District Administration Lahore on Thursday took stern action against shops involved in the violation of Covid-19 related SOPs and sealed 215 shops of busy markets located in diverse parts of the provincial capital.

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

All efforts being made to control economic losses: Razak

Government is making all out efforts to control the economic losses incurred by our fragile economy in the wake of coronavirus lockdown, said Abdul Razak Dawood, Advisor to PM on Commerce, Textile and Investment.

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

Covid-19 infection surges among dialysis, transplant & cancer patients at SIUT

The recent data from SIUT has revealed a surge of Covid infections in dialysis, transplant and cancer patients at SIUT. Due to the spread in the community last week, 55 additional patients of dialysis, transplant and cancer have been admitted in SIUT over

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

Super tax for TDPs rehabilitation: IR commissioner can invoke, utilise provisions of Section 4B, rules LHC

The Lahore High Court (LHC) has ruled that the commissioner Inland Revenue can very well invoke and utilise the provisions of Section 4B (super tax) in case of super tax for rehabilitation of the temporarily displaced persons (TDPs).

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

President asks NTU to play its role in helping textile industry

President Dr Arif Alvi has asked the National Textile University (NTU), Faisalabad, to play its role in helping the textile industry of the country in value addition and diversification of its product.

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

Stocks

AFS equity investments: SECP allows firms relief from requirements of IAS 39

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) on Thursday allowed companies/entities that are applying IAS 39/principles of IAS 39 (for Available for Sale equity instruments), relief from the requirements in relation to their Available for Sal

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

Brief Recordings

COVID-19: Economic consequences for women

The novel Corona Virus Disease that was first detected in China in Nov-2019, has spread to 216 countries. As of May 14, 2020 status report by World Health Organization, over 4.2 million cases have been reported worldwide with 290,000 plus deaths. The Covi

Updated 15 May, 2020 04:26am

Taxes

Virus to slash almost 100 billion euros off Germany's 2020 tax intake

Germany expects the coronavirus pandemic to wipe almost 100 billion euros off the 2020 tax intake, estimates published Thursday by the finance ministry showed.

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

Money & Banking

One-third of US workers who lost jobs can't pay bills: Fed

Over a third of US workers who lost jobs or saw their hours reduced because of the coronavirus pandemic will have trouble paying their bills and nearly half do not have an extra $400 for an emergency, according to a survey released Thursday.

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

Global Business Economy

Nearly 600,000 Australians lose jobs

Almost 600,000 Australians lost their jobs as the virus shutdown took hold in April, the steepest monthly drop since records began more than 40 years ago, data showed Thursday.

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

Money & Banking

Pandemic to cost global insurers $203 billion: Lloyd's

The deadly coronavirus pandemic will cost the global insurance industry about $203 billion (188 billion euros), Lloyd's of London insurance market forecast on Thursday.

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

Global Business Economy

Boeing scores deals to deliver over 1,000 missiles to Saudi Arabia

Boeing has been awarded two contracts worth more than $2 billion for the delivery of more than 1,000 air-to-surface and anti-ship missiles to Saudi Arabia, the Pentagon said Wednesday.

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

Global Business Economy

Second layoffs, backlogs wave keeps US jobless claims sky high

The novel coronavirus crisis continues to pummel the US labour market, with the number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits falling less than expected last week, suggesting a second wave of layoffs in industries and jobs not initially impacted by

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

Typhoon forces risky evacuations in virus-hit Philippines

A powerful typhoon hit the central Philippines Thursday, forcing a complicated and risky evacuation for tens of thousands of people, many of them heading to cramped shelters without proper safety gear to guard against the coronavirus.

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

Indian journalist Dhaval Patel arrested, charged with sedition

Authorities in Gujarat must immediately release journalist Dhaval Patel and drop all charges against him, the Committee to Protect Journalists said on Wednesday.

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

Burundi expels top WHO team

Burundi has ordered the expulsion of the World Health Organization's (WHO) expert team backing the country's response to the coronavirus pandemic, just days before a presidential election.

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

Malaysia drops charges against 'Wolf of Wall Street' producer

Malaysian prosecutors dropped Thursday 1MDB-linked charges against one of the producers of Hollywood hit "The Wolf of Wall Street" after he struck a deal that should see authorities recover over $100 million.

Updated 15 May, 2020 08:21am

EU court rules against Hungary over migrant centres

The EU's top court on Thursday ruled against Hungary over its "transit zone" camps for migrants, dealing a fresh blow to the right-wing Budapest government and its hardline anti-immigration policies.

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

Russia probes FT, NYT after virus death toll reports

Russia on Thursday launched a probe into the Financial Times and the New York Times after the newspapers said local authorities could be vastly under-reporting deaths from the coronavirus in the country.

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

Trump threatens China ties, says in no mood for Xi talks

US President Donald Trump further hardened his rhetoric towards China on Thursday, saying he no longer wishes to speak with Xi Jinping and warning darkly he might cut ties over the rival superpower's handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

Commodities

PMEX daily trading report

On Wednesday at Pakistan Mercantile Exchange Limited, PMEX Commodity Index closed at 3,734.

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

Commodities

Canadian canola futures down

ICE Canadian canola futures edged down on Wednesday mostly on lower soyabean and soy oil prices.

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

Commodities

Ukraine's grain harvest seen falling

Ukraine's 2020 grain harvest is likely to fall by 3.5% to 72.52 million tonnes because of a smaller yield caused by poor weather despite a larger sowing area, analyst ProAgro said on Tuesday.

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

Commodities

Euronext wheat falls to one week low

Euronext wheat fell to one week low on Wednesday, pressured by a sharp drop in Chicago following a US government forecast of record world stocks next season and beneficial rain for crops across Europe.

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

Energy

US natural gas futures fall to four-week low

US natural gas futures fell to a four-week low on Wednesday on forecasts for domestic demand and exports to drop as businesses remain closed due to government lockdowns to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

Business & Economy

Activities of Karachi Port and Port Qasim

The Karachi Port handled 119,306 tonnes of cargo comprising 79,329 tonnes of import cargo and 39,977 tonnes of export cargo including 7,877 loaded and empty containers during the last 24 hours ending at 0700 hours on Thursday.

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

Cotton & Textile

Cotton business likely to resume fully after Ramazan

Traders are hopeful that activities on cotton market will fully resume after Ramazan.

Published 15 May, 2020 12:05am

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	157.10
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
S&P 500 / Dec 23	5,974.07
Nasdaq / Dec 23	19,764.89
Dow Jones / Dec 23	42,906.95
Germany DAX 30 / Dec 23	19,848.77
India Sensex / Dec 24	78,616.57
Tokyo Nikkei / Dec 24	39,036.85
Hang Seng / Dec 24	20,098.29
FTSE 100 / Dec 24	8,130.86

Item	Value
Gold 10 Grams PKR / Dec 23	241,087.80
Petrol/Litre / Dec 24	252.10
Crude Oil USD/Barrel / Dec 24	69.54
Karachi Cotton PKR/37.32 KG / Dec 24	17,785
Gold Spot USD/Ounce / Dec 24	2,618.54
Diesel/Litre / Dec 24	255.38

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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