News Archives for Print - 2020-05-31

Print - 2020-05-31

Agri growth target likely to be missed by 1 percent

The country's agriculture sector growth target for the outgoing financial year is likely to be missed by one percent as it is projected at 2.5 percent against the set target of 3.5 percent due to missed sowing targets.

Published 31 May, 2020 12:04am

Body formed to examine, finalise case of appointments

The government has constituted a committee under the chairmanship of Secretary Establishment Division, with Additional Secretaries Cabinet and Law and Justice as members to examine and finalize the cases of appointments (including regular, additional char

Published 31 May, 2020 12:04am

India creating pretext for 'false flag' operation, UN told

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi Saturday apprised the United Nations and its Security Council of the Indian allegations of so-called "launch pads" of "infiltrators", saying the real motive behind blaming Pakistan is to create a pretext for a "false

Updated 13 Jun, 2020 11:12pm

Ship carrying ATT wheat, urea reaches Gwadar Port: Asim

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting, Lieutenant General Asim Saleem Bajwa (retired) has said first bulk cargo ship "MV Manet" carrying wheat and urea of Afghan Transit Trade reached Gwadar this week.

Published 31 May, 2020 12:04am

Javed Jabbar resigns from 10th NFC

Former senator Javed Jabbar Saturday announced his resignation from the 10th National Finance Commission (NFC), citing "political opposition to his nomination."

Published 31 May, 2020 12:04am

July-April services trade deficit plunges 33 percent YoY

The country's services trade deficit plunged by 33 percent during the first ten months of this fiscal year (FY20), supported by contraction in imports.

Published 31 May, 2020 12:04am

Rs 200 billion disbursement criteria approved by ECC: Energy purchase price including GST to be paid for peak season

The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet has approved criteria for disbursement of Rs200 billion in power sector and decided that energy purchase price inclusive of the GST would be paid for peak season of June-August 2020 and capacity pay

Published 31 May, 2020 12:04am

Trump deprives Hong Kong of privileges

President Donald Trump said Friday he would strip several of Hong Kong's special privileges with the United States and bar some Chinese students from US universities in anger over Beijing's bid to exert control in the financial hub.

Published 31 May, 2020 12:04am

1,000 more National Guard soldiers mobilised in US

A thousand more National Guard soldiers were mobilized Saturday as violent protests over the death of an unarmed black man during an arrest in Minneapolis erupted across the United States.

Published 31 May, 2020 12:04am

US records 1,225 coronavirus deaths in 24 hours: Johns Hopkins

The United States recorded 1,225 coronavirus deaths on Friday, bringing its total to 102,798 since the global pandemic began, according to a tally kept by Johns Hopkins University.

Published 31 May, 2020 12:04am

UK, France, Germany 'regret' US move on Iran

Britain, France and Germany on Saturday strongly condemned a US decision to end sanctions waivers for companies from nations that remain in a nuclear accord with Iran.

Published 31 May, 2020 12:04am

July-May provisional collection stands at Rs3.534trn

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has provisionally collected Rs3,534 billion during July-May (2019-20) against annual revised target of Rs3,908 billion set for entire fiscal year (2019-20), reflecting an amount of Rs374 billion to be collected in June 2

Published 31 May, 2020 12:04am

NCOC seeks provinces feedback on negative list

National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) on Saturday sought the feedback of all provinces on negative list aimed at finalising the recommendations for opening some more sectors of the economy halted due to Covid-19 outbreak.

Published 31 May, 2020 12:04am

PM summons NCC meeting tomorrow

Prime Minister Imran Khan has summoned a meeting of the National Coordination Committee (NCC) to decide whether to further ease or tighten the Covid-19 lockdown in view of a spike in infections and fatalities. All chief ministers, federal ministers and re

Published 31 May, 2020 12:04am

Crowded places: Govt makes wearing facemasks mandatory

The country on Saturday recorded the highest number of Covid-19 deaths - 78 - while 2,429 patients were tested positive of coronavirus, Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SPAM) on National Health Dr Zafar Mirza said. Addressing a press conference after

Published 31 May, 2020 12:04am

EU urges US to think again on WHO split

The European Union on Saturday called on the United States to "reconsider" the decision to sever ties with the World Health Organization over its handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

Published 31 May, 2020 12:04am

Trump cuts ties with WHO as pandemic grips Latin America

US President Donald Trump said he is severing ties with the World Health Organization over its handling of the coronavirus pandemic, as the death toll from the disease spiked again in the United States and Brazil.

Published 31 May, 2020 12:04am

International flights take off

International flight operations resumed in the country on Saturday after two months of suspension amid coronavirus pandemic.

Published 31 May, 2020 12:04am

Sugar commission fails to fix responsibility: Khaqan

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) senior leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi Saturday reiterated his party's stance on findings of the sugar commission, saying that the Commission failed to fix responsibility on the real culprits.

Published 31 May, 2020 12:04am

Nawaz seen out of home in London

Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, who had left the country for medical treatment in London, can be seen enjoying tea with his family members in purportedly new photos emerged recently.

Published 31 May, 2020 12:04am

Human rights situation in India: KC-EU lauds EU's parliamentary body's concerns

Chairman Kashmir Council Europe (KC-EU) has praised concerns raised by European Parliament's Subcommittee on human rights over the violations of human rights of the minorities in India.

Published 31 May, 2020 12:04am

Returns by non-filers: FTO asks FBR to devise mechanism through SECP input

The Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) has recommended the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to devise a mechanism in consultation with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) for filing of income tax returns by the non-filer business entities reg

Published 31 May, 2020 12:04am

AAIB begins reassembling parts of ill-fated plane

Aircraft Accident Investigation Board (AAIB) has started reassembling the parts of ill-fated A320 aircraft of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) in the designated hanger at Jinnah International Airport (JIAP) to ascertain the causes behind the deadly c

Published 31 May, 2020 12:04am

PM makes report public as per promise

Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Accountability Mirza Shahzad Akbar has said that report of the inquiry commission formed on sugar crisis came in short period of time and it was very historic that a commission formed on a certain issue in the countr

Published 31 May, 2020 12:04am

Letters

Fiscal consolidation in the midst of Covid-19 outbreak

Asian Development Bank (ADB) has underscored the need for fiscal consolidation on an urgent basis as the country has been experiencing current and fiscal deficits. According to its latest report, the areas for specific attention include broadening the cou

Published 31 May, 2020 12:04am

Articles

Badly hit California economy aims to reverse virus 'free fall'

Millions unemployed, world-famous tourist attractions closed, movie sets shuttered and a huge deficit looming: California has been among the states hardest hit by the pandemic economically.

Published 31 May, 2020 12:04am

Articles

Coronavirus hopes and fears centre on 'immunity'

Could exposure to the coronaviruses that cause the common cold help protect against COVID-19? Is herd immunity closer than previously thought?

Published 31 May, 2020 12:04am

Articles

Fiscal mess - straighten the priorities

Budget-making is in the process. This one is a tough budget to make. Covid-19 demands stimulus; but the fiscal deficit is already too high. The government is asking for no new taxes and demanding stimulus for industries and vulnerable. The government want

Updated 31 May, 2020 08:04am

Fighting the invisible enemy

The number of coronavirus infection cases and deaths has been rising rapidly, yet from the way the shoppers and shop owners behaved during the easing of lockdown, infections are likely to spike to unmanageable levels. Voicing a common concern, Special Ass

Published 31 May, 2020 12:04am

Electoral reform proposals

It's been a while since crying foul the Opposition parties had walked out of a special parliamentary committee constituted by the National Assembly Speaker to probe their allegations of rigging in the last elections. Still, the committee remained function

Published 31 May, 2020 12:04am

India must be controlled

India has been acting quite like the regional bully since the Modi administration came to New Delhi, but it may have bitten off more than it can chew with the Himalayan border dispute with China. It has now become clear that the standoff was triggered by

Published 31 May, 2020 12:04am

Incidents of murder, theft increased in Capital

The federal capital witnessed an increase in incidents of theft and murder last week as three people, including two policemen, were shot dead, and robbers struck at four different places in the city.

Published 31 May, 2020 12:04am

Mob attacks Civil Hospital Karachi after Covid-19 patient dies

A mob of around 70 people attacked doctors and staff at the emergency ward in Civil Hospital, Karachi on Friday night.

Published 31 May, 2020 12:04am

Marriyum demands removal of 'missing' PM

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb on Saturday demanded removal of Prime Minister Imran Khan. The PML-N leader said the missing premier is in charge of the health department which has been given on contract by the federal

Published 31 May, 2020 12:04am

Energy

K-Electric to resume customer care centres from tomorrow

K-Electric on Saturday said it will be resuming operations across all spheres - the Customer Care Centers effective from Monday.

Published 31 May, 2020 12:04am

38 more coronavirus patients die in Sindh

Some 38 more patients of COVID-19 died in the last 24 hours, taking the death toll to 465 in Sindh. The tally of the coronavirus patients has also risen. Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah said that 5,481 tests were conducted against which 1,247 new case

Published 31 May, 2020 12:04am

Business & Economy

Country should decrease dependence on traditional exports: FPCCI

Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) has recommended that Pakistan should formulate strategies to decrease dependence on traditional exports like textiles, leather, carpet, sports goods, stainless steel, surgical goods, rice et

Published 31 May, 2020 12:04am

Peshawar to welcome int'l flights from tomorrow

International flights from Gulf States to Bacha Khan Airport, Peshawar have been restored and flights will formally resume from 1st June to bring Overseas Pakistanis of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to their homeland.

Published 31 May, 2020 12:04am

ASPSA says schools to reopen from June 15

All Sindh Private Schools Association (ASPSA) on Saturday announced to open schools from June 15. Haider Ali, the chairman of the private schools association, said that the schools would be opened in the line of the standard operating procedures (SOPs) se

Published 31 May, 2020 12:04am

Karachi transporters say resuming operations from June 1

Transporters in Karachi have announced to resume their operations from June 1 even though the Sindh government hasn't given them the permission to do so.

Published 31 May, 2020 12:04am

Met forecasts rain for entire country

The Met Office on Saturday forecast rain wind-thunderstorm for the entire country in the next 24 hours.

Published 31 May, 2020 12:04am

Shehryar Afridi contracts Covid-19

The Chairman of Parliamentary Committee on Kashmir, Shehryar Afridi on Saturday tested positive for Covid-19.

Published 31 May, 2020 12:04am

Business & Economy

SCA demands immediate anti-locust spray

The Sindh Chamber of Agriculture (SCA) president Syed Miran Muhammad Shah, general secretary Zahid Bhurgari, vice president Nabi Bux and others have demanded the Sindh and federal governments to launch a fumigation drive through aircrafts against the locu

Published 31 May, 2020 12:04am

PFMA, PFD agree to bring stability in flour prices

Pakistan Flour Mills Association (PFMA) and the Punjab Food Department (PFD) high officials held negotiations on Saturday to bring stability to flour prices in the market especially in the province.

Published 31 May, 2020 12:04am

Commodities

Wheat flour, sugar, pulses, eggs & chicken prices witness increasing trend

Prices of wheat flour, sugar, pulses, eggs and chicken have witnessed an increasing trend during past week compared with the preceding week, a survey conducted by Business Recorder revealed here on Saturday.

Published 31 May, 2020 12:04am

Federal cabinet has no power to privatize PSM: Rabbani

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) senior leader Mian Raza Rabbani on Saturday said that the federal cabinet has no power to privatize Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM).

Published 31 May, 2020 12:04am

Not following SOPs increasing pressure on hospitals: CM's aide

Adviser to KP Chief Minister on Information, Ajmal Wazir has said not following SOPs and failure to adopt precautionary measures increasing pressure on hospitals. He urged upon the people to adopt precautionary measures and stay safe from Covid-19.

Published 31 May, 2020 12:04am

'Punjab to introduce new wheat procurement policy'

The Punjab Senior Minister has said that next year the Punjab government will introduce a new wheat procurement policy under which the volume and the method of wheat procurement will be changed.

Published 31 May, 2020 12:04am

Cotton & Textile

PRGMEA calls for zero rated regime restoration in Budget 2020-21

The Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers & Exporters Association (PRGMEA), in its budget proposals for 2020-21 submitted to the federal government, called for restoration of zero rated regime of 'no payment and no refund of sales tax' for export-orie

Published 31 May, 2020 12:04am

PR to operate 10 more passenger trains: minister

The Pakistan Railways administration has decided to operate 10 more passenger trains across the country, taking the total number of operational trains to 40.

Published 31 May, 2020 12:04am

Covid-19 pandemic: Shehbaz reiterates demand for CCI meeting

Expressing his concerns over 78 more deaths from the novel coronavirus within 24 hours, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Mian Shehbaz Sharif said on Saturday apprehensions expressed by doctors, experts and analysts over easing of the lockdow

Published 31 May, 2020 12:04am

Taxes

FBR unlikely to achieve Rs3.908trn revised tax target

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) will not be able to meet the revised target of Rs 3.908 trillion for 2019-20 even after the resumption of economic activity during the last fortnight of Ramazan for Eid-ul-Fitr, sources said.

Published 31 May, 2020 12:04am

Business & Economy

Punjab to continue business activities

Keeping in view the economic problems of the people, the Punjab government has decided to keep open and continue economy-based business activities in the province to protect people from the economic crunch.

Published 31 May, 2020 12:04am

'New drug being administered to seriously ill patients'

Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid said on Saturday doctors in Punjab are now eyeing another drug Actemra (tocilizumab) that has the potential to rapidly shorten the recovery period by increasing oxygen levels for the novel coronavirus patients.

Published 31 May, 2020 12:04am

No shortage of beds, facilities for Covid-19 patients, PCC told

Punjab Cabinet Committee (PCC) for Covid-19 control decided to follow orders of the federal government in connection with opening of restaurants and cafes.

Published 31 May, 2020 12:04am

Courts to resume working from tomorrow: LHC

The district courts in Punjab will work regularly from June 1 (Monday) under the Covid-19 pandemic related guidelines and SOPs announced by the government.

Published 31 May, 2020 12:04am

Rehman Malik writes letter to PM

Pakistan People's Party (PPP) leader and Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Interior Senator A Rehman Malik has urged Prime Minister Imran Khan to call All Parties Conference (APC) for a unified and common strategy to counter Covid-19 and its effects o

Published 31 May, 2020 12:04am

Telecommunication

Illegal sale of SIMs: PTA slaps Rs 100 million fine on leading cellular firm

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has imposed a huge fine of Rs100 million on a leading cellular company for contraventions and non-compliance of regulatory laws including sale of grey SIMs, unauthorized sale of SIMs through kiosks activities

Published 31 May, 2020 12:04am

Business & Economy

PIA plane crash: Alvi directs PIA CEO to speed up compensation process

President Dr Arif Alvi has directed Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) CEO Air Marshal Arshad Malik to expedite the process of compensation to the families of plane crash victims.

Published 31 May, 2020 12:04am

Business & Economy

Tobacco control: Industry stonewalling efforts: CTC-Pak

The Coalition for Tobacco Control (CTC-Pak) Saturday said with its resources and access to policy making forums, tobacco industry is stonewalling all efforts for tobacco control in Pakistan.

Published 31 May, 2020 12:04am

GB imposes complete lockdown

Local transmission of coronavirus sees exponential rise in the city of Gilgit-Baltistan on Saturday. The administration of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) has imposed a ban on entering the city till further notice after the Covid-19 outbreak seemingly got out of co

Published 31 May, 2020 12:04am

Capital witnesses 92 new cases of Covid-19

The mortality rate of Covid-19 patients in the federal capital on Saturday rose to over one percent after one more patient died, bringing the death toll to 23 in the city.

Published 31 May, 2020 12:04am

Business & Economy

PAAPAM for proper implementation of SROs 655, 656

Pakistan Association of Automotive Parts & Accessories Manufacturers (PAAPAM) has said it wants proper implementation on auto sector related SROs 655 and 656.

Published 31 May, 2020 12:04am

PTV to launch new sequence of programmes from June 1

As part of the comprehensive content revamp plan PTV is going to launch a new sequence of programmes on PTV News from June 1, 2020, with contemporary settings.

Published 31 May, 2020 12:04am

Commodities

Canadian canola futures mixed

ICE Canadian canola futures ended weekly trading mixed on Friday, boosted by near-term demand but weighed down by concerns about future Chinese buying. The Canadian court ruling this week that could permit the extradition of a senior Huawei Technologies C

Published 31 May, 2020 12:04am

Commodities

Brazilian grains demand rising as Argentine river water levels fall

Global demand for Brazilian grains is growing as Argentina and Paraguay struggle with low water levels in a key river for agricultural shipments that is preventing ships from being fully loaded, a Brazilian trading company told Reuters on Thursday.

Published 31 May, 2020 12:04am

Cotton & Textile

Spot rate remains unchanged on cotton market

Traders on the cotton market are hopeful that reporting of the deals will be started from the first week of June. Market sources told that though the business activities resumed in the cotton market but hopefully trading will fully resume in coming days.

Published 31 May, 2020 12:04am

Commodities

CBOT soyabean futures slip on US-China tensions

US soyabean futures slipped on Friday as tensions between the United States and top soya importer China rose ahead of a planned press conference by US President Donald Trump on the US' response to China's security measures in Hong Kong.

Published 31 May, 2020 12:04am

Energy

US natural gas futures jump to three-week high

US natural gas futures rose to a three-week high on Friday on forecasts for warmer weather and higher air conditioning demand over the next two weeks.

Published 31 May, 2020 12:04am

SpaceX aims for Saturday launch though weather uncertain

SpaceX began the countdown to send two veteran NASA astronauts to the International Space Station on Saturday although uncertain weather conditions threatened a second postponement of the historic first crewed mission by a commercial rocket.

Published 31 May, 2020 12:04am

Global Business Economy

Thousands protest mass Renault job cuts

Thousands of workers rallied Saturday outside the Renault factory in northern France to protest the automaker's decision to cut 15,000 jobs worldwide, including 4,600 in France.

Published 31 May, 2020 12:04am

Malta seizes $1 billion in counterfeit Libyan money: US

Money & Banking

Rates

Automart: car prices in Karachi

The prices of different makes and models of cars prevailing in Karachi in the week ended Saturday (May 30, 2020).

Published 31 May, 2020 12:04am

Schedules

World Shipping Schedule

Karachi Port's world-wide shipping schedule beginning Saturday (May 30, 2020).

Published 31 May, 2020 12:04am

The Weather

The weather report on Saturday (May 30, 2020) and the forecast for Sunday (May 31, 2020).

Published 31 May, 2020 12:04am

Rates

Cotton Spot Rates

Official KCA spot rates for local dealings in Pakistan rupees on Saturday (May 30, 2020).

Published 31 May, 2020 12:04am

Previous Day

Forex
World
Commodity

Currency	Rate
USD PKR Interbank Selling / Nov 21	278.03
USD PKR Interbank Buying / Nov 21	277.78
USD to Japanese Yen / Nov 21	154.92
USD to Swiss Franc / Nov 21	0.88
Pound Sterling to USD / Nov 21	1.26
Euro to USD / Nov 21	1.05

Stock	Volume
S&P 500 / Nov 20	5,917.11
Nasdaq / Nov 20	18,966.14
Dow Jones / Nov 20	43,408.47
India Sensex / Nov 21	77,137.20
Tokyo Nikkei / Nov 21	38,026.17
Hang Seng / Nov 21	19,620.49
FTSE 100 / Nov 21	8,069.57
Germany DAX 30 / Nov 21	18,942.65

Item	Value
Petrol/Litre / Nov 21	248.38
Crude Oil USD/Barrel / Nov 21	69.38
Karachi Cotton PKR/37.32 KG / Nov 21	17,785
Gold 10 Grams PKR / Nov 21	238,340
Gold Spot USD/Ounce / Nov 21	2,662.71
Diesel/Litre / Nov 21	255.14

Gainers
Losers
Leaders

Stock	Price
786 Invest Ltd / Nov 21 786 Investments Limited(786)	7.11 ▼ 0.00 (0.00%)
AL-Abbas Sugar / Nov 21 Al-Abbas Sugar Mills Limited(AABS)	611.40 ▼ 0.00 (0.00%)
Agro Allianz / Nov 21 Agro Allianz Limited(AAL)	16 ▼ 0.00 (0.00%)
AL-Abid Silk / Nov 21 Al-Abid Silk Mills Limited(AASM)	3.49 ▼ 0.00 (0.00%)
Ali Asghar / Nov 21 Ali Asghar Textile Mills Limited(AATM)	63.60 ▼ 0.00 (0.00%)
Allied Bank / Nov 21 Allied Bank Limited(ABL)	114.42 ▼ 0.00 (0.00%)
Abbott Lab. / Nov 21 Abbott Laboratories (Pakistan) Limited(ABOT)	1,048.22 ▼ 0.00 (0.00%)
Abson Ind. / Nov 21 Abson Industries Limited(ABSON)	2.50 ▼ 0.00 (0.00%)
Alfalah ETF. / Nov 21 Alfalah Consumer Index ETF.(ACIETF)	12.32 ▼ 0.00 (0.00%)

Stock	Price
786 Invest Ltd / Nov 21 786 Investments Limited(786)	7.11 ▲ 0.00 (0.00%)
AL-Abbas Sugar / Nov 21 Al-Abbas Sugar Mills Limited(AABS)	611.40 ▲ 0.00 (0.00%)
Agro Allianz / Nov 21 Agro Allianz Limited(AAL)	16 ▲ 0.00 (0.00%)
AL-Abid Silk / Nov 21 Al-Abid Silk Mills Limited(AASM)	3.49 ▲ 0.00 (0.00%)
Ali Asghar / Nov 21 Ali Asghar Textile Mills Limited(AATM)	63.60 ▲ 0.00 (0.00%)
Allied Bank / Nov 21 Allied Bank Limited(ABL)	114.42 ▲ 0.00 (0.00%)
Abbott Lab. / Nov 21 Abbott Laboratories (Pakistan) Limited(ABOT)	1,048.22 ▲ 0.00 (0.00%)
Abson Ind. / Nov 21 Abson Industries Limited(ABSON)	2.50 ▲ 0.00 (0.00%)
Alfalah ETF. / Nov 21 Alfalah Consumer Index ETF.(ACIETF)	12.32 ▲ 0.00 (0.00%)

Stock	Volume
K-Electric Ltd. / Nov 21 K-Electric Limited(KEL)	174,389,145 ▲ 0.00
Hascol Petrol / Nov 21 Hascol Petroleum Limited(HASCOL)	63,973,243 ▲ 0.00
Kohinoor Spining / Nov 21 Kohinoor Spinning Mills Limited(KOSM)	62,996,737 ▲ 0.00
Aisha Steel Mill / Nov 21 Aisha Steel Mills Limited(ASL)	48,137,561 ▲ 0.00
Waves Home Appliances / Nov 21 Waves Home Appliances Limited(WAVESAPP)	43,506,391 ▲ 0.00
Lotte Chemical / Nov 21 Lotte Chemical Pakistan Limited(LOTCHEM)	40,852,960 ▲ 0.00
Telecard Limited / Nov 21 Telecard Limited(TELE)	36,937,252 ▲ 0.00
Cnergyico PK / Nov 21 Cnergyico PK Limited(CNERGY)	31,401,025 ▲ 0.00
WorldCall Telecom / Nov 21 Worldcall Telecom Limited(WTL)	31,346,592 ▲ 0.00

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