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Print - 2020-05-15
Fiscal deficit to hit at least 9.4 percent

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

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
Sugar millers express 'serious' reservations

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

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

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

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

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

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
Fitch Ratings enters China's credit market

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

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

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

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
THE RUPEE: Steady trend
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
No major change in tax rates likely during next fiscal year

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
CCP launches online merger, acquisition application filing system

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
KBA suspends membership of Murtaza Wahab

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

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

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

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

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

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

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
Profundity of cost audit
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
A post-Covid-19 world
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
Business-as-usual in parliament

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

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
IMF official meets Khusro
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'

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

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

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
LNG scam: NAB hands over questionnaire to Abbasi
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

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
Country to have 700 more ventilators this month, NDMA chief

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

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
Indo-Pakistan border area faces impending locust invasion: Met

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

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
PU announces semester exam schedule

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
Nadeem Khan appointed PCB's Director HP
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
July-March: IT, ITeS export remittances surge to $901.486 million
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
KSBL appoints Mubashar Hameed as Rector

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

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
FBR relieves three Grade-21 IRS officials
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
Conditional opening of gyms, salons allowed in Punjab

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
KCBF seeks separate cotton ministry
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
LHC suspends sentence of convict, releases him on bail

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

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

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: Economic consequences for women
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
Nearly 600,000 Australians lose jobs
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
Second layoffs, backlogs wave keeps US jobless claims sky high
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

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
Burundi expels top WHO team

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
EU court rules against Hungary over migrant centres

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 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

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
Ukraine's grain harvest seen falling
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
Euronext wheat falls to one week low
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
US natural gas futures fall to four-week low
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
Activities of Karachi Port and Port Qasim
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