The National Assembly session on Wednesday lacked lustre as majority of the members from both treasury as well as opposition did not turn up while most of the ministers were busy in Cabinet meeting on law and order situation in the country. The members mi

Parliamentarians have assured the Federal Board of Revenue all-out support to increase the tax-to-GDP ratio by bringing the undocumented economy into the tax net through implementation of Value Added Tax by July 1, 2010. Senate Standing Committee on Finan

Dow Jones Indexes, a leading global index provider, has issued the results of the regular annual review of the Dow Jones SAFE Indexes. According to an announcement made by the SAFE Secretariat here on Wednesday, the Dow Jones-SAFE 100 index was launched l

Expert on modern methods of cost cutting, Abid Anwar has advised industrialists to adopt modern techniques, used world-wide to reduce cost of doing business. He said that the modern world is adopting various methods, including JIP (Just-in-time), target-p

Federal Minister for Interior Rehman Malik has said that the ransom money was paid to kidnappers for the safe recovery of Sahil Naqqash, but declined to give the details of the amount paid, and in which country it was paid. "Life of kidnapped boy was more

Parliamentary leader of Pakistan Muslim League-Q in National Assembly, Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat on Wednesday suggested the opposition parties to stage a protest and sit-in outside US Embassy in favour of Dr Aafia Siddiqui.

The Pakistan Society for Rheumatology (PSR) is organising 14th International conference on March 23. World renowned speakers from Pakistan and abroad will present their research papers and share their experiences on different diseases of joints and muscle

The government on Wednesday informed the National Assembly (NA) that there will be no change in the minimum guaranteed wheat support price to safeguard the interests of the common man. Responding to a call attention notice about non-fixation of wheat pric

Cotton futures settled lower on Wednesday on sales by small investors as the market treaded water in range-bound dealings, with more of the same trading pattern expected this week, brokers said. The key May cotton contract fell 0.67 cent to end at 81.17 c

May white sugar closed up $0.10 at $521.5 per tonne on Wednesday. Dealers focused on signs of a revival in physical offtake after a recent slide to six-month lows. May cocoa on Liffe ended 17 pounds higher at 2,200 pounds a tonne. Dealers talked of expect

Copper hit a one-week high on Wednesday as the dollar slipped, inventories fell and talk of a Chinese yuan revaluation helped boost sentiment. Benchmark copper on the London Metal Exchange hit a session high of $7,547.25 a tonne. The metal used in power a

Oil rose more than 1 percent to end near $83 a barrel on Wednesday after a US government report showed increased oil product demand and as Opec decided to leave output targets unchanged. A weaker US dollar against a basket of currencies also provided supp

Wednesday's Rotterdam vegetable oil prices at 1700 GMT.

Wednesday's Rotterdam vegetable oil prices at 1700 GMT.

Gold climbed above $1,130 an ounce in Europe on Wednesday as the US Federal Reserve's announcement that it will keep interest rates low for an "extended period" knocked the dollar. Spot gold was bid at $1,131.75 an ounce at 1038 GMT, against $1,124.70 lat

Raw sugar futures on ICE edged up early on Wednesday, aided by a soft dollar and firmer oil prices, although the market still held around Monday's 7-1/2-month low. A European broker, in a daily market report, noted rising concerns over drought in China's

May wheat was up 8 cents per bushel at $4.91 per bushel on the Chicago Board of Trade early on Wednesday and May soya was up 6-1/4 at $9.51-1/4 on technical short-covering and fund buying in thin dealings, traders said. May soyameal up $2.20 per ton at $2

US copper futures climbed to a one-week high early Wednesday, as the dollar extended its recent slide and market sentiment improved after a renewed pledge from the Federal Reserve to keep rates low for an extended period. Copper for May delivery firmed 4.

US gold futures ended slightly higher early on Wednesday, erasing initial gains, as a flat dollar and larger-than-expected decline in producer prices failed to give the market a firm direction. COMEX April settles up $1.70 at $1,124.20 an ounce. Range $1,

The Secretary to Government of Sindh, Revenue Department while exercising powers conferred upon him under section 6 of Sindh Land Revenue Act 1967 has restored the boundaries and limits of Talukas Ghotki and Khanghar of District Gotki as stood on April, 1

Top universities of the country would send 27 teams of young engineers to participate in the Shell Eco-Marathon, which is an educational platform that encourages students across Asia to design, build and test fuel-efficient vehicles.

There exists a great deal of potential for alternate energy in the province of Sindh. This was stated by Sindh Minister for Irrigation and Power Engr. Syed Murad Ali Shah.

Commissioner Tahir Hussain has directed the administrators to take strict actions to curb water theft, cattle lifting and make special plans for removal of encroachments, improvement of cleanliness, end to wall chalking, controlling prices of essential co

Electricity crisis once again resurfaced in Industrial City as power shortfall has reached to 700MW, while the duration of load shedding has also increased up to 17 to 20 hours and industrial sector facing production loss in term of Rs 340 million per day

Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) will launch 'National Poverty Survey' from May to identify the number of poor families across the country. The survey will be completed in 24 districts of Balochistan on priority basis till June, Chairperson BISP, F

About 5.46 lakh saplings would be planted during spring tree plantation drive in Sialkot district. District Co-ordination Officer (DCO) Mujahid Shar Dil stated this while inaugurating spring tree plantation campaign here on Wednesday.

All trade bodies here, including Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), and people belonging to various walks of life on Wednesday strongly condemned the unscheduled electricity load shedding of continuous even hours as a result of which normal

The speakers at a seminar have said that peace in the country lies in following the injections of Islam in letter and spirit as education, discipline, counter-corruption, self-accountability and philosophy of Khudi are prerequisites to the peace and devel

Necessary arrangements are being finalised for setting up an ultra modern Tanneries Zone on 384 acres of land costing Rs 40 crore (Rs 400 million) in Sialkot.

Deputy Governor (DG), State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), Muhammad Kamran Shehzad has said that the refinance limit of over Rs 228 billion has been assigned under the Export Finance Scheme (EFS) to various banks for the current fiscal year 2009-10, which is abo

NWFP Minister for Information Mian Iftikhar Hussain has said that the significance of media is an established fact and in present critical circumstances its importance has increased manifold adding Frontier government is mulling over establishing its own

"Sahil, the five-year-old British boy, has been recovered."

In a well-known TV talk show, Dr Firdous Awan tore the concept of CoD by announcing that the document is not acceptable at the grassroots level by the workers of PPP. Apparently, she hasn't read the document, prepared carefully by the stalwarts of both th

Parking in "No Parking" zones reflects our society's lack of civic sense. It is a severe drawback of our society. All the busy roads of Karachi, like M.A Jinnah Road, Shah Faisal Colony, Liaquatabad and Saddar around Empress Market, and Burns Road are the

Israel's plans to build new housing units in occupied East Jerusalem have opened up a diplomatic rift with the United States unseen in years, if not decades, and has left US officials questioning whether the Jewish state is serious about its relationship

Total installed capacity of hydroelectric power plants in Pakistan is 6,474 MW, which contributes about 33% to the combined installed generation capacity of all resources. During the financial year ending 30th June 2007, hydro energy generation of 31,846

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif's alleged remarks at the anniversary event of Mufti Mohammad Hussain Naeemi's assassination have touched off a storm of anger indignation all over the country. He was quoted to have said that the Taliban should spare P

Americans leave nothing to chance when they fight their enemies, or so it seems. If required - and that is not once in a blue moon, but a regular practice - they use napalm bombs and hellfire missiles to attack and destroy their enemies, and in the proces

After a relative lull in terrorist activity inside the major cities of the country during the last two months, there is suddenly an outburst of suicide attacks in the country. In the latest event of the series, two suicide bombers struck R.A. Bazaar area

The Prime Minister, while on a visit to the Planning Commission, which he committed to undertaking on a quarterly basis, stated that he had directed the Ministry of Finance to release 300 billion rupees for the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) w

According to Iesco press release, power supply will remain suspend due to construction & annual maintenance works as per following schedule.

The Chief Justice Lahore High Court belied the news items attributing observation to him about the financial support by Hindus to the terrorists. It is clarified that no such observations were made by the Chief Justice while hearing a petition about extra

For the facilitation of general public and telecom users, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has launched the Urdu version of its official web-site on Internet. In this connection, an inaugural ceremony was held here at PTA Headquarters.

Punjab Finance Minister Tanvir Ashraf Kaira has said that the signing of 7th NFC Award ceremony is a landmark in the political history of Pakistan and it's a great achievement towards national harmony and solidarity with regard to financial reconciliation

The weather report on Wednesday (March 17, 2010) and the forecast for Thursday (March 18, 2010).

Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that besides transparent and quality completion of development projects, the policy regarding promotion of horticulture should also be implemented and maximum tree plantation should be carried out at

The latest close of key indices on major world stock exchanges and the London closing values of the euro, the Japanese yen, the British pound and gold bullion (previous day's closes in brackets).

Dr Mahmood A Khawaja of the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) has said that unmanaged waste has become a serious concern for Pakistan and Asian countries causing serious environmental, health and economic losses.

The following were Tuesday official prices.

Fifteen high school children have participated in drawing competition "mother nature" and 21 students in essay writing "our natural environment and its conservation" of different age groups from the different schools situated in the surroundings of Taunsa

The following were Tuesday official prices.

Senior Provincial Minister Raja Riaz Ahmad has invited political leaders to attend APC on water issue on Thursday March 18, at 11:00 am at Punjab Assembly Chambers.

The following were Tuesday official prices.

Pakistan Muslim League (N) Overseas central secretary general Sheikh Kaiser Mehmood has called for weeding out causes of terrorism from the country to eliminate this vice from the country. The PML-N leader said here on Wednesday that Pakistan at present d

The following were Tuesday official prices.

The Punjab government has reconstituted the board of directors of the Punjab Industrial Estates Development and Management Company Board (PIE) and reduced it from 23 to 16. Besides provincial secretaries of Industries, Labour, Finance, Chairman Tevta, pro

Gold and silver rates in rupees per 10 grams prevailing in major cities on Wednesday (March 17, 2010).

An inspection team of the College of Physicians & Surgeons Pakistan (CPSP) Led by Professor Tariq Mahmood Khan, Registrar, visited CMH Okara. The inspection team comprising Professor Khalid Masood Gondal, Regional Director, Professor Muhammad Yaqoob Qazi,

Non ferrous metals, ferrous alloy rates in rupees prevailing on the commodity markets in Karachi on Wednesday (March 17, 2010).

Punjab University Administrative and Technical Staff Association hold a protest demonstration in front of the vice-chancellor office on Wednesday for the acceptance of their demands.

Official KCA spot rates for local dealings in Pakistan rupees on Wednesday (March 17, 2010).

Punjab Board of Investment and Trade (PBIT) in collaboration with United Nation Industrial Development Organisation (Unido), Lahore Chambers of Commerce & Industry (LCCI) and the Ministry of Environment (MoE) conducted a workshop for creating awareness fo

Wholesale poultry rates on Wednesday (March 17, 2010) and for Thursday (March 18, 2010)

The Pakistan Industrial and Traders Associations Front (PIAF) has demanded of the sui gas authorities to end gas load management as early as possible because the weather change has curtailed the domestic consumption of gas and there was no point in gas lo

Grain and other commodity rates in rupees on Akbari Mandi on Wednesday (March 17, 2010).

District & Sessions Judge Lahore, Zawwar Ahmad Sheikh here on Wednesday started judicial inquiry into allegations levelled by a suspended Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Imran Babar Jamil, against two superintendents of police (SPs) for pressurisin

Paper market rates in rupees on Wednesday (March 17, 2010).

A division bench of the Lahore High Court (LHC) here on Wednesday, exempting federal interior minister Rehman Malik from personal appearance only for one time, ordered him to ensure his appearance on March 25 so that the case could be proceeded accordingl

National Commodity Exchange Limited Trading Summary on Wednesday (March 17, 2010).

A delegation from Centre for Development Research, Bonn University, Germany visited the Government College University (GCU) and met with Vice Chancellor Dr Khalid Aftab to discuss the scope of collaboration with the 146-year old institution in the fields

Karachi Shipping Intelligence report incorporating changes till 7 am on Wednesday (March 17, 2010).

The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) on Wednesday urged the government to put off the implementation of Value-Added Tax (VAT) until and unless a consensus is developed among all the stakeholders, including all the chambers and trade bodies i

Karachi Shipping Intelligence report incorporating changes till 7 am on Wednesday (March 17, 2010).

The draw for prize bonds of worth Rs 15000 will be held at Muzaffarabad on April 1, National Savings sources said.

Interbank closing rates for dollar on Wednesday (March 17, 2010).

The Interior Ministry has failed to pay any attention to the biggest challenge in the security of Islamabad, Margalla Hills, and thereby to ensure a proper security set up to avert any possible terrorist infiltration from the hills.

Dollar buying and selling rate in the kerb market in rupees on Wednesday (March 17, 2010).

The government of Japan has decided to extend a financial support of 95,098 dollar (approx. Rs 7.8 million) to M H Sufi Foundation, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), under the "Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects" for the Construc

Firm trend was seen on the local currency market on Wednesday as dollars' supply was satisfactory, experts said. On the interbank market the rupee appreciated by 13 paisa against dollar for buying and selling at 84.25 and 84.30, they said. In the open mar

A meeting of the recently reconstituted and expanded 15 members Board of Privatisation Commission is scheduled to be held under the chairmanship of Senator Waqar Ahmed Khan Federal Minister for Privatisation (today) Thursday here at the Privatisation Comm

Firm trend was seen on the local currency market on Wednesday as dollars' supply was satisfactory, experts said. On the interbank market the rupee appreciated by 13 paisa against dollar for buying and selling at 84.25 and 84.30, they said. In the open mar

The NWFP Chief Minister, Ameer Haidar Khan Hoti, has felicitated the whole nation particularly the people of NWFP on signing of 7th national finance commission (NFC) award by the President and termed it reflection of environment of cooperation, national u

Bestway Cement Company Ltd (BWCL) is a subsidiary of Bestway Group of United Kingdom. It was listed on Karachi Stock Exchange in February 2001. The company is a major manufacturer and seller of cement. In FY09 Bestway Cement held 13.2% local market share

The NWFP will host the four-day 9th Biennial International conference under the aegis of Pakistan Chest Society (PCS) central from 20 to 23 March in Bhurban, Murree. Pakistan Chest Society (PCS) president Dr Arshad Javed announced this in a news conferenc

Bestway Cement Company Ltd (BWCL) is a subsidiary of Bestway Group of United Kingdom. It was listed on Karachi Stock Exchange in February 2001. The company is a major manufacturer and seller of cement. In FY09 Bestway Cement held 13.2% local market share

The Ministry of Commerce has hinted at the approval of an amount of Rs 498 million for promotion of gemstone sector and acquisition of 33 kanal land for setting up new building of Gems and Gemological Institute of Pakistan (GGIP).

The following were the revised rates of debt securities on Wednesday (March 17, 2010).

Dr Mirza Ikhtiar Baig, Federal Adviser on Textile, has urged All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) to call off strike for 18th March and to settle the issues on the table through negotiation. He also reiterated that all the textile sectors are eq

The following were the revised rates of debt securities on Wednesday (March 17, 2010).

The Punjab Education Foundation (PEF) will rerun the 1006 dysfunctional public sector schools in the province in collaboration with the non formal sector; in the pilot phase, 100 such schools would be handed over to the selected partners after finalising

The following were the revised rates of debt securities on Wednesday (March 17, 2010).

The President of Karachi Iron and Steel Merchants Association (Kisma), Shamoon Bakir Ali, has urged the Director-General, Customs Valuation, to withdraw the new valuation advice issued by Director Valuation.

The following were the cross transactions between client to client & financial institutions here on Wednesday (March 17, 2010).

State Bank of Pakistan Governor Salim Raza will launch the Credit Guarantee Scheme for small and rural enterprises, under the Financial Inclusion Program (FIP) at SBP Learning Resource Centre Auditorium on March 19.

The following transactions member to member subsequently reported on Wednesday (March 17, 2010).

A blast at Lyari Expressway (LEW) near Garden West area on Tuesday in which a young woman and four others including three children were injured has put the investigators into deep trouble as they have failed to ascertain the reasons of explosion.

Mutual Funds Association has issued open-end funds daily prices for Wednesday (March 17, 2010)

The Karachi Literature Festival is being organised by the British Council and the Oxford University Press-Pakistan. There is currently a huge interest around the world in writing from Pakistan, established and emerging Pakistani writers have received grea

Mutual Funds Association has issued open-end funds daily prices for Wednesday (March 17, 2010)

A joint meeting of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and Karachi Customs Agents Association (KCAA) has expressed concern over the reported move of Federal Board of Revenue's (FBR) to roll back the Pakistan Automated Customs Computerised Syst