AIRLINK 81.10 Increased By ▲ 2.55 (3.25%)
BOP 4.82 Increased By ▲ 0.05 (1.05%)
CNERGY 4.09 Decreased By ▼ -0.07 (-1.68%)
DFML 37.98 Decreased By ▼ -1.31 (-3.33%)
DGKC 93.00 Decreased By ▼ -2.65 (-2.77%)
FCCL 23.84 Decreased By ▼ -0.32 (-1.32%)
FFBL 32.00 Decreased By ▼ -0.77 (-2.35%)
FFL 9.24 Decreased By ▼ -0.13 (-1.39%)
GGL 10.06 Decreased By ▼ -0.09 (-0.89%)
HASCOL 6.65 Increased By ▲ 0.11 (1.68%)
HBL 113.00 Increased By ▲ 3.50 (3.2%)
HUBC 145.70 Increased By ▲ 0.69 (0.48%)
HUMNL 10.54 Decreased By ▼ -0.19 (-1.77%)
KEL 4.62 Decreased By ▼ -0.11 (-2.33%)
KOSM 4.12 Decreased By ▼ -0.14 (-3.29%)
MLCF 38.25 Decreased By ▼ -1.15 (-2.92%)
OGDC 131.70 Increased By ▲ 2.45 (1.9%)
PAEL 24.89 Decreased By ▼ -0.98 (-3.79%)
PIBTL 6.25 Decreased By ▼ -0.09 (-1.42%)
PPL 120.00 Decreased By ▼ -2.70 (-2.2%)
PRL 23.90 Decreased By ▼ -0.45 (-1.85%)
PTC 12.10 Decreased By ▼ -0.89 (-6.85%)
SEARL 59.95 Decreased By ▼ -1.23 (-2.01%)
SNGP 65.50 Increased By ▲ 0.30 (0.46%)
SSGC 10.15 Increased By ▲ 0.26 (2.63%)
TELE 7.85 Decreased By ▼ -0.01 (-0.13%)
TPLP 9.87 Increased By ▲ 0.02 (0.2%)
TRG 64.45 Decreased By ▼ -0.05 (-0.08%)
UNITY 26.90 Decreased By ▼ -0.09 (-0.33%)
WTL 1.33 Increased By ▲ 0.01 (0.76%)
BR100 8,052 Increased By 75.9 (0.95%)
BR30 25,581 Decreased By -21.4 (-0.08%)
KSE100 76,707 Increased By 498.6 (0.65%)
KSE30 24,698 Increased By 260.2 (1.06%)
Jun 16, 2024 اردو ► PRINT EDITION ► BR MARKETS ► Dollar to PKR ►
Print - 2005-01-07
Sri Lankan stocks rise

Sri Lankan stocks rise

Sri Lankan stocks rose on Thursday on retail buying across the board as the inflow of aid dollars for reconstruction of tsunami-hit areas boosted investor confidence of a speedy economic recovery, brokers said. The key Colombo all-share index rose a provi
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Thai shares close firmer

Thai shares close firmer

Thai share prices closed 1.48 percent higher on Thursday as foreign investors focused on buying big-cap shares, dealers said. They said trading on the day was heavy even as efforts continued on clearing up the aftermath of last week's earthquake and tsuna
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Swiss franc flat as markets on hold for US jobs

Swiss franc flat as markets on hold for US jobs

The Swiss franc trod water on Thursday below December's multi-year peaks against the dollar, as currency markets held their breath ahead of US jobs data to get a clearer steer on where the greenback is heading. A hefty increase in the jobs data - due Frid
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Bangladeshi taka firmer

Bangladeshi taka firmer

The Bangladeshi taka ended firmer on Thursday as supply of the US currency was boosted by remittances sent by expatriate Bangladeshis, dealers said. The taka was quoted at 59.95/62.70 per dollar, against 59.95/62.80 on Wednesday. Call rates ranged between
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Chinese yuan ends weaker

Chinese yuan ends weaker

The yuan ended a notch weaker at 8.2765 per US dollar on Thursday, near the stronger end of its managed trading range. The one-year non-deliverable dollar forward discount versus the yuan was at 3,550 points, implying a rate of 7.923 yuan per dollar in 12
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Indian rupee closes at three-week low

Indian rupee closes at three-week low

The Indian rupee closed at a three-week low on Thursday, with the dollar's rally overseas piling pressure in a market spooked by a second day of losses in shares. The slide in the stock market, which extended losses to nearly 3.5 percent in two days, has
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Dollar steady ahead of US jobs data

Dollar steady ahead of US jobs data

The dollar held steady against the euro and the yen on Thursday near overnight levels, with traders keeping one eye on the euro and the other on US jobs data for clues to the near-term direction of the US currency. The dollar began 2005 with a rebound fro
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Dollar wavers on wariness in wait for jobs data

Dollar wavers on wariness in wait for jobs data

The dollar was little changed on Wednesday as traders readied for Friday's US jobs report after the currency this week won back almost a quarter of the ground llost against the euro in 2004. The dollar received an added boost late on Tuesday after the min
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Hong Kong dollar firms slightly

Hong Kong dollar firms slightly

The Hong Kong dollar regained some lost ground on Thursday after the US dollar held steady against major currencies ahead of US jobs data on Friday. The local currency was trading at 7.7883/85 against the greenback firming from Wednesday's low of 7.79 hit
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Asian currencies: South Korean won plunges, yuan premiums drop

Asian currencies: South Korean won plunges, yuan premiums drop

The South Korean won slumped 1.2 percent on Thursday on worries dollar-buying intervention by the authorities may increase as they aim to check the currency's gains while local consumer spending slumps. Premiums on yuan non-deliverable forwards, which inv
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Australian dollar runs out of steam

Australian dollar runs out of steam

The Australian dollar's recovery stalled on Thursday, the currency stabilising above 76 US cents in cautious trade ahead of influential US job figures and Australian retail sales numbers, both due on Friday. The Aussie fell to a three-week low of $0.7593
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Hungary forint and bonds ease further

Hungary forint and bonds ease further

Hungary's forint weakened further on Thursday on the dollar's gains against the euro, while government bonds eased slightly ahead of key auctions of three-year and 15-year papers, traders said. The forint has been slowly edging lower versus the euro this
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Hungary forint and bonds ease further

Hungary forint and bonds ease further

Hungary's forint weakened further on Thursday on the dollar's gains against the euro, while government bonds eased slightly ahead of key auctions of three-year and 15-year papers, traders said. The forint has been slowly edging lower versus the euro this
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Shoaib to miss charity tie

Shoaib to miss charity tie

Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar said on Thursday he would not be playing in Monday's all-star tsunami charity cricket match for Asia against a Rest of the World XI in Melbourne. The 'Rawalpindi Express', whose commitment in the final cricket Test loss
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Tsunami appeal nets US $764,000

Tsunami appeal nets US $764,000

International cricket's tsunami appeal fund was given a one million dollar (764,000 US) boost by finance company Travelex Thursday, four days before a World XI faces Asia's best on a one-day cricket match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Cricket Australia
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Coach and captain not to be sacked: Shaharyar

Coach and captain not to be sacked: Shaharyar

Pakistan's cricket chief on Thursday ruled out sacking English coach Bob Woolmer and captain Inzamamul Haq after Australia whitewashed his team 3-0 in the just-ended Test series. "We are as disappointed as the common cricket fan here but it's not a matter
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Bangladesh 280-4 in 1st Test

Bangladesh 280-4 in 1st Test

Bangladesh were 280-4 in their first innings at stumps on the opening day of the first cricket Test against Zimbabwe here on Thursday.
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Army, PTCL and NBP enter National hockey last eight

Army, PTCL and NBP enter National hockey last eight

Pakistan Army, PTCL and National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) qualified for the quarterfinals of the Departmental Round of the 52nd NBP National Hockey Championship at the Hockey Club of Pakistan (HCP) Stadium here on Thursday. In a Pool 'C' encounter, Pakistan
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Kiwis look to World XI after India decline tour

Kiwis look to World XI after India decline tour

New Zealand Cricket was on Thursday attempting to organise a World XI series to salvage the first half of their summer international programme after India declined to fill in for Sri Lanka's cancelled tour following the Asian tsunamis. New Zealand Cricket
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Hard work will have Windies ready for ODI series: Browne

Hard work will have Windies ready for ODI series: Browne

The out-of-form West Indies need plenty of practice to get them ready for the triangular one-day series against Australia and Pakistan later this month, wicket-keeper Courtney Browne warned Thursday. The West Indies' tour of Australia began with a dismal
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
South Africa level series against England

South Africa level series against England

South Africa completed a 196-run win over England on the fifth day of the third Test at Newlands on Thursday to draw level in the five-match series. Shaun Pollock took four for 65 and left-arm spinner Nicky Boje four for 71 as South Africa gained their fi
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
German experts identify last known portrait of Mozart

German experts identify last known portrait of Mozart

German art experts have authenticated a painting believed to be the last portrait ever made of the composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, the body which runs Berlin's museums said on Thursday. The 80 by 62 centimetre (31.5 by 24.5 inch) portrait in oils, paint
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Sudan's Turabi to be freed after peace deal: lawyer

Sudan's Turabi to be freed after peace deal: lawyer

Jailed Sudanese leader Hassan al-Turabi is expected to be released as soon as a southern peace deal is signed and emergency law lifted, his party's lawyer said on Thursday. Sudan has been under a state of emergency since 1999 but the government promised i
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
28 killed in bus-truck crash in China

28 killed in bus-truck crash in China

Twenty-eight people were killed and 19 injured in a head-on collision between a bus and a truck in south-east China Thursday, state media reported.
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Ukraine's Yanukovich fights election loss in court

Ukraine's Yanukovich fights election loss in court

Ukraine's former prime minister challenged his loss in last month's presidential election in court on Thursday, but after nearly two weeks of political limbo the country looked close to declaring an official winner. There is little doubt liberal Viktor Yu
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Nepal's army finds 41 rebel bodies, claims success in offensive

Nepal's army finds 41 rebel bodies, claims success in offensive

Nepal's army said Thursday it had retrieved 41 Maoist rebel bodies from a battle site in the remote south-west of the kingdom where they reported earlier they had killed as many as 200 guerrillas. "The security forces have so far recovered the dead bodies
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
French superthief says was driven by love of art

French superthief says was driven by love of art

A Frenchman accused of stealing art worth tens of millions of euros from museums and galleries told a court on Thursday he was driven by a passion for art and only took what fitted "his collection". Stephane Breitwieser, whose mother destroyed many of the
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Pennsylvania school district defends evolution teaching plan

Pennsylvania school district defends evolution teaching plan

A Pennsylvania school district on Wednesday rejected charges that plans to include references to an alternative to Darwin's theory of evolution in high school biology classes would be illegal. The Dover Area School District near Harrisburg is the first in
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
White House urges Social Security benefit cuts: WSJ

White House urges Social Security benefit cuts: WSJ

The White House has written a memo arguing that changing the Social Security system will require reducing benefits as well as setting up private investment accounts, The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday. The memo, addressed to the administration's
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Kerry visits US troops in Iraq

Kerry visits US troops in Iraq

Former US presidential hopeful John Kerry has visited US troops in Iraq at a camp in Baghdad, the military said Thursday. The Democratic senator, who lost to George W. Bush in last year's vote, met soldiers from his home state of Massachusetts at Camp Tah
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Mandela's son dies of AIDS

Mandela's son dies of AIDS

South Africa's Nelson Mandela, one of Africa's most committed campaigners in the battle against AIDS, announced that his only surviving son had succumbed to the disease on Thursday. Makgatho Mandela, 54, died in a Johannesburg clinic where he had been rec
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Indonesia should not use C-130s against rebels: US

Indonesia should not use C-130s against rebels: US

US Secretary of State Colin Powell said on Thursday he hoped Indonesia would use new US aircraft spare parts only for tsunami relief work rather than to "go after" rebel forces in its devastated province of Aceh. Officials from both countries on Wednesday
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Israel develops explosive-detection pen

Israel develops explosive-detection pen

Israeli researchers have developed a pen-like device, which can detect improvised explosives commonly used by militant groups to carry out deadly attacks. The device, which resembles a felt-tip pen with buttons on it, releases three chemical solutions tha
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Israeli reservists threaten Gaza pullout mutiny

Israeli reservists threaten Gaza pullout mutiny

A group of 34 Israeli reserve officers, all of them settlers, threatened in a letter published on Thursday to disobey any order to evacuate settlements under a Gaza pullout plan. The letter in the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper was the strongest sign so far o
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Mohammed enters list of favourite UK boys' names

Mohammed enters list of favourite UK boys' names

Mohammed has joined perennial favourites Jack and Joshua as one of the most popular names given to British boys in 2004, a sign of the country's growing ethnic diversity and a legacy of Muslim immigration decades ago. The Office of National Statistics sai
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
'Egypt has peaceful nuclear programme'

'Egypt has peaceful nuclear programme'

Egypt's nuclear programme is not military and is aimed at generating electricity and desalinating water, senior Egyptian officials were quoted as saying on Thursday. Western diplomats said on Wednesday the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Ene
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Risk of civil war if Iraqi vote delayed: US general

Risk of civil war if Iraqi vote delayed: US general

A senior US commander warned on Thursday that delaying Iraq's landmark election in the face of insurgent attacks could risk provoking civil war and urged the country's Sunni minority not to boycott the vote. Throwing the US military's support behind the I
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Malaysia banishes bird flu; Vietnam toll rises

Malaysia banishes bird flu; Vietnam toll rises

Malaysia declared itself free of bird flu on Thursday, but another death prompted Vietnam to step up its fight against the virus that has killed 34 people across Asia and ravaged the region's poultry industry. China also said it would resume imports of al
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Sri Lanka bans adoption amid child snatching reports

Sri Lanka bans adoption amid child snatching reports

Sri Lanka has banned the adoption of children orphaned by a deadly tsunami until further notice after receiving unconfirmed reports that some children were snatched in the wake of the disaster, government officials said on Thursday. The United Nations has
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Afghan soldier and two militants killed

Afghan soldier and two militants killed

One Afghan soldier and two militants were killed Thursday during clashes when government soldiers began eradicating opium crops in southern Afghanistan, officials said. The attack occurred early Thursday in Deh Rawood district of southern Uruzgan province
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Science vital to cut scale of disasters: UN report

Science vital to cut scale of disasters: UN report

Developing the scientific potential of poor nations could reduce the scale of disasters like the Asian tsunami, researchers said on Thursday. As nations pledged billions to help victims of the disaster and aid agencies struggled to help the more than 1.5
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Annan says $1 billion needed now to tackle tsunami aftermath

Annan says $1 billion needed now to tackle tsunami aftermath

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan appealed Thursday for almost one billion dollars in cash to tackle the immediate aftermath of the tsunami disaster, as the United States agreed to hand the world body total control of the relief effort.
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Pound recovers slightly after data-inspired fall

Pound recovers slightly after data-inspired fall

Sterling briefly hit a 6-week low against the dollar on Thursday after weak service sector data supported the view that British interest rates had peaked for the current cycle. Sterling fell below $1.8700 to hit its lowest since late November before parin
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Dollar gains for fifth session against euro in London

Dollar gains for fifth session against euro in London

The dollar rose for a fifth session to hit a four-week high against the euro and jumped one percent against the yen on Thursday on expectations for rising US interest rates and better economic data. The dollar's new year rally from record lows on the euro
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Malaysian shares close higher

Malaysian shares close higher

Malaysian share prices closed 0.27 percent higher on Thursday on buying of selected blue chips by institutional funds, dealers said. They said institutions had extended their buying of blue chips including Telekom Malaysia and power firm Tenaga Nasional,
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Indian shares stay down for second day

Indian shares stay down for second day

Indian shares slid for a second day in a row on Thursday amid worries a rise in US interest rates would slow foreign capital inflows. "We still haven't got out of yesterday's hammering," said Kartik Mahadevan, a dealer with Cholamandalam Securities. "It i
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
US Stocks: Thursday's unofficial close

US Stocks: Thursday's unofficial close

US stocks rose slightly on Thursday with oil companies gaining from higher crude prices and investors buying into big manufacturers and beaten-down pharmaceutical makers. Shares of heavy equipment maker Caterpillar Inc added 2.2 percent to $94.29, while d
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Bonds: General Motors pares losses

Bonds: General Motors pares losses

Bonds of General Motors pared losses late on Thursday ahead of a US jobs report due on Friday that may give clues on the course of interest rates in coming months. Credit of major retailers extended recent declines on concern over disappointing holiday sa
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Bonds: General Motors pares losses

Bonds: General Motors pares losses

Bonds of General Motors pared losses late on Thursday ahead of a US jobs report due on Friday that may give clues on the course of interest rates in coming months. Credit of major retailers extended recent declines on concern over disappointing holiday sa
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Taiwan stocks flat

Taiwan stocks flat

Taiwan shares closed flat on Thursday as losses in US technology stocks and worries over weak corporate December sales triggered selling in tech heavyweights like TSMC. But Acer Inc rose on reports of higher computer shipments and financial and industrial
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Chinese shares drop

Chinese shares drop

China's shares closed down 1 percent on Thursday after hitting a five-year trough, but embattled Changhong jumped on news that it had won a $360 million credit line in what amounted to a state bailout. The benchmark Shanghai composite index finished at 1,
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
FTSE ends with pared gains; oils, insurers strong

FTSE ends with pared gains; oils, insurers strong

Britain's FTSE 100 index closed below best levels of the day but well into positive territory, with oil shares pushing ahead on a stronger crude price and insurance shares up on hopes for growth in 2005. Oil shares saw BP add 1 percent and Shell half that
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
India releases sugar to ease prices

India releases sugar to ease prices

India announced the release of 400,000 tonnes of sugar to the market and sugar policy reforms on Thursday to counter a surge in domestic prices. India, the world's biggest sugar consumer, had a dismal sugar harvest in 2003/04 (October-September) and is ex
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Brazil farm trade boom to slow in 2005

Brazil farm trade boom to slow in 2005

The growth of Brazilian farm exports is expected to run out of steam this year after a record 2004 due to a strong currency and weak soy prices, the agriculture ministry said on Thursday. Food superpower Brazil is seen posting a marginally higher $35 bill
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
World oil prices rise more than $2

World oil prices rise more than $2

Oil prices rose more than $2 on Thursday as fund-buying and a rally in heating oil reversed two weeks worth of losses that had been triggered by a stretch of mild US winter weather. US light crude settled up $2.17 to $45.56 a barrel, bringing it back to t
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
World oil prices rise more than $2

World oil prices rise more than $2

Oil prices rose more than $2 on Thursday as fund-buying and a rally in heating oil reversed two weeks worth of losses that had been triggered by a stretch of mild US winter weather. US light crude settled up $2.17 to $45.56 a barrel, bringing it back to t
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Bulgarian sugar workers mount protest in quota row

Bulgarian sugar workers mount protest in quota row

Some 250 sugar-mill workers protested in central Bulgaria on Thursday after their company missed out on a large part of a 250,000-tonne low-tariff sugar import quota, officials said. The Zaharni Zavodi mill, 260 km (160 m) north-east of Sofia, got only 27
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
New York cotton extends rally

New York cotton extends rally

Cotton futures extended a rally to reach fresh 2-1/2-month highs Thursday on investment fund, speculator and options-based buying, but commercial selling capped gains in a second day of heavy trading, dealers said. The New York Board of Trade's March cott
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
London sugar ends higher on speculator buying

London sugar ends higher on speculator buying

London white sugar futures closed higher on trade and speculator buying on Thursday as the market focused on an Indian announcement of a release of sugar and policy reforms to counter surging domestic prices. Spot month March settled up $3.20 at $260.00 a
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Copper feels pressure from stronger dollar

Copper feels pressure from stronger dollar

Copper prices were lower by the end of trade on the London Metal Exchange (LME) on Thursday as the resurgent dollar dented sentiment, analysts said. However, the industrial metal had pared losses by the close as bargain hunters stepped in. "We have seen a
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
European gold touches two-month low

European gold touches two-month low

Gold slid to its lowest in two months in Europe on Thursday and may be poised to drop further as its investment appeal was knocked by dollar strength, dealers said. Spot gold was at $422.00/422.80 per troy ounce by 1553 GMT, down from late New York's $427
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
US MIDDAY: coffee slides on long positions

US MIDDAY: coffee slides on long positions

Arabica coffee futures slid to a new three-week low Thursday as funds exited long positions for the fifth straight session. The New York Board of Trade's most-active March contract lost 1.70 cent to settle at 96.80 cents a lb., the lowest since closing at
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
US MIDDAY: cocoa at two-month low on speculative selling

US MIDDAY: cocoa at two-month low on speculative selling

Speculative selling amid a strengthening dollar knocked down New York cocoa futures to a new two-month low Thursday, although scale-down buyers stemmed early losses, traders said. The New York Board of Trade's benchmark March cocoa contract slipped $12 to
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
US MIDDAY: wheat moves up on short-covering

US MIDDAY: wheat moves up on short-covering

Wheat futures at the Chicago Board of Trade were higher at mid-morning on Thursday on continued short-covering after this week's drop to new contract lows, brokers said. As of 11:10 am CST (1710 GMT), CBOT wheat was up 1 to 3-1/4 cents per bushel, with Ma
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
US MIDDAY: corn higher on speculative short positions

US MIDDAY: corn higher on speculative short positions

Corn futures at the Chicago Board of Trade were higher early on Thursday on a recovery from the fall earlier this week to near contract lows and on firm cash markets, traders said. Traders said the corn market remained loaded with speculative short positi
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
US MIDDAY: soyabeans firmer on technical sell-off

US MIDDAY: soyabeans firmer on technical sell-off

Soyabean futures at the Chicago Board of Trade were firmer early on Thursday as the market continued to recover from its technical sell-off led by funds early this week, traders said. Also supportive were firm cash markets with farmer sales remaining ligh
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
US MIDDAY: copper gains

US MIDDAY: copper gains

COMEX copper futures swung from lower to higher ground early Thursday as players sorted out direction following Tuesday's biggest one-day drop in memory which left many players sidelined, while others hunted for bargains, traders said. Brokers said the ac
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
US MIDDAY: gold tumbles on fund liquidation

US MIDDAY: gold tumbles on fund liquidation

US gold futures plunged to two-month lows early Thursday on fund liquidation, and other precious metals mostly fell, trailing the euro, which hit a four-week low against the resurgent dollar, dealers said. By 10:42 am EST (1542 GMT), February delivery gol
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Roads District Officer office raided; record seized

Roads District Officer office raided; record seized

Anti-Corruption Deputy Superintendent Nisar Ahmed Brohi along with Senior Judicial Magistrate Khairpur conducted raid at the office of District Officer (Roads) Khairpur Shabir Ahmed Khooharo on Thursday and seized the entire roads' construction record of
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
266 fishermen handed over to Indian authorities

266 fishermen handed over to Indian authorities

Some 266 Indian fishermen were handed over to the Indian authorities at Wagah border, some 27-kilometer from here, on Thursday afternoon. The fishermen, arrested last year for illegal entry in Pakistani waters, were released from Karachi jail on Sunday la
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Railways generates over Rs 9 billion revenue in six months

Railways generates over Rs 9 billion revenue in six months

Federal Minister for Railways Mian Shamim Haider on Thursday said Railways generated revenue of Rs 9.082 billion in the first six months of the current financial year. Addressing a press conference here at Rawalpindi Railway Station the Minister said the
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Polling for NA-127 by-polls on February 27

Polling for NA-127 by-polls on February 27

The Chief Election Commissioner -former Chief Justice of Pakistan- Irshad Hasan Khan on Thursday issued the schedule for holding bye-election in NA-127 Lahore-X on February 27, 2005. This seat has fallen vacant due to resignation tendered by the Member Na
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Broad-based plan for rehabilitation of Mangla Dam victims

Broad-based plan for rehabilitation of Mangla Dam victims

An integrated phased plan is being evolved to streamline the performance of the Mirpur Development Authority harmonious to the need of the objectiveness of its emergence vis-a-vis rehabilitation of the shelterless old and upcoming victims of the Mangla Da
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Education ministry to have dynamic decision-makers: Qazi

Education ministry to have dynamic decision-makers: Qazi

The federal ministry of education would be stuffed with the fresh and dynamic decision-makers who would be responsible for the effective and timely disposal of cases, decisions and policy matters. The Federal Minister for Education, Lieutenant General Jav
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Farmers demand cut in fertiliser prices for 3 years

Farmers demand cut in fertiliser prices for 3 years

The Kissan Board of Pakistan (KBP) has urged the government to make 25 percent instant reduction in the prices of all the fertilisers and ensure the stagnancy of these 25 percent reduced prices of fertilisers for at least next three years. This was stated
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Minister affirms readiness to face WTO regime

Minister affirms readiness to face WTO regime

Minister for Textile Industry Chaudhry Mushtaq Ali Cheema has said Textile Sector of the country was ready to compete in the international market under WTO regime. Speaking in a PTV programme, he said Pakistani Textile Sector was prepared to a large exten
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Cottage industry to be promoted, says minister

Cottage industry to be promoted, says minister

Provincial Minister for Transport and Industries Mohammad Adil Siddiqui has said that the government is taking effective steps for the promotion and protection of cottage industry in the province. The minister was talking to a five-member delegation of Sm
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
25 percent freight subsidy on leather garment exports announced

25 percent freight subsidy on leather garment exports announced

The Federal government has announced a 25 percent sea and air freight subsidy on all the leather garments export consignments from January 1 to December 31 for enhancing the country's leather garment exports and boosting the national economy through the E
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Sales tax auditors

Sales tax auditors

I strongly support the letter of Iqbal Azad published on December 31, 2004 in your esteemed newspaper about the sales tax auditor which is quite correct. First of all a few month back the Central Board of Revenue suspended the audit for six months for sal
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Bureaucratic travails

Bureaucratic travails

Near the Abn Amro Bank off the side lane down Shahrah-e-Faisal lies a vacant amenity plot of a vast size. It is bounded by a tall wall on almost all sides except for the corner next to the road which serves as a famous dumping ground for wastage.
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Falling dirham is mixed blessing for UAE

Falling dirham is mixed blessing for UAE

The sliding dirham is squeezing margins at many large trading firms in the United Arab Emirates -- but local hotels and manufacturers are booming in the face of rising European demand. The UAE dirham, pegged to the US dollar at $1 is equal to 3.67 dirhams
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
ZTBL's restructuring success

ZTBL's restructuring success

The restructuring process of ZTBL is amongst the most challenging institutional reforms undertaken in Pakistan during the recent past. A loan of $250 million was negotiated with the Asian Development Bank under the Rural Finance Sector Development Program
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Empowering the minority shareholders

Empowering the minority shareholders

The spirit of the age is in favour of equality though practice denies it everywhere. The denial is more pronounced in the Third World, including Pakistan, where their lordships may compel less-equals to be equal upstairs, but there is never equality in th
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Need to revolutionise cotton economy

Need to revolutionise cotton economy

It is, indeed, heartening to learn from a Business Recorder report from Islamabad that the cotton crop this year appears to be poised to hit an all time record of 15 to 16 million bales exceeding the target by about three million bales. Arrivals at
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
America's new problem in Iraq

America's new problem in Iraq

While the invasion and occupation of Iraq has turned into a military blunder for the Bush administration strategists, the upcoming elections in the country seem to be leading them towards another unpleasant eventuality. During the recent weeks, there has
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
EDOs get 100 bikes to supervise EPI

EDOs get 100 bikes to supervise EPI

NWFP Health Minister Inayatullah formally handed over 100 motorcycles to the health executive district officers for strengthening the supportive supervision of immunisation programme in the province. In a special ceremony held here on Thursday the ministe
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Varan Tours stops operation for indefinite period

Varan Tours stops operation for indefinite period

Criticising the role of local administration and police, Uzma Gul, Chairperson of Varan Tours has announced the closure of the Varan transporters service for an indefinite period. She said that district administration and police have miserably failed to p
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Opposition given due regard: National Assembly speaker

Opposition given due regard: National Assembly speaker

National Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Amir Hussain has said record developmental work had been made in Balochistan during the present regime. While talking to newsmen after attending the function at Johar Public School here on Thursday, he asked the people t
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Action plan for destitute, disabled children discussed

Action plan for destitute, disabled children discussed

Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi on Wednesday has said the provincial government is preparing a comprehensive action plan for the cause of poor, destitute and disabled children in the province. The chief minister while chairing a meeting gave
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
LTIA concerned over frequent outages

LTIA concerned over frequent outages

The Chairman of Lahore Township Industries Association (LTIA), Nasrullah Mughal has expressed concern over repeated electricity outage in the industrial area. In a statement here on Thursday Mughal said that repeated electricity failures were causing a lo
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Wasa defaulters given 3 months to clear dues

Wasa defaulters given 3 months to clear dues

Governing Body of the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) has decided to entrust the task of collecting outstanding dues of Wasa to private sector, and has given a period of three months to its defaulters for clearing their dues. The meeting, which was cha
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Free medical camp

Free medical camp

Latif Ibrahim Jamal free medical camp will be held on January 9 (Sunday) from 10:00 am to 3:30 pm in the hospital premises at Agha Khan Road, Kharadar, Karachi. Eminent specialists will examine patients free of cost. The camp will also be attended by hosp
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Pakistan may face sugar crisis

Pakistan may face sugar crisis

In the face of shortage and high prices of sugar in the open market, Pakistan may face severe sugar crisis in the coming days. The government is not giving due attention to the increasing sugar prices, as a number of sugar mills owners are in power who ar
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
2,000 books sold during GCU's fair

2,000 books sold during GCU's fair

As many as 2,000 books were purchased from different stalls during 3-day book fair organised by Library Society of G.C. University, Lahore. In this book fair, 30 national and international publishers set up their stalls. President Pakistan Publishers Asso
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
'Apprenticeship must for trained manpower'

'Apprenticeship must for trained manpower'

Apprenticeship training always plays a vital role in bridging the gap between educational institutes and industry, apart from ensuring availability of trained manpower. LCCI President, Mian Misbah-ur-Rehman expressed these views while addressing one-day s
Published 07 Jan, 2005 12:00am
Previous Day