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Print - 2019-12-24
Holiday Notice

Holiday Notice

KARACHI: The office of Business Recorder will remain closed today, Wednesday (December 25) on account of birth anniversa
Updated 25 Dec, 2019 05:12pm
Government says IT on BISP spending not met

Government says IT on BISP spending not met

Pakistan has informed the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that end-September indicative target (IT) on BISP spending was not met due to technical constraints, but committed to rectify the shortfall by end-December and reaffirmed that budgetary allocatio
Published 24 Dec, 2019 12:00am
Two RLNG power plants: Privatisation committed

Two RLNG power plants: Privatisation committed

The federal government has committed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in the first review of IMF's Pakistan's extended fund facility that privatization of two RLNG power plants will be completed by end of financial year 2020, said a report relea
Published 24 Dec, 2019 12:00am
GST harmonization: IMF for setting up JWG

GST harmonization: IMF for setting up JWG

The Intern-ational Monetary Fund (IMF) has recommended Pakistan to establish a joint working group comprising Center and provinces to provide recommendations on General Sales Tax (GST) harmonization to be approved by the Council of Common Interests (CCI)
Published 24 Dec, 2019 12:00am
Four new structural benchmarks set

Four new structural benchmarks set

The Intern-ational Monetary Fund (IMF) has set four new structural benchmarks including avoiding the practice of issuing new preferential tax treatments or exemptions and presentation of the federal government mid-year budget review report to the National
Published 24 Dec, 2019 12:00am
There will be no tax amnesty schemes, IMF told

There will be no tax amnesty schemes, IMF told

Pakistan has committed to the international Monetary Fund (IMF) of not granting any further tax amnesty schemes. According to the Letter of Intent (LoI) submitted to IMF, Pakistan has stated that "we have refrained from granting further tax amnesties."
Published 24 Dec, 2019 12:00am
IMF says risks to outlook remain high

IMF says risks to outlook remain high

The absence of majority by the ruling party in the Senate of Pakistan may hinder the adoption of legislation needed to achieve program objectives, which could jeopardize the availability of external financing, besides a potential blacklisting by the Finan
Published 24 Dec, 2019 12:00am
Cotton production: Target revised downward for second time

Cotton production: Target revised downward for second time

The Cotton Crop Assessment Committee (CCAC) has revised cotton production target downward for the second time in current season (2019-20) by around 37 percent and set it at 9.45 million bales against the initial target of 15 million bales, it is learnt. T
Published 24 Dec, 2019 12:00am
Iran and India agree to speed up major port project

Iran and India agree to speed up major port project

Tehran and Delhi have agreed to accelerate the development of an important Iranian port, India's foreign minister said during a visit to the sanctions-hit Islamic republic on Monday.
Published 24 Dec, 2019 12:00am
Bilawal dares NAB officials to arrest him

Bilawal dares NAB officials to arrest him

Pakistan Peoples' Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Monday appeared in belligerent mood with state authorities, challenging the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to arrest him, if it has courage to do so.
Published 24 Dec, 2019 12:00am
Maryam's petition: Hearing adjourned to December 26

Maryam's petition: Hearing adjourned to December 26

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday adjourned for December 26 the hearing of petition of Maryam Nawaz. The court deferred the hearing and observed that it cannot issue any order till the government's decision on the matter.
Published 24 Dec, 2019 12:00am
Miftah Ismail gets bail

Miftah Ismail gets bail

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday granted post-arrest bail to former finance minister Miftah Ismail in the liquefied natural gas (LNG) corruption case.
Published 24 Dec, 2019 12:00am
PML-N's Ahsan Iqbal arrested

PML-N's Ahsan Iqbal arrested

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Monday arrested senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader and former interior minister Ahsan Iqbal in the Narowal Sport City Complex Project (NSCCP) scam.
Published 24 Dec, 2019 12:00am
Drive against unregistered units begins

Drive against unregistered units begins

The Directorate of Intelligence & Investigation, Inland Revenue, Karachi has kicked off massive campaign against persons involved in taxable activities without getting sales tax registration and payment of due taxes.
Published 24 Dec, 2019 12:00am
Bank holiday

Bank holiday

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and all banks will remain closed on December 25, 2019 (Wednesday) on the occasions of Quaid-e-Azam Day and Christmas, as declared by the Government of Pakistan.
Published 24 Dec, 2019 12:00am
Effective Jan 1, 2020: Yen added to ACU mechanism: SBP

Effective Jan 1, 2020: Yen added to ACU mechanism: SBP

Japanese yen has been added as the third currency along with USD and euro to the Asian Clearing Union (ACU) mechanism with effect from next year, a circular issued by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) said Monday.
Published 24 Dec, 2019 12:00am
Saudi court sentences five to death over Khashoggi murder

Saudi court sentences five to death over Khashoggi murder

Five people were sentenced to death Monday over Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi's murder, but two top aides to the powerful crown prince were exonerated as authorities said the killing was not premeditated.
Published 24 Dec, 2019 12:00am
Turnover tax to be slashed to 0.5 percent, FBR tells NA panel

Turnover tax to be slashed to 0.5 percent, FBR tells NA panel

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has stated that as per agreement with traders, turnover tax would be decreased from 1.5 percent to 0.5 percent and limit of annual turnover tax would be increased to Rs 100 million from Rs 10 million.
Published 24 Dec, 2019 12:00am
'Power sector'
Letters

'Power sector'

Business Recorder op-ed writer Farhat Ali in his latest contribution for the newspaper has again painstakingly highlighted the ills that afflict country's power sector. He has, for example, pointed out that "Circular debt is the outcome of lapses d
Updated 24 Dec, 2019 05:59am
It's a dog's life
Articles

It's a dog's life

This story starts in Dallas, Texas. I don't travel much now - having spent part of my professional life on the Wright Brothers' invention. Hurtling along at 30,000 feet in an aluminum cylinder is not much fun. Despite the creature comforts and the comely
Published 24 Dec, 2019 12:00am
Framework for a sustainable economic future
Articles

Framework for a sustainable economic future

Pakistan is unique in many ways and possesses many attributes which should have made it an economic and political powerhouse. We possess immense potential in terms of natural resources, a budding youth population with potential to form an energetic workfo
Updated 24 Dec, 2019 09:56am
Fall in industrial output
Articles

Fall in industrial output

The fall in output of the large-scale manufacturing sector has become pervasive and persistent in nature. Given the strong backward and forward linkages of this sector with other sectors of the national economy this does not auger well for GDP growth in 2
Updated 24 Dec, 2019 06:07am
Foreign policy debacle

Foreign policy debacle

What was being hinted at in media reports over the last few days has now been exposed by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Speaking to Turkish media on November 20, 2019, President Erdogan without pulling any punches claimed Saudi Arabia had coerced
Updated 24 Dec, 2019 06:30am
LSM down 6.48 percent: there's something wrong

LSM down 6.48 percent: there's something wrong

According to the latest provisional quantum index numbers of large-scale manufacturing (LSM) sector released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), the country witnessed a four-month decline (July-October) of 6.48 percent compared to the comparable p
Updated 24 Dec, 2019 06:30am
Musharraf's sentence: Appeal could be filed in SC: Awan

Musharraf's sentence: Appeal could be filed in SC: Awan

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Babar Awan on Monday categorically said that an appeal could be filed in the Supreme Court against the high treason case verdict by former president Pervez Musharraf in his absence.
Published 24 Dec, 2019 12:00am
Post-arrest bail petition of Rana: LHC to announce verdict today

Post-arrest bail petition of Rana: LHC to announce verdict today

The Lahore High Court on Monday reserved its verdict on post-arrest bail petition of former law minister Rana Sanaullah Khan in 15-kg heroin recovery case. Justice Chaudhry Mushtaq Ahmad observed, "The verdict will be announced today", after the lawyers o
Published 24 Dec, 2019 12:00am
Punjab Cabinet meets today

Punjab Cabinet meets today

Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar has called Punjab cabinet meeting at Darbar Hall of Civil Secretariat on Tuesday (today). The Cabinet meeting would ponder over 17-point agenda. Members of the provincial cabinet, advisors, special assistants, chi
Published 24 Dec, 2019 12:00am
Reduction in urea prices: another meeting remains inconclusive

Reduction in urea prices: another meeting remains inconclusive

Another meeting on reduction in urea prices presided over by Prime Minister's Adviser on Commerce, Industries and Production and Investment, Abdul Razak Dawood remained inconclusive, well-informed sources told Business Recorder.
Published 24 Dec, 2019 12:00am
Sonoura calls on COAS

Sonoura calls on COAS

Kentaro Sonoura, Special Adviser on Foreign Affairs to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan, called on General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of the Army Staff, on Monday. According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), matters of mutual interest including o
Published 24 Dec, 2019 12:00am
New DG NAB KP assumes charge

New DG NAB KP assumes charge

The newly posted Director General (DG) National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Brig Farooq Naser Awan SI (M) (R) on Monday assumed charge of his duty. On his first day in office, he reviewed the performance of the bureau and showed his con
Published 24 Dec, 2019 12:00am
Hearing of cases against Shahbaz adjourned till January 7

Hearing of cases against Shahbaz adjourned till January 7

Another accountability court on Monday adjourned to January 7 next the hearing of Ramazan Sugar Mills case against PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif and his son Hamza Shahbaz, the leader of opposition in Punjab Assembly.
Published 24 Dec, 2019 12:00am
Growers advised to properly use pesticides

Growers advised to properly use pesticides

The Met Office on Monday asked the farmers to use pesticides in a bid to avoid pest attacks on standing crops in line with the agriculture department's guidelines.
Published 24 Dec, 2019 12:00am
Sindh government urged to establish agro-based industry & grain markets

Sindh government urged to establish agro-based industry & grain markets

The Chairman Hyderabad SITE Association of Trade and Industry Mazhar-ul-Haq Choudhry has demanded Sindh Government to establish agro-based industry and grain markets in order to utilize available stuff in right direction not only for promotion of agricult
Published 24 Dec, 2019 12:00am
SBP accords approval to 'NIFT ePay'
Money & Banking

SBP accords approval to 'NIFT ePay'

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has granted an approval for commencement of pilot operations of National Institutional Facilitation Technologies' (NIFT) e-Commerce payment gateway called 'NIFT ePay'.
Published 24 Dec, 2019 12:00am
SESSI 'help desk' established

SESSI 'help desk' established

With the efforts of the Site Association of Industry (SAI), Sindh Employees Social Security Institution (SESSI) has set up a help desk for registration process of industrial workers for Online Payment of SESSI Contribution from Monday.
Published 24 Dec, 2019 12:00am
FPCCI elections: UBG, BMP gear up campaigns

FPCCI elections: UBG, BMP gear up campaigns

Two groups namely United Business Group (UBG) and Businessmen Panel (BMP) have geared their campaign up as the date for annual election of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) nearing which is scheduled to be held on December
Published 24 Dec, 2019 12:00am
KP PA condemns India's brutalities

KP PA condemns India's brutalities

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly on Monday unanimously condemned the brutalities by Indian security forces against Muslims in India and demanded of the federal government to tackle the issue through diplomatic channels.
Published 24 Dec, 2019 12:00am
MoR directed to retrieve its land in Lahore

MoR directed to retrieve its land in Lahore

A National Assembly's panel on Monday directed the Ministry of Railways to retrieve its precious land of 175 acres from encroachers in Lahore.
Published 24 Dec, 2019 12:00am
KP government prepares tourism development plan: CM

KP government prepares tourism development plan: CM

KP Chief Minister Mahmood Khan has said that the provincial government has prepared a comprehensive plan to promote tourism in the province which will not only improve the economy of the province but will also provide better employment opportunities to th
Published 24 Dec, 2019 12:00am
FPCCI polls: Two more chambers extend support to BMP panel

FPCCI polls: Two more chambers extend support to BMP panel

Two more chambers of commerce and industries extended support to Businessmen Panel (BMP) candidates in the upcoming annual elections of the Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) scheduled on 27th.
Published 24 Dec, 2019 12:00am
PMEX signs with Cloudasset to digitize payments

PMEX signs with Cloudasset to digitize payments

Pakistan Mercantile Exchange (PMEX), country's first and only multi-commodity futures exchange, signed an agreement with Cloudasset on December 16, 2019. Under this agreement, Cloudasset will provide digital transaction service platform to PMEX.
Published 24 Dec, 2019 12:00am
Pak-Qatar Takaful Group celebrates Qatar National Day

Pak-Qatar Takaful Group celebrates Qatar National Day

The Embassy of the State of Qatar held a reception hosted by Saqr bin Mubarak Al-Mansouri, Ambassador of Qatar to Pakistan on the occasion of Qatar National Day. Zahid Awan, CEO Pak-Qatar General Takaful attended the event and gave felicitations personall
Published 24 Dec, 2019 12:00am
Awareness seminar on 'Clean & Green Champion Program' held

Awareness seminar on 'Clean & Green Champion Program' held

The District Administration has launched "Clean & Green Champion Program" to achieve the best results of Clean & Green Pakistan Index under the vision of Prime Minister. In this connection an awareness seminar was held here at Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan Audito
Published 24 Dec, 2019 12:00am
UVAS, LDCMMC sign MoU

UVAS, LDCMMC sign MoU

The University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Lahore (UVAS) and Lahore Division Cattle Market Management Company (LDCMMC) signed a memorandum of understanding for improving bilateral association through research, capacity building trainings, planning &
Published 24 Dec, 2019 12:00am
Chohan criticises PML-N, PPP leaders

Chohan criticises PML-N, PPP leaders

Information Minister Punjab Fayyaz-ul-Hassan Chohan said that PML-N politics begins with the TTs and ends in fruitless squealing once their TTs obtained from laundered money are caught.
Published 24 Dec, 2019 12:00am
CAA exposes real face of 'secular' India: Buzdar

CAA exposes real face of 'secular' India: Buzdar

Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar Monday said the whole of India is agitating against the most controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 adding that Indians have completely rejected this worst law. "This law has exposed the black face of so-
Published 24 Dec, 2019 12:00am
'Non-functional filtration plants to be made operational'

'Non-functional filtration plants to be made operational'

Punjab Aab-e-Pak Authority (PAPA) has decided to make operational all non-functional filtration plants across the province of Punjab including Lahore. In this regard, special teams will be constituted for making functional of such filtration plants while
Published 24 Dec, 2019 12:00am
PPP's planned rally in Rawalpindi

PPP's planned rally in Rawalpindi

The government has refused permission to hold a public rally at Liaquat Bagh Rawalpindi on the martyrdom anniversary of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. Senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, the spokesman for the Pakistan People's Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in
Published 24 Dec, 2019 12:00am
Rs 6 billion grant for USC approved by cabinet

Rs 6 billion grant for USC approved by cabinet

The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet has approved a proposal of Ministry of Industries & Production for utilization of Rs 6 billion for subsidy and procurement of essential commodities for the Utility Stores Corporation (USC) of Pakist
Published 24 Dec, 2019 12:00am
Combined income groups: weekly SPI inflation edges down by 0.03 percent

Combined income groups: weekly SPI inflation edges down by 0.03 percent

The Sensitive Price Index (SPI) based inflation for combined income groups during the week ended December 19, 2019 witnessed a slight reduction of 0.03 percent against December 12, 2019 as it came down from 130.06 points to 130.02 points, said the data re
Published 24 Dec, 2019 12:00am
Pakistan hails Afghan presidential election results

Pakistan hails Afghan presidential election results

Pakistan on Monday welcomed the announcement of preliminary results of Afghan presidential elections in which Ashraf Ghani is set to lead for another term. "We note that the final results would be announced after completion of adjudication process within
Published 24 Dec, 2019 12:00am
AQ Khan moves SC

AQ Khan moves SC

Nuclear scientist Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan on Monday approached the apex court against the order of the Lahore High Court. He filed his petition through Zubair Afzal Rana under Article 185(3) and made the federation through secretary interior and Strategic Pl
Published 24 Dec, 2019 12:00am
COAS visits LoC

COAS visits LoC

Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Bajwa Monday visited the Line of Control (LOC), according to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). According to a tweet by DG ISPR Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor, the Army Chief visited the LoC, where he also spoke to
Published 24 Dec, 2019 12:00am
PD says will investigate KE tariff
Energy

PD says will investigate KE tariff

Power Division on Monday announced that it would investigate how Karachi Electric (KE) was able to sell "cheaper" electricity, by Rs 6.31 per unit, to its industrial consumers as compared to industrial consumers in other parts of the country.
Published 24 Dec, 2019 12:00am
Karam Ceramics Limited
Brief Recordings

Karam Ceramics Limited

Karam Ceramics Limited (PSX: KCL) was established in 1979 as a public limited company. It provides tiles of various sizes for indoor and outdoor as well as bathroom flooring. Some of the company's well-known clientele include Dolmen Mall, Kidney Center, S
Updated 24 Dec, 2019 11:46am
China slams Pompeo criticism of Syria aid veto

China slams Pompeo criticism of Syria aid veto

China Monday hit back at the US for criticising its blocking of a UN Security Council resolution over civilian aid, accusing Washington of "politicising humanitarian issues."
Published 24 Dec, 2019 12:00am
Don't push 'on' button of irreversible change: top climate scientist

Don't push 'on' button of irreversible change: top climate scientist

Johan Rockstrom, Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), is a Big Picture scientist who strives to see how all the pieces of our planet's complex climate system fit together. In 2009 he co-authored the "planetary boundaries" c
Published 24 Dec, 2019 12:00am
Japan's Abe urges Hong Kong freedoms in Xi meeting

Japan's Abe urges Hong Kong freedoms in Xi meeting

Hong Kong should "continue to be free and open", Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told the Chinese president on Monday, as the city is rocked by months of pro-democracy protests.
Published 24 Dec, 2019 12:00am
Taliban claim attack that killed US soldier

Taliban claim attack that killed US soldier

The Taliban claimed responsibility for an attack Monday on American troops that killed one US soldier and, according to the insurgents, wounded several more.
Published 24 Dec, 2019 12:00am
Israeli strike on Syria killed three regime loyalists

Israeli strike on Syria killed three regime loyalists

A war monitor said Monday that air raids in Syria the previous night, blamed on Israel, killed at least three foreign pro-regime fighters south of the war-torn country's capital. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Sunday night's at
Published 24 Dec, 2019 12:00am
Russia tests 'sovereign' internet amid fears of online isolation

Russia tests 'sovereign' internet amid fears of online isolation

Russia carried out tests Monday to ensure the "security" of its internet infrastructure in case of a foreign cyberattack as part of measures that rights activists worry could also tighten censorship and lead to online isolation.
Published 24 Dec, 2019 12:00am
Iran's Arak reactor secondary circuit goes online

Iran's Arak reactor secondary circuit goes online

A secondary circuit for Iran's Arak heavy water reactor has become operational as part of its redesign under the 2015 nuclear deal, the country's atomic energy chief said on Monday. "Today a significant part of the reactor becomes operational," Ali Akbar
Published 24 Dec, 2019 12:00am
Syria regime forces surround Turkish army post in Idlib: monitor

Syria regime forces surround Turkish army post in Idlib: monitor

Syrian government forces surrounded a Turkish observation post in the northwest province of Idlib on Monday after overrunning nearby areas, a war monitor said. "Regime forces have surrounded the Turkish observation post in Al-Surman after capturing severa
Published 24 Dec, 2019 12:00am
Beijing attacks US for 'weaponisation' of outer space

Beijing attacks US for 'weaponisation' of outer space

Beijing warned Monday that the US was turning the cosmos into a "battlefield", after Washington announced a new military arm called the Space Force. Following concerns that China and Russia are challenging its position in space, US President Donald Trump
Published 24 Dec, 2019 12:00am
Kohli declares 2019 'great year' for India after West Indies win
Cricket

Kohli declares 2019 'great year' for India after West Indies win

Virat Kohli declared it "a great year" for India cricket after ending 2019 on a high with a series-clinching win over the West Indies. The India captain's masterful 85 set up a successful 316-run chase on Sunday to win the third one-day international by f
Published 24 Dec, 2019 12:00am