AGL 37.01 Decreased By ▼ -0.99 (-2.61%)
AIRLINK 132.60 Decreased By ▼ -4.09 (-2.99%)
BOP 5.51 Increased By ▲ 0.09 (1.66%)
CNERGY 3.79 Decreased By ▼ -0.04 (-1.04%)
DCL 7.48 Decreased By ▼ -0.11 (-1.45%)
DFML 44.81 Decreased By ▼ -1.24 (-2.69%)
DGKC 81.20 Increased By ▲ 0.85 (1.06%)
FCCL 28.65 Increased By ▲ 0.62 (2.21%)
FFBL 54.75 Decreased By ▼ -0.46 (-0.83%)
FFL 8.55 Decreased By ▼ -0.03 (-0.35%)
HUBC 107.90 Decreased By ▼ -4.75 (-4.22%)
HUMNL 13.56 Increased By ▲ 1.23 (9.98%)
KEL 3.81 Decreased By ▼ -0.04 (-1.04%)
KOSM 7.04 Decreased By ▼ -1.03 (-12.76%)
MLCF 36.25 Increased By ▲ 1.14 (3.25%)
NBP 67.30 Increased By ▲ 1.30 (1.97%)
OGDC 169.49 Decreased By ▼ -1.67 (-0.98%)
PAEL 24.88 Decreased By ▼ -0.30 (-1.19%)
PIBTL 6.15 Decreased By ▼ -0.05 (-0.81%)
PPL 130.70 Decreased By ▼ -2.15 (-1.62%)
PRL 24.50 Increased By ▲ 0.10 (0.41%)
PTC 15.77 Increased By ▲ 1.25 (8.61%)
SEARL 57.80 Decreased By ▼ -1.15 (-1.95%)
TELE 6.99 Decreased By ▼ -0.10 (-1.41%)
TOMCL 34.73 Decreased By ▼ -0.27 (-0.77%)
TPLP 7.70 Decreased By ▼ -0.39 (-4.82%)
TREET 13.96 Decreased By ▼ -0.34 (-2.38%)
TRG 44.25 Decreased By ▼ -1.34 (-2.94%)
UNITY 25.15 Decreased By ▼ -0.84 (-3.23%)
WTL 1.18 Decreased By ▼ -0.02 (-1.67%)
BR100 9,082 Decreased By -1.8 (-0.02%)
BR30 27,380 Decreased By -251 (-0.91%)
KSE100 85,483 Increased By 30.2 (0.04%)
KSE30 27,160 Increased By 10.7 (0.04%)
Print - 2020-04-03
SCCI to provide 40 isolation rooms, 10 ventilators
Business & Economy

SCCI to provide 40 isolation rooms, 10 ventilators

President Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) Muhammad Ashraf Malik discussed, matters pertaining to prevailing COVID-19 pandemic, here last evening with Provincial Minister of Special Education Punjab Chaudhry Mohammed Akhlaq, Commissioner Gu
Published 03 Apr, 2020 12:00am
UAF develops antiviral sanitizer as per WHO standards

UAF develops antiviral sanitizer as per WHO standards

The University of Agriculture Faisalabad has developed hand and surface sanitizer as per standards of World Health Organization (WHO) in order to provide the international standards sanitizer to the public to fight against coronavirus.
Published 03 Apr, 2020 12:00am
US agency seeks 100,000 body bags

US agency seeks 100,000 body bags

The main US disaster response agency has asked the Defense Department for 100,000 body bags as the toll mounts from the novel coronavirus, the Pentagon said Thursday.
Published 03 Apr, 2020 12:00am
Dr Zafar confirms 31 deaths, 2291 positive cases

Dr Zafar confirms 31 deaths, 2291 positive cases

Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on National Health Dr Zafar Mirza on Thursday confirmed 31 deaths from coronavirus across the country, and said that total 2,291 cases of coronavirus had been reported of which nine were serious.
Published 03 Apr, 2020 12:00am
List of units not at risk of virus spread readied: PM

List of units not at risk of virus spread readied: PM

Prime Minister Imran Khan has described striking a balance between ensuring continuation of industrial activities without spread of the coronavirus as a major challenge for the government.
Published 03 Apr, 2020 12:00am
MoF yet to revise fiscal deficit figures

MoF yet to revise fiscal deficit figures

The Finance Ministry has yet to rationalise figures of fiscal deficit subsequent to relief package announced by the prime minister on March 24, however work is in progress, stated spokesman of the ministry, Omer Hameed. On March 26, mediapersons asked Adv
Published 03 Apr, 2020 12:00am
Hussain Dawood announces Rs 1 billion donation

Hussain Dawood announces Rs 1 billion donation

For the fight against COVID-19 in Pakistan, Hussain Dawood, Thursday, on behalf of Engro, Dawood Hercules and his family pledged a contribution in services, kind and cash of Rs 1 billion for the short, medium and long-term.
Published 03 Apr, 2020 12:00am
CII urges people to offer Friday prayers at home

CII urges people to offer Friday prayers at home

The Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) Chairman, Dr Qibla Ayaz, urged the people to offer Friday prayers at home amid preventive measures to avoid the spread of the coronavirus.
Published 03 Apr, 2020 12:00am
Forex reserves plunge $1.5 billion in March

Forex reserves plunge $1.5 billion in March

The country's total liquid foreign exchange reserves posted a notable decline of $1.5 billion during March, mainly due to massive outflow of hot money.
Published 03 Apr, 2020 12:00am
Exports post over 6.5 percent negative growth

Exports post over 6.5 percent negative growth

The country's exports have posted over 6.5 per cent negative growth in March 2020 to $ 1.847 billion as compared to $ 1.976 billion in the corresponding month of 2019 as the Coronavirus factor has started hitting the exports.
Published 03 Apr, 2020 12:00am
Moody's scales down growth to 2-2.5 percent

Moody's scales down growth to 2-2.5 percent

Moody's Investors Service has revised downward the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) forecast for Pakistan from 2.9 percent to 2-2.5 percent, ie, by up to 0.9 percent for 2020.
Published 03 Apr, 2020 12:00am
SBP rules, regulations: Government all set to incorporate changes

SBP rules, regulations: Government all set to incorporate changes

The government is all set to incorporate changes to State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) rules and regulations through the SBP (amendment) Bill 2020 meant to ensure the autonomy of Central Bank to promote collegial decision making in the bank to address the confl
Published 03 Apr, 2020 12:00am
Byco plans to install DHDS & FCC units
Energy

Byco plans to install DHDS & FCC units

Byco Petroleum Pakistan Limited (Byco) has announced its decision to establish a diesel hydro de-sulphurising (DHDS) unit and a fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) unit. An Extraordinary General Meeting of Byco's shareholders was held on Thursday to approve th
Published 03 Apr, 2020 12:00am
Novartis, Aurobindo call off Sandoz sale

Novartis, Aurobindo call off Sandoz sale

Swiss pharmaceuticals giant Novartis said Thursday it had struck a mutual agreement with Aurobindo Pharma to cancel a deal to sell Sandoz to the Indian firm.
Published 03 Apr, 2020 12:00am
SECP reduces fees for various regulated activities

SECP reduces fees for various regulated activities

To reduce cost of doing business of corporate sector, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) on Thursday reduced fees for various regulated activities including renewal of licenses of Private Fund Management Company, Real Estate Investm
Published 03 Apr, 2020 12:00am
Terminals waive demurrages on imports till April 5

Terminals waive demurrages on imports till April 5

Port terminal operators have agreed to waive demurrages on the import containers arrived from March 20 to April 5, 2020 in order to facilitate importers during the lockdown announced by the Sindh government to avert the spread of COVID-19 in the country.
Published 03 Apr, 2020 12:00am
Oil sales decline by 29 percent on YoY basis

Oil sales decline by 29 percent on YoY basis

The oil sales in the country have declined by 29 percent on year-on-year basis to 1.03 million tons in March 2020, lowest monthly sales since 2006. The oil sales in March 2019 were 1.46 million tons.
Published 03 Apr, 2020 12:00am
Global food crisis in the offing?
Letters

Global food crisis in the offing?

Is the entire world bracing for a severe food crisis? Yes, it is. The warning has been issued by the heads of three global agencies that a potential worldwide food shortage if authorities fail to manage the ongoing corona virus crisis properly. Countries
Published 03 Apr, 2020 12:00am
Coronavirus and economic policy
Articles

Coronavirus and economic policy

First of all it makes sense to realize that the COVID-19 just did not hit the world from out of the blue. In fact, according to a research article 'Coronavirus: a paradigm of new emerging zoonotic diseases' which was recently published in February 2020, i
Updated 03 Apr, 2020 09:22am
Covid-19 pandemic, leadership & apathy
Articles

Covid-19 pandemic, leadership & apathy

In a country of about 210 million people, about 10,000 individuals, prominent in business or profession or holding key positions in state institutions, think they know each and everything and can fix the multiple and complex problems faced by Pakistan, ei
Published 03 Apr, 2020 12:00am
Feeble steps forward

Feeble steps forward

After a series of stops and starts, the implementation of the prisoners exchange agreed between the US and Taliban in the peace deal signed in Doha, Qatar, on February 29, 2020 seems about to begin. The Taliban had originally planned to send a 10-member t
Updated 03 Apr, 2020 05:45am
Stimulus/relief measures

Stimulus/relief measures

Grave financial crises seem to bring out the best in leaders of the world's richest countries, especially the G20, as once again the group of major economies has pledged to inject fiscal spending worth $5 trillion into the global economy to limit economic
Updated 03 Apr, 2020 05:44am
Farhan Shafi appointed PMDC MD

Farhan Shafi appointed PMDC MD

The federal cabinet has approved the appointment of Farhan Shafi as managing director Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation (Pvt) Limited for a period of three years.
Published 03 Apr, 2020 12:00am
Two PIA flights carrying Canadians off to Toronto
Business & Economy

Two PIA flights carrying Canadians off to Toronto

Two flights of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) carrying Canadians on Thursday left for Toronto from Karachi and Lahore. According to details, the flight operation was resumed on the request of Canadian government to fly back its citizens stranded in
Published 03 Apr, 2020 12:00am
Navy distributes ration bags in different cities

Navy distributes ration bags in different cities

While the country is combating coronavirus Pandemic, Pakistan Navy is extending its support to affected families in prevalent precarious state of affair due to lockdown.
Published 03 Apr, 2020 12:00am
PM's Relief Fund: OGDCL employees donate two-day salary

PM's Relief Fund: OGDCL employees donate two-day salary

All employees of Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) has donated their two-day salary in the PM's Relief Fund established to mitigate financial sufferings of the people affected due to economic slowdown caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19) out
Published 03 Apr, 2020 12:00am
Outbreak of COVID-19: Interior ministry takes number of steps

Outbreak of COVID-19: Interior ministry takes number of steps

The Ministry of Interior has taken a number of steps including sealing of western border and the Wagha border, and compilation of international passengers' data to deal with the outbreak of the COVID-19 in coordination with the federal and provincial agen
Published 03 Apr, 2020 12:00am
SC dismisses verdict to restore police constable

SC dismisses verdict to restore police constable

The Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed Service Tribunal verdict to restore Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa police constable. A two-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed, heard KP government appeal against the Service Tribunal to restore Shahid Khan on his
Published 03 Apr, 2020 12:00am
Coronavirus patient dies in Hyderabad

Coronavirus patient dies in Hyderabad

Coronavirus patient belonged to Tando Mohammed Khan has died at Civil Hospital Hyderabad Isolation Ward, said MS Civil Hospital Doctor Mazhar Khalor.
Published 03 Apr, 2020 12:00am
FFC Mirpur Mathelo kicks off ration distribution drive

FFC Mirpur Mathelo kicks off ration distribution drive

Answering the call of government and being a responsible corporate citizen Fauji Fertilizer Company (FFC) Mirpur Mathelo has stood up to facilitate District Management Ghotki in building a 60-bed quarantine centre. At the same time, owing to the governmen
Published 03 Apr, 2020 12:00am
Peshawar Zalmay chief presents Rs 10 million to PM

Peshawar Zalmay chief presents Rs 10 million to PM

Chief Executive Office of Haier Pakistan and Chairman of Peshawar Zalmay cricket team Muhamaad Javed Afridi Thursday called on Prime Minister Imran Khan and presented a cheque of Rs10 million for PM's Corona Relief Fund on behalf of Zalmay Foundation.
Published 03 Apr, 2020 12:00am
PO's mail delivery system continues unbated
Business & Economy

PO's mail delivery system continues unbated

Pakistan Post continues to deliver mail across the country with all its 13,000 departmental offices operational while it has stopped the mail delivered by air and railways in line with the federal government's decision to stop aerial and railways operatio
Published 03 Apr, 2020 12:00am
Talks with LNG terminal companies: CCoE sets up sub-committee
Energy

Talks with LNG terminal companies: CCoE sets up sub-committee

Cabinet Committee on Energy (CCoE) has constituted a sub-committee to deliberate the matter on a summary moved by the Petroleum Division regarding negotiations with the LNG terminal companies. Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asa
Published 03 Apr, 2020 12:00am
Sindh releases Rs 264 million to control pye-dogs' population

Sindh releases Rs 264 million to control pye-dogs' population

Sectary Local Government Roshan Ali Shaikh on Thursday said that Sindh Government has started a humane method of controlling the dog population with adopting a scientific method of controlling the street dogs problem in the province.
Published 03 Apr, 2020 12:00am
Pakistan desirous of hosting Saarc health ministers moot

Pakistan desirous of hosting Saarc health ministers moot

Pakistan on Thursday reiterated its desire to host the health ministers from the SAARC member states with a view to collectively fight the COVID-19 in the region, besides demanded the proposed "emergency" should be placed under the supervision of the secr
Published 03 Apr, 2020 12:00am
EU chief proposes Europe-wide unemployment guarantee
Global Business Economy

EU chief proposes Europe-wide unemployment guarantee

The EU on Thursday proposed a bloc-wide guarantee that could raise 100 billion euros ($109 billion) to aid strained national unemployment schemes as millions of jobs are hit by efforts to slow the coronavirus outbreak.
Published 03 Apr, 2020 12:00am
Boeing announces voluntary layoff plan
Global Business Economy

Boeing announces voluntary layoff plan

Boeing unveiled a voluntary worker layoff program Thursday, telling employees that it hoped to avoid "other workforce actions" as the aviation industry reels from the coronavirus crisis.
Published 03 Apr, 2020 12:00am
US, eurozone output to crash in Q2: Fitch
Stocks

US, eurozone output to crash in Q2: Fitch

The US and eurozone economies will see massive contractions this quarter of up to 30 percent on an annualised basis and a recovery to pre-coronavirus crisis levels will not come before the end of 2021, ratings agency Fitch said Thursday.
Published 03 Apr, 2020 12:00am
British Airways temporarily lays off 28,000 staff
Global Business Economy

British Airways temporarily lays off 28,000 staff

Flagship airline British Airways will temporarily lay off 28,000 employees, or 60 percent of its workforce, due to the coronavirus crisis which is paralysing the sector, trade union Unite announced Thursday.
Published 03 Apr, 2020 12:00am
Spain posts record rise in jobless claims in March
Global Business Economy

Spain posts record rise in jobless claims in March

Spain registered a leap of 302,265 jobless claims in March, the biggest on record, due to the "extraordinary impact" of the coronavirus pandemic, the labour ministry said Thursday. "This is a historic figure," Labour Minister Yolanda Diaz told a news conf
Published 03 Apr, 2020 12:00am
US trade deficit near 3-1/2-year low
Global Business Economy

US trade deficit near 3-1/2-year low

The US trade deficit dropped to near a 3-1/2-year low in February as the coronavirus pandemic pushed imports from China to their lowest level since 2009. The Commerce Department said on Thursday the trade deficit fell 12.2% to $39.9 billion, the lowest le
Published 03 Apr, 2020 12:00am
Philippines ambassador to Lebanon dies of Covid-19

Philippines ambassador to Lebanon dies of Covid-19

The Philippines' ambassador to Lebanon died of coronavirus Thursday, a statement said, one of only 16 recorded deaths in the country since the start of the pandemic. The Philippines' department of foreign affairs expressed its "deep sadness" at the passin
Published 03 Apr, 2020 12:00am
Iran, US heat up war of words

Iran, US heat up war of words

Iran said Thursday it "only acts in self-defence" after President Donald Trump warned it against attacks on US troops in Iraq, as a new war of words heated up despite the coronavirus pandemic.
Published 03 Apr, 2020 12:00am
Asia's naphtha cracks plunge to lowest since 2008
Energy

Asia's naphtha cracks plunge to lowest since 2008

Asia's naphtha crack dived by more than 220% to its lowest since the 2008 financial crisis as supplies remained abundant despite global refineries cutting runs to combat a hit to demand because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Published 03 Apr, 2020 12:00am
PMEX daily trading report
Commodities

PMEX daily trading report

On Wednesday at Pakistan Mercantile Exchange Limited, PMEX Commodity Index closed at 3,484. The traded value of metals, energy and COTS/FX was recorded at PKR 5.148 billion and the number of lots traded was 14,144.
Published 03 Apr, 2020 12:00am
CBOT corn futures hit fresh lows
Commodities

CBOT corn futures hit fresh lows

Chicago Board of Trade corn futures fell for a fourth straight session on Wednesday and hit fresh lows in most contracts as coronavirus fears hammered broader markets and government data showed a steep drop in ethanol output, traders said.
Published 03 Apr, 2020 12:00am
Euronext wheat falls to one week low
Commodities

Euronext wheat falls to one week low

Euronext wheat fell on Wednesday to one week low, pressured by a drop in Chicago as futures retreated from recent highs but still underpinned by strong export demand for European supplies. Benchmark May milling wheat futures on Paris-based Euronext settle
Published 03 Apr, 2020 12:00am
Activities at Karachi Port and Port Qasim
Business & Economy

Activities at Karachi Port and Port Qasim

The Karachi Port handled 78,427 tonnes of cargo comprising 44,100 tonnes of import cargo and 34,327 tonnes of export cargo including 5,069 loaded and empty containers during the last 24 hours ending at 0700 hours on Thursday.
Published 03 Apr, 2020 12:00am
Cotton growers facing problems
Cotton & Textile

Cotton growers facing problems

Businessmen and traders, particularly growers are facing a lot of problems in the absence of provision of basic requirements, some dealers and experts informed on phone on Thursday.
Published 03 Apr, 2020 12:00am
Canadian canola futures fall
Commodities

Canadian canola futures fall

ICE Canadian canola futures fell on Wednesday, pressured by weakness in soyabeans and a sinking stock market. Canola crush margins worsened and canola prices appear to have further downside, a trader said.
Published 03 Apr, 2020 12:00am
CBOT wheat futures fall on firmer dollar
Commodities

CBOT wheat futures fall on firmer dollar

Chicago Board of Trade wheat futures ended down on Wednesday, with the most active contract seeing its biggest percentage drop in 7-1/2 months as the dollar firmed and coronavirus fears dragged down broader markets, traders said.
Published 03 Apr, 2020 12:00am
SE Asia stocks: Thailand, Malaysia up
Stocks

SE Asia stocks: Thailand, Malaysia up

Thailand shares closed higher on Thursday on hopes of fresh stimulus measures to cushion the coronavirus' impact on its economy, while Malaysian equities gained as the rate of new infections slowed.
Published 03 Apr, 2020 12:00am
Oil price rebound aids major Gulf indexes
Stocks

Oil price rebound aids major Gulf indexes

Major Middle East stock markets closed higher on Thursday, helped by a bounce-back in oil prices although fears of a deep global recession due to the coronavirus outbreak limited gains.
Published 03 Apr, 2020 12:00am
European stocks scrape out gains
Stocks

European stocks scrape out gains

A late-session rally in the energy sector helped European stocks end slightly higher on Thursday, with sentiment remaining fragile after a sharp rise in US unemployment claims showed further evidence of the coronavirus' economic impact.
Published 03 Apr, 2020 12:00am
Wall Street dives 4 percent
Stocks

Wall Street dives 4 percent

Wall Street's three major indexes fell more than 4% on Wednesday, after President Donald Trump's dire warning on the US death toll from the coronavirus sent investors running from even the most defensive equities.
Published 03 Apr, 2020 12:00am
Japan shares lower
Stocks

Japan shares lower

Japanese stocks fell for a fourth straight session on Thursday, hit by concerns the country was on the verge of a coronavirus crisis as the global death toll continued to climb.
Published 03 Apr, 2020 12:00am
Oil majors pull FTSE 100 up
Stocks

Oil majors pull FTSE 100 up

Surging oil prices lifted UK's commodity-heavy FTSE 100 on Thursday, although the mood was fragile as Britain saw a record surge in deaths from the coronavirus pandemic that threatens to plunge the world economy into a deep recession.
Published 03 Apr, 2020 12:00am
China stocks rise
Money & Banking

China stocks rise

China stocks settled higher on Thursday, led by energy shares as crude oil futures jumped on hopes for a deal to end the price war between Saudi Arabia and Russia, and by tech firms.
Published 03 Apr, 2020 12:00am
Sterling climbs against euro
Money & Banking

Sterling climbs against euro

Sterling hit a three-week high versus the euro on Thursday and held recent gains versus the dollar, as the British currency was swept up in global market swings that weakened the euro broadly.
Published 03 Apr, 2020 12:00am
Asian currencies slip
Money & Banking

Asian currencies slip

Most Asian currencies inched lower on Thursday as a warning from US President Donald Trump about the coronavirus death toll heightened fears of a global recession and soured risk appetite.
Published 03 Apr, 2020 12:00am
Dollar maintains gains in Europe
Money & Banking

Dollar maintains gains in Europe

The dollar firmed on Thursday but paused its strong rally of recent weeks after the Federal Reserve helped US currency liquidity in financial markets by making it easier for other central banks to access the greenback.
Published 03 Apr, 2020 12:00am
People throng banks to get salaries, pensions
Business & Economy

People throng banks to get salaries, pensions

After remaining confined to homes for over a week and running short of money, a large number of people, particularly elderly persons, were seen standing shoulder-to-shoulder in queues outside various banks for the withdrawal of pensions and salaries in th
Published 03 Apr, 2020 12:00am