News Archive: October 30th, 2009

National

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Pakistan ‘hard to believe’ on Al Qaeda: Clinton

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton struck an assertive tone in Pakistan on Thursday, hitting out at its government over Al-Qaeda and calling for better management of the economy.

Clinton kicks off last day in Pakistan

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton prepared Friday to wrap up a diplomatic mission to Pakistan overshadowed by an outburst against the government over Al-Qaeda and a massive bomb attack, AFP reports…

CJ opts out from bench in PCO judges’ cases

Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry has opted out from the bench which will hear the unconditional apology and contempt of court cases of PCO judges, including Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar, and the…

Two schools, health unit blown up in Hangu

Militants have blown up two schools and a basic health unit in Shahu Khail area of district Hangu.           According to official sources the militants targeted a government high school and a private…

NRO passage will be a stigma on the parliament: Chaudhry Nisar

PML-N’s Chaudhry Nisar said the law committee itself is unconstitutional, and that the government is approaching PML-Q MNAs to garner support for the bill. He also pledged that the PML-N will oppose…

Strong earthquake strikes Afghanistan and Pakistan

A 5.0 magnitude shallow earthquake jolted northern Pakistani cities Friday, but there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage, officials said.

At least 14 militants killed in South Waziristan

At least 14 militants were killed over the past day, the military said, adding that it is closing in on a prominent guerrilla stronghold in the mountains of South Waziristan.

Govt, mill owners agree to sell sugar at Rs40 per kg

The Supreme Court was informed on Friday that the government and mill owners have agreed to sell sugar to domestic consumers at Rs40 per kg.

Clinton leaves Pakistan with pointed question on al Qaeda

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton wound up a bridge-building visit to Pakistan on Friday leaving a pointed question ringing in her hosts’ ears: Where are the al Qaeda leaders operating in your…

Al-Qaeda sleeper agent sentenced to more than 8 years

A US judge sentenced Al Qaeda sleeper agent Ali al-Marri to more than eight years in prison on Thursday, rejecting pleas from prosecutors for a much longer jail term.

UN chief pleads for extra Afghan security

United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon Thursday warned that the world body was vulnerable to more attacks in the week leading up to the Afghan elections and pleaded for more help to protect his staff.

Roadside bomb kills eight Afghan civilians

A roadside bomb struck a station wagon in Afghanistan on Friday, killing eight civilians, including a woman, a provincial government spokesman said.

Mild quake hits Pakistan, Afghanistan

A moderate earthquake cantered in Afghanistan caused tremors across Pakistan's northwest and parts of Afghanistan, a meteorology official said.

Business & Economy

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China keen to participate in PM’s housing scheme

China has expressed keen interest in participating in the Prime Minister’s Housing Scheme to develop affordable houses for every Pakistani.

Distribution of national resources: provinces may agree on multiple criteria

The federal government and federating units are likely to agree on evolving a multiple-factors criteria in place of population based distribution of national resources. This was announced by Federal Minister…

Compensation for anti-terrorism drive: provinces agree to provide special package to NWFP

Punjab Finance Minister, Ashraf Kaira Thursday said that the stance of NWFP that special package be given to the province under NFC Award for compensating losses it suffered due to war against terrorism…

Tarin meets Owais Ghani

The Federal Minister for Finance, Shaukat Tarin had a courtesy call on with the NWFP Governor, Owais Ahmed Ghani at Governor House, Peshawar on Thursday. Shaukat Tarin who is in the provincial metropolis…

Ability to service obligations deteriorated

Pakistan''s ability to service its current forex obligations has deteriorated with total debt and liabilities stock recording a 27 percent increase in FY09, slightly lower than 27.4 rise a year ago. The…

TDL Stock up 27.0 percent in fiscal year 2009

Despite small fiscal deficit Pakistan''s total debt and liabilities (TDL) stock recorded a substantial 27.0 percent increase in FY09, the State Bank revealed in its annual report on Thursday. The SBP …

Fiscal year 2010 inflation target would not be achieved

Inflationary pressure is still emerging in the country due to weak fiscal space and rising commodity prices in international market, therefore 9.5 percent annual inflation target for the current fiscal…

Growth projected at 2.5-3.5 percent

After presenting poor performance during last fiscal year, Pakistan''s economy is showing a gradual recovery and real gross domestic product (GDP) growth is likely to be close to the target of 3.3 percent…

Maintaining improvement in external account a challenge

Maintaining the improvement in external account would be challenging, as after the sharp rise in the last four successive years, the current account deficit contracted considerably to 5.3 percent of GDP…

Wahgah-Khyber trade: Clinton sees accord by year-end

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has expressed optimism that agreement between Pakistan and Afghanistan on Wahgah-Khyber trade will be signed by the end of this year. She was responding to a question…

Businessmen assured of access to US markets

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has assured Pakistani businessmen of an access to the American markets; the US is willing to extend full co-operation at all levels and wants to invest in Pakistan…

Saarc launches trade information portal

The South Asian Association of Regional Countries (SAARC) on Thursday launched the first official trade information portal. The portal would be a single point to access all kinds of business and trade…

PKMA for hike in duty on spices imported under ATT

Traders are demanding to increase customs duty on spices imported under Afghan Transit Trade (ATT) for curbing smuggling of the commodities into the local markets, which inflicts billion of rupees losses…

62 million people fall below poverty line

Poverty ratio in the country is rapidly rising due to sharp increase in inflation and reduction in subsidies, and as per World Bank, poverty has reached at 36.1 percent with 2.3 percent increase, which…

DHA/PHA Maymar projects: TIP appeals to people to protect their rights

Syed Adil Gilani Chairman Transparency International Pakistan (TIP) has appealed to the public to protect their rights. According to The Sindh Buildings Control Ordinance, 1979 Section 12, following requirements…

SBP calls for enhancing spending on human, physical infrastructure

The State Bank of Pakistan has suggested that the structure of the expenditure block needs to be changed and non-productive expenditures should be curtailed by enhancing spending on human and physical…

Construction work on mega-projects in Multan begins

Commissioner, Syed Muhammad Ali Gardezi has said that construction work on the mega projects of the city has started including municipal services, physical infrastructure, highway and cultural projects…

LSM sector posts 0.9 percent growth, inflation dips to 10 percent

The large scale manufacturing (LSM) sector registered 0.9 percent growth after a thirteen month period of negative growth and inflation declined to 10 percent by September 2009, which are taken as signs…

FPCCI opposes gas hike move

Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) and the entire business community have strongly condemned the action being taken by Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) to increase…

Pakistan, Sri Lanka: KCCI to hold seminar on FTA in December

The Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) will hold a seminar on Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the first week of December this year to discuss ways to boost two…

Sports

Two-goal Farooq helps NBP squeeze past Baloch Club

The bankers opened their account in the 51st minute when Farooq slammed home. Farooq got his double in the 60th minute before the losers scored their consolation goal on a penalty kick through Habibullah…

Queen launches Commonwealth Games countdown

Queen Elizabeth II and Indian President Pratibha Patil started the countdown to the New Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games as they launched the global baton relay Thursday at Buckingham Palace.

Technology