News
Archive
15pc GST on seeds and other agri
products
ISLAMABAD- The government is likely to levy 15 per cent
general sales tax (GST) on electricity, edible oils and all
kinds of seeds.
Detail
Cotton market
remains steady
KARACHI- Steadier
conditions prevailed on the cotton market on Friday as ginners
were not inclined to lower their asking prices amid
predictions of revival of foreign demand.
Detail
Plan to extract sugar from beet criticised
KARACHI-Pakistan Sugar Mills
Association (PSMA) has criticised the government for its
proposed plan switching over indigenous sugar industry from
cane to beet. In a press statement, a PSMA (Punjab Zone)
spokesman said that every one knew that climate of Punjab and
Sindh was not suitable for sugarbeet cultivation. This meant
bureaucracy was trying to waste public money for nothing, he
added.
Detail
New models of Millat Tractors
launched
LAHORE–Millat Tractors Ltd has launched two models of tractors
and a forklift truck here on Thursday at a local hotel. Among
others, Punjab Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Khurshid
Zaman Qureshi and Chief Executive Millat Tractors were present
on the occasion. It was told in the function that new models
of tractors was highly fuel efficient and designed to meet the
farmers’ need and local climatic conditions.
The company also introduced three-ton forklift truck. This
forklift has been manufactured with the help of UK and Chinese
technology.
Courtesy Nation March
29, 2002
Punjab body wants
1991 Accord abolished
ISLAMABAD - Accusing the
government of taking a series of anti-Punjab decisions, the
Punjab Water Council (PWC) on Thursday demanded abolition of
1991 water apportionment accord.
Detail
Dull trading
on cotton market
KARACHI-Cheerless
trading conditions prevailed on the cotton market on Thursday
as both buyers and sellers kept to the sidelines most of the
time awaiting apparently some fresh positive developments on
the export front.
Detail
Onion, tomato prices shoot up
KARACHI-Prices of onion and tomato
have gone up by 40 per cent and 50 per cent in the last few
days as compared to prices prevailing in the first two weeks
of the current month.
Water losses to be overcome: Musharraf
ISLAMABAD-President Gen Pervez
Musharraf Thursday said the government would ensure equitable
distribution of water among the provinces and improve the
existing irrigation system on modern lines to overcome water
losses.
Detail
Pak seafood export declines by 12pc
KARACHI-Country's seafood export
has suffered a decline of 12 per cent in the first eight
months of current fiscal year mainly because of the fallout of
9-11 incidents, the exporters say. Official figures put the
July-February 2002 seafood export at US $88 million compared
to US $100 million last year. Exporters and concerned
fisheries officials hold 9-11 incidents responsible for the
decline.
Detail
World wheat situation and outlook
World wheat trade in 2001/02 is
forecast to be 107.8 million tons, up 4.4 million tons from
2000/01. Global production is forecast down 4.2 million tons
and is expected to remain below consumption for the third
consecutive year. Global stocks are forecast down 9.9 million
tons from last year to the lowest level since 1996/97.
Detail
Kharif shortages to be shared
on pro-rata basis
ISLAMABAD – The Indus River System Authority (IRSA) on
Wednesday projected up to 54 per cent maximum water shortage
for early Kharif which the provinces would have to face on
pro-rata basis as the apex body on water distribution decided
the Mangla Dam conservation level at 1212 feet.
Detail
Price war continues on cotton market
KARACHI-Cotton market
on Wednesday consolidated previous gains but ready business
fell to a low ebb as ginners and spinners remained locked in a
price war.
Detail
Mangla filling begins in April:
Water shortage to persist
ISLAMABAD-Projecting a water shortage between 33 per cent and
54 per cent during early Kharif, the Indus River System
Authority on Wednesday agreed to start filling Mangla Dam from
early next month and meet "reasonable (water) requirement" of
Sindh.
Detail
Prices steady on cotton market
KARACHI- Amid slow
trading raw cotton prices remained steady in the local market
when trading resumed on Tuesday after a long closure on
account of Pakistan Day and Ashura.
Detail
Wheat export to Egypt being
streamlined
KARACHI- An official delegation would leave for Cairo soon to
hold talks with the Egyptian official for the removal of
quarantine conditions on wheat import from Pakistan, official
sources said Tuesday.
Detail
TCP urged to buy surplus sugar
KARACHI- Pakistan Sugar
Mills Association (PSMA) has urged the TCP to purchase 0.2 to
0.3 million tons sugar out of the expected surplus of 0.621
million tons.Detail
Punjab likely to produce 14.5m ton
wheat
LAHORE–The Punjab province is likely to produce 14.5 million
ton wheat this season (2001-2002), achieving the target of
14.2 million ton despite acute drought conditions.
According to an official estimate, the production, however, is
estimated to remain below this year as compared to the 15.4
million ton crop size of previous season (2000-2001).
Detail
Sindh, Punjab again at loggerheads
over Mangla water
ISLAMABAD-Sindh and Punjab have
again developed differences over the existing low quantity of
water in Mangla Dam required for Rabi 2002-2003 crops from
first April.
Detail
Rain brightens prospects of Rabi
crops
ISLAMABAD-The recent rains have
ended the prevalent dry spell and brightened the prospects of
the rabi crops, particularly wheat. Though the rains were
late, but it would create a positive impact on the germination
of grains.
Detail
Cut-flowers: marketing prospects
Flowers are useful in many ways.
Their cultivation in Pakistan is increasing day-by-day, due to
the growing demand of fresh flowers for garlands, bouquets,
wreaths.
Detail
Soomro for new
tech to revamp agri, irri systems
KARACHI –Sindh Governor
Muhammedmian Soomro has underlined the need for renovation of
irrigation and agriculture systems by utilising latest
technology and all available means.
Detail
Tea import duty cut to
15pc demanded:
Smuggling on rise
KARACHI- Leading tea
packers and importers forecast that the smuggling of tea by
the end of fiscal 2001-02 will range between 35,000 to 40,000
tons as compared to 25,000 to 30,000 tons in 2000-01.
Detail
TCP confident of resolving wheat issue
with Iraq
KARACHI-The state-run commodity
trader, Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) is making
arrangements for the re-shipment of the wheat consignment to
Iraq, which Bagdad had earlier refused to accept on grounds of
contamination.
Detail
Trading improves on cotton market
KARACHI-
Physical activity on the cotton market on Tuesday maintained
on the higher side as spinners were not inclined to have a
look at their inventories in the backdrop of some positive
developments on the export front.
Detail
Rice board as separate entity planned
ISLAMABAD- Federal Minister for Commerce, Abdul Razak Dawood on Tuesday said that to capture the international
rice market and ensure greater rice production, a proposal is
under active consideration to establish "Pakistan Rice Board"
as a separate entity , which will be run by private and public
sector.
Detail
Molasses export earns $30m
KARACHI- Around 600,000
tons of molasses export during current sugarcane crushing
season has fetched around $30 million at an average price of
$50 per ton, exporters said.
Detail
45pc water shortage for next Kharif season anticipated
ISLAMABAD-The next Kharif crop in the country might be
hampered because of an anticipated 45 per cent shortage of
irrigation water during the Kharif season, coupled with
persistent El-Nino phenomenon, resulting in low monsoon
rainfall.
Detail
Oil
prices take breather after recent gains
LONDON- The price of oil was steady here in early trading
Thursday as traders paused for breath after a topsy-turvy
session the previous day that saw prices run up to six-month
highs only to fall back to earth again.
Detail
Cotton market remains dull
KARACHI-The cotton market passed through another dull session
on Thursday as buyers remained off the rings in view of
oncoming Muharram holidays.
Detail
Agri sector shows good performance
ISLAMABAD-Federal Minister for Food and Agriculture Khair
Muhammad Junejo on Thursday said that cotton crop registered a
production of 10.06 million bales surpassing its targets while
wheat production during the current season is projected at
19.2 million tones.
Detail
European Commission to provide Rs.
1.2 billion for Livestock development
ISLAMABAD-The European Commission will provide
a grant of Rs. 1.2 billion for carrying out an ambitious
project to develop potential of Livestock sector.
Detail
Water to Sindh in best interest of country
LAHORE—Federal Member
Indus River System Authority (Irsa) Ansar Rajput on Friday
visited Punjab Irrigation Department offices and inquired
about the implementation of Governor Punjab directive to
supply water to Sindh from Punjab’s share.
Detail
All
canals closed as Punjab gives its water to Sindh
LAHORE–As a goodwill
gesture, Governor Punjab Lt Gen (Retd) Khalid Maqbool on the
direction of President of Pakistan has instructed to close all
canals of Punjab after March 15 with a view to giving water to
Sindh from Punjab’s share.
Detail
Water crisis: famine feared in Sindh
SANGHAR,-A famine-like situation looms large over Sindh due to the persisting drought and acute shortage of
irrigation water. The canals are dry and at some places even
drinking water is not available.
Detail
'Canal closure to hit south Punjab'
MULTAN-The
government decision of closing canals in the Punjab to provide
water to Sindh will ruin the standing crop in southern Punjab.
This was stated by Pakistan Seraiki Party (PSP) chief
barrister Taj Muhammad Langah at a meeting here on Friday.
Detail
Fish business
suffers as protest continues
KARACHI-There has been no normal fishing activity at the Karachi Fish Harbour as the protest against the shooting death of a
fisherman in Mekran entered the second week.
Detail
Punjab to share agricultural knowledge with other provinces
LAHORE-The
Punjab will share agricultural knowledge with other provinces
by developing three model villages in Sindh and one in
Balochistan, Governor Khalid Maqbool said on Monday.
Detail
No
water for Sindh from Tarbela dead level
ISLAMABAD, March 11: Endorsing recommendations of Irsa and
WAPDA, the Chief Executive Secretariat has rejected Sindh's
demand of water supply from Tarbela reservoir, where water has
dropped to dead-level.
Detail
Jinnah,
Taunsa barrages need urgent repairs
LAHORE, March 15: The
Jinnah and Taunsa barrages in the Punjab have developed
serious problems and require repairs costing an estimated Rs34
billion on priority basis.
Detail
Tarbela
canals closed
LAHORE, March 11: The Irrigation and Power Department on
Monday closed down some of the Punjab canals and reduced
supplies to others in view of the depletion of Tarbela
storage. Detail
Cut in wheat output
target likely
ISLAMABAD: The federal government is set to refix wheat target
in the wake of acute water shortage in the country and also to
streamline the strategy for its procurement in the coming
harvest. Detail
Water
reservoir at Kotri Barrage depletes
KOTRI-Water reservoir height at Kotri Barrage at the River
Indus is depleting day by day posing a danger of creating a
potable water crisis in supply lines to Karachi as well.
Detail
Veterinary College to become first university
LAHORE-The Punjab government has decided in principal to grant
College of Veterinary Sciences Lahore the status of animal
sciences university.
Detail
Use
of Laser land leveller can raise production upto 80%
ISLAMABAD-Use of Laser Land Leveler can ensure boosting of
crop production by as much as 80% through efficient
utilization of water.
Detail
Punjab to set up Citrus Research Institute in Sargodha
LAHORE- Punjab government has allocated an amount of Rs 3.7
million for the establishment of Citrus Research Institute in
Sargodha to help develop new varieties of citrus fruit
especially the world-renowned Kinnoo.
Detail
Project launched for seedless Kinnow
FAISALABAD-The Punjab government has launched a multipurpose
agriculture project to produce high yielding and disease
resistant citrus fruit in the province.
Detail
Japan
cooperation
in agriculture sector discussed
ISLAMABAD-Japan would assist Pakistan in setting up of food
processing centre, up-gradation of public facilities,
training, research and testing functions of Marine Fishery
Department and Karachi Fish Harbour.
Detail
Dhabeji: Wheat crop could not be
cultivated
DHABEJI-Lakhs of acres of fertile land has been rendered
barren, crops and banana garden have withered away because of
acute shortage of water in the Indus river.
Detail
Tarbela water at
dead level
LAHORE—Water level at Tarbela Dam, the largest reservoir of
the country, will touch dead level between March 5-6, further
aggravating the prevalent paucity of water which has already
hit hard the agriculture sector.
Detail
Rice
export down by 23pc
KARACHI- Country's rice export has declined by 23 per cent or
$52.86 million to $233.24 million during the first eight
months of the current fiscal year 2001-2002. Detail
Mode of wheat purchase announced
KARACHI-The Government of Sindh
has announced the mode for the purchase of wheat crop-2002,
whereby, the procurement target has been fixed at 0.3 million
tonnes. Detail
Directive to complete
agri zone demarcation
KARACHI: The Provincial
Agriculture Minister, Hasan Ali Chaniho, has directed the
agriculture department to complete the demarcation work of the
proposed Agriculture Export Processing Zone by March 15 and
determine the standards for trade registration in the zone and
ownership rights.
Detail
POL prices raised by 0.29-2.9pc
KARACHI-The Oil
Companies Advisory Committee (OCAC) on Thursday increased the
prices of petrol, diesel, light diesel oil (LDO), high octane
blending component (HOBC), JP-4 and JP-1 by 0.29 to 2.29 per
cent. Detail
Prices of vegetables, pulses and sugar surge
KARACHI-Consumers came
under increasing pressures during February as prices of
essential kitchen items - pulses, vegetables, sugar and some
rice varieties - went up.
Detail
Cotton market lacks lustre
KARACHI- Cotton market
on Friday passed through a relatively dull session as both the
buyers and the sellers awaited some positive news from the
Islamabad meeting and did not indulge in fresh trading.
Detail
TCP accepts bid for 5,000 lint bales
KARACHI-The Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) has accepted
export contract for 5,000 bales of cotton from the highest
bidder who offered 33.06 cents per lb, TCP sources said.
Detail
Water position to improve by
mid-March: Irsa
ISLAMABAD: Water position at Tarbela, the largest water
reservoir of the country, would improve by the third week of
March, said Chairman Indus River System Authority (Irsa) Mian
Hafizullah on Thursday. Hafizullah made it very clear that no
water release would be made from the dead level of Tarbela
which was 1,369 feet.
Detail
Gulf
states lift ban on Pakistani livestock import
ISLAMABAD-The export of Livestock products managed to retain
its growth with relaxation of restrictions imposed by the Gulf
states last year due to growing fear of sparking animal
disease called Rinderpest.
Detail
Libya to
buy wheat, rice from Pakistan
KARACHI: Libya is interested in buying 200,000 tonnes of wheat
and 50,000 tonnes of rice from Pakistan, said Chairman Export
Promotion Bureau (EPB), Tariq Ikram here on Wednesday.
Detail
Weak
palm oil prices discourage imports
KARACHI: Pakistan's palm oil market saw thin demand and lower
prices over the past week and dealers said on Tuesday that no
improvement was likely until international prices had firmed
up. "The market is weak on low demand and buyers are cautious
on weak international prices," said Saulat Khan, a palm oil
importer in the southern port city of Karachi. "The prices
will only improve when China enters into the market."
Detail
Philippines, BD to import 0.3m tons rice
ISLAMABAD, Feb 27:
Philippines has decided to import 250,000 tons of rice from
Pakistan while Bangladesh will be importing 50,000 tons of
rice very soon.
Detail
