IMF asks Pakistan to make oil payments through market flows
The International Monetary Fund estimates that Pakistan's growth will slow down to 3.5-3 percent in the current financial year after Pakistan signs for Stand-By Arrangement (SBA) facility with the Fund. In fact, the Fund is not concerned at the annual GDP growth even if it falls below three percent because the Fund fully appreciates the facts that historically Pakistan has shown that once it is able to achieve macroeconomic stability the growth of above six percent is also achieved for a long period of time more... (BR)

Tarin rules out change in foreign exchange regulations
Advisor to Prime Minister on Finance and Revenues Shaukat Tareen has said that the government will continue with the liberalised foreign exchange regulations, as any change in the regulations will further aggravate the current economic situation more... (BR)

Pakistan's foreign exchange reserves fall below $7 billion mark
Country's foreign exchange reserves have further plunged by some 401 million dollars during the last week and fell below 7 billion dollars mark aggravating the threat to the economy. State bank of Pakistan on Thursday informed that country's foreign reserves have declined to 6.9218 billion dollars during the week ended October 25, as against the 7.3233 billion dollars a week earlier, depicting a decline of 401.5 million dollars during the week more... (BR)

Turkish PM hosts talks between Gilani, Karzai
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and Afghan President Hamid Karzai discussed efforts to restore peace in the region at a meeting here on Thursday with Turkish Prime Minister more... (D)

Balochistan has first claim over its resources, says Zardari
President Asif Ali Zardari said on Thursday that the government was committed to solving the problems of Balochistan more... (D)

Govt denies wavering on 17th Amendment
Dismissing doubts of critics, the government assured the Senate on Thursday it would not waver in its aim to undo the controversial 17th Amendment to the Constitution to curtail presidential powers, as it faced a last-minute opposition assault before the house was prorogued after a seven-day session more... (D)

NBP profit after tax falls to Rs 4.814 billion
The profit after tax of National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) has declined to Rs 4.814 billion in the quarter ended September 30, 2008 as compared to Rs 5.741 billion earned in the corresponding period in 2007. The board of directors of the bank, in its meeting held on Thursday declared that the earning per share has declined to Rs 5.37 in the period under review against Rs 6.40 in the same period last year more... (BR)

PTCL profit after tax rises to Rs 3.178 billion
The profit after tax of Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) has increased to Rs 3.178 billion in the quarter ended September 30, 2008 as compared to Rs 3.012 billion earned in the corresponding period last year. The board of directors of the company in its meeting held on Thursday declared that the earning per share increased to Re 0.62 in the period under review against Re 0.59 in the same period a year back more... (BR)

SSGC earns Rs 991 million against Rs 290 million last year
The 54th annual general meeting (AGM) of Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGC) was held here on Thursday to approve the annual financial statements for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008. Salim Abbas Jilani, Chairman SSGC, presided over the meeting more... (BR)