Rs 898.64 billion taxes collected in July-April
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has collected Rs 898.64 billion as taxes during 10 months of the current fiscal, against Rs 763.592 billion in the same period of last year, reflecting an increase of 17.7 percent. According to provisional figures released here on Tuesday, the FBR collected Rs 83.53 billion during April 2009 against Rs 83.66 billion in the same month of last year, showing a decrease of 0.2 percent more... (BR)

Health, microfinance sectors: IDB to provide $100 million
The Islamic Development Bank (IDB) has agreed to provide $100 million to achieve the targets of Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (SRSP-II) set for health and microfinance sectors. Sources said that recently agreed assistance is in addition to the earlier proposed three-year rolling financing plan worth $577 million for the year 2010-12 more... (BR)

'Efforts underway to attract foreign investment'
Federal Minister for States and Frontier Region (Safron) Najmuddin Khan has said that present government is trying to bring more foreign investment in the country and planning to offer legislative cover to protect investor. While talking to the Deputy High Commissioner of South Africa Qasim Pir in his office here on Tuesday, the minister said that government is committed to enhancing co-operation and harmony between local and foreign investors more... (BR)

Holbrooke vows US support for Zardari
The United States vowed unambiguous backing Tuesday for President Asif Ali Zardari despite mounting disquiet in Congress ahead of White House talks also involving Afghanistan. Wednesday's summit gathering of US President Barack Obama, Zardari and Afghan President Hamid Karzai was "historically important," US special envoy Richard Holbrooke told restive lawmakers more... (BR)

President Zardari wants peace with India
‘I'm waiting for the Indian elections to be over so all this rhetoric is over and I can start a fresh dialogue.' more... (D)

No blank checks for Pakistan: White House
‘The president has said on numerous occasions there shouldn't be and there won't be blank checks.’ more... (D)

Nine percent decline in cement exports in one month
Pakistan's cement industry, which pocketed windfall profits in previous years, is claiming that its exports declined by 9 percent in April as compared to March 2009. The All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA) is already in hot pursuit of fiscal incentives in the 2009-10 federal budget with the argument that it would collapse if the government did not extend a rescue package to it more... (BR)

SECP revives consultative group on capital markets
The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has revived the Consultative Group on Capital Markets to suggest measures for growth and development of capital markets. The group, under the chairmanship of Aftab Ahmed Diwan, Chief Operating Officer, Central Depository Company of Pakistan Limited, has representatives from Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE), National Clearing Company of Pakistan Limited (NCCPL), banks, mutual funds, SECP and other capital market experts more... (BR)

KESC suffers Rs10.6 billion losses
The KESC reported a pre-tax loss of Rs10.604 billion during the last three months ending on March 31 as compared to Rs9.905bn in the corresponding period last year, according to KESC’s 3rd quarterly accounts more... (D)