Rehabilitation of IDPs: donors pledge $224 million for immediate relief
Donors have pledged $224 million for immediate relief and rehabilitation of the Internally Displaced Peoples (IDPs) of Swat whereas preliminary estimates suggest Pakistan would need over $1 billion for their resettlement more... (BR)

POL products prices reduced by 2.5 percent
Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Thursday approved 2.5 percent reduction in three major petroleum products including petrol, high speed diesel (HSD) and HOBC following the directions of Supreme Court. The price of petrol (motor gasoline) has been reduced by Rs 1.45 to Rs 56.21 per litre, the price of HOCB by Rs 1.80 to Rs 70.28 per litre and high speed diesel (HSD) has been reduced by Rs 1.47 to Rs 55.67 per litre more... (BR)

International bids invited for Bhasha dam project
International bids have been invited for the building of Bhasha dam project with incentive clause for early completion and three Chinese companies are among the bidders. This was stated in a meeting, held at presidency with President Asif Ali Zardari in the chair. The meeting was held as a follow up action on Pak-China collaborative projects more... (BR)

Taliban agree to leave parts of Lower Dir
Militants have given assurance to a jirga that they will wind up their camps and pull out of the areas within two days more... (D)

Mullen against move to link Pak aid with conditions
The Admiral is concerned is that ‘conditioning all the money’ meant for Pakistan can be counter-productive more... (D)

Chinese ambassador meets Zardari
The Chinese ambassador in Pakistan Luo Zhaohui Thursday had a luncheon meeting with President Asif Ali Zardari in the Presidency. The President said that he would visit China more frequently to strengthen strategic co-operation between the two brotherly countries. They exchanged views to further strengthen the multi-faceted, time-tested and strategic ties between Pakistan and China more... (BR)

Furnace oil supply to power producers:
government to devise plan for clearance of PSO dues
The government has reportedly decided to devise a strategy to freeze circular debt for the smooth supply of furnace oil to power producers as Pakistan's largest oil marketing company, Pakistan State Oil (PSO) fears default on letter of credit (LC) to import oil due to non payment of dues by power producers more... (BR)

NPLs surge by Rs 35 billion during first quarter
Non Performing Loans (NPLs) of banking system have posted a noticeable increase of Rs 35 billion during the first quarter of the current calendar year mainly due to the high interest rate and slow economic activities. The central bank statistics revealed that overall NPLs including banks and DFIs have surged by Rs 34.908 billion or 8 percent to Rs 391.936 billion in the first quarter of current calendar ended on March 31, 2009 from Rs 357.028 billion as on December 31, 2008 more... (BR)

Amnesty scheme: SECP for strict action against non-compliant companies
The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has decided to take strict legal action against the non-compliant companies and defaulters, who would be failed to avail the benefits of "Companies Regularisation Scheme" by June 30, 2009 more... (BR)