ISLAMABAD (November 19, 2008): Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Tuesday said that the findings of the report on economic stabilisation will help policymakers in formulating indigenous action plan, giving them a clear roadmap for negotiations with the donors. Addressing the panel of economists, headed by Dr Hafiz Pasha, who presented the interim report on economic stabilisation.

ISLAMABAD (November 19, 2008): The parliamentarians on Tuesday forewarned the government that any move to tax agriculture will be resisted tooth and nail while bluntly describing it as tantamount to making the country hostage to the global market.

KARACHI (November 19, 2008): Pakistan is believed to have requested the Friends of Pakistan for as much as $55billion investment in a host of projects in various sectors. According to Dubai-based Khaleej Times, Pakistan has sought funding for projects worth about $55 billion in sectors such as infrastructure, energy, agriculture and services from the members of Friends of Pakistan Group at a meeting held in Abu Dhabi on Monday.

ISLAMABAD (November 19, 2008): Pakistan will miss its inflation target of 12 percent, achieving around 20 percent annualised CPI inflation by fiscal year 2008-09 end and would be fortunate if it attains 4 percent GDP growth against its target of 5.5 percent in this global economic meltdown, said Finance Advisor in an interview with Aaj TV/Business Recorder.

ISLAMABAD (November 19, 2008): Over 50 percent of foreign investors have expressed concern over imposition of tax on 'provident fund', which has had negative implications on the business of foreigners operating in Pakistan. In the 2008-09 budget, the government has capped the exemption of contribution made by the employers on account of provident fund contribution through amendment in the income tax rules-2002.

ISLAMABAD (November 19, 2008): The National Assembly on Tuesday admitted a bill designed to amend the Fiscal Responsibility and Debt Limitation Act 2005 to restrict the government borrowing from the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to 4 percent of the total GDP for meeting budgetary deficit.

KARACHI (November 19, 2008): The mechanics of Rs 50 billion market bailout package are close to be finalised, it is learnt. The National Investment Trust (NIT) will act as the operating manager of the Rs 20 billion Stock Market Stabilisation Fund while the government would provide Rs 30 billion guarantee for put options.

KARACHI (November 19, 2008): Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) has recently revised closing prices formula. According to KSE, the closing prices are no more ascertained on the basis of last tick, and are determined on the basis of last 30-minute average.

ISLAMABAD (November 19, 2008): Pakistan Electric Power Company (Pepco) has withdrawn electricity disconnection notices to the industrial units especially in Lahore and Faisalabad after Finance Minister Hina Rabbani Khar took serious note of such action, well-informed sources in Islamabad Electric Supply Company (Iesco) told Business Recorder on Tuesday.

KARACHI (November 19, 2008): Telenor Pakistan is going to acquire Tameer Microfinance Bank Limited-country's largest microfinance bank with an investment of Rs one billion to encourage the microfinance business in the country, it is reliably learnt on Tuesday. Sources said that talks between Telenor and Tameer Microfinance Bank Limited (TMBL) has been almost completed and formal announcement of Temeer Bank's acquisition by the Telenor would be made on Friday.