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Karachi Stock Exchange Flying High

KSE

KARACHI: Stocks prices at Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) witnessed a significant gain on Monday with the benchmark KSE-100 Index advancing by 212 points to finish the day at 7,015. The Index was seen at over 7,000 level for the first time since December 22, 2008.
The President’s announcement regarding lifting of the Governor Rule in his address to the joint session of Parliament further restored the confidence of the investors who looked particularly interested in taking positions in energy and banking stocks.
Market turnover surged to 330 million shares. Pak PTA recorded maximum activity which gained paisas 26 to Rs3.6. Market experts say the major Index could cross the psychological barrier of 7,500 level in the coming sessions.

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Terrorist Attack On Manawan Police Center Lahore

Lahore-attack

LAHORE: The siege at the Manawan Police Center in Lahore has ended, bringing a halt to eight-hour long operation Security forces have arrested four terrorists before regaining control of the besieged Police Center. Four terrorists were also killed in the operation.
According to sources, eight policemen were martyred, while 95 others were injured in the deadly attack.
The attack came at a time when the trainee policemen were doing parade at a Police Center situated near Manawan Village on GT Road today morning.
The attackers first lobbed hand grenades into the training ground from the outside wall, which spread smoke all over the place. Later, they broke into the building and opened fire on unarmed policemen before taking positions.
The Pak army, rangers, Elite forces and policemen, after receiving the information about the attack, reached the scene and launched operation against the armed attackers.
Meanwhile, after eight-hour long operation, security forces regained control of the Police Center, while two terrorists present inside the building blew themselves up to avoid arrests.
Security forces arrested a suspect from a helipad near training school and seized two grenades from his possession. He was shifted to some undisclosed location for interrogation.
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Obama’s Pakistan Afghanistan Strategy

Obama’s speed about his strategy in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Thar Desert Marathon Jeep Rally Kicked Off

Thar Desert Marathon

KARACHI (Pakistan) : The Thar Desert Marathon Jeep rally has kicked off t in Mithi, a beautiful and remote area of Thar Desert. District government Tharparker has organized the rally which is named “Thar Desert Marathon 2009”. The drivers from all over the country have reached Thar to participate in the rally.
The track of the rally comprised of 106-kilometer distance. The drivers claimed that they will meet the distance within 60 to 90 minutes. The winner of the rally will be awarded Rs.300,000.

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IT Industry In Pakistan – 50% Per Annum Growth

IT Industry in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s global IT revenue, with an average growth of around 50% per annum, is expected to realise targets by the end of financial year 2009-10. Country’s IT sector, over the last few years, has been growing at a remarkable rate and to meet the future objective, Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) is focusing on the growth of skilled human resource.
Keeping in view its prime objective – the development of future workforce, the Board has devised an open-door policy for the provision of financial subsidies, technical support and partnerships, not only for the IT companies, but also for the educational institutions.
In this respect, PSEB is working with the Higher Education Commission (HEC) to augment the influx of quality graduates into the industry, said an official at the Board.
It had launched an Internship Programme to undertake match making between fresh IT graduates and IT companies and to provide grooming to graduates where necessary.
This programme is also aimed towards the development of confidence amongst the Pakistani IT business managers regarding the output of IT-oriented educational institutes.
So far, more than 3300 graduates from 220 universities and institutes across the country have been placed in 250 IT companies and IT departments of public and private sector organisations for a period of three months.
The retention rate by the IT companies has been more than 80%, another 10-50% received job offers from other organisations because of their internship experience. This permanent retention rate is the highest of any Internship Programme in the country.
In Internships Phase-III, interns are being paid a revised stipend of Rs6,000 per month, for a period of 3 months.
Over 1,600 students will benefit from this revised programme in the next one year. A web portal will also be established to further streamline the process.
According to the official, PSEB is also facilitating the graduates as well as the IT companies by acting as a liaison point for the provision of quality graduates that match the companies requirements.
It also provides ongoing trainings and industry-standard certifications to professionals, and undertakes research to benchmark IT professionals and graduates in the country.
The official said in order to sustain and improve growth, IT companies in Pakistan need around 235,000 working professionals by the end of year 2009-10. Currently, that number is a little above 100,000 and approximately 135,000 more professionals are needed in the next two years. – APP

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