In Tuesday's South Asia papers

20 May 2008 04:30  [Source: ICIS news]

Army losing charm, colonels shun elite course
For the first time, more than 10 colonels have refused to join the prestigious "higher command course" (HCC) and "higher defence management course" (HDMC) run by the Army for its topmost officers in the reckoning for higher ranks like brigadier and major general.

Bangladesh gets tough on terror, enacts new law
Bangladesh on Monday enacted a tough anti-terror ordinance that may not provide any respite to India, which is battling HuJI terrorists from Bangladesh, but it gives the country new teeth to fight extremism within.

'Cancer drug market to touch $48b in 2008'
The global oncology market (anti-cancer drugs)--growing the fastest among all therapies, is expected to touch $48bn this year, fuelled by higher drug spending in emerging economies including India.

Soaring crude: Airlines plan 3-tier fuel surcharge
Soaring oil price and falling growth levels are now forcing domestic airlines to think in terms of a three-tier fuel surcharge. In April, they had introduced a two-level fuel surcharge--a lower one for below 750 km and higher for beyond--to prevent losing short haul travellers to trains and buses.

Equities seen flat amid mixed global cues
Equities are seen opening flat-to-negative on Tuesday amid quiet global cues. Crude oil's record high spike to the $127 mark will weigh on sentiment. Stock specific action is likely with a slew of corporate results from the likes of Suzlon Energy, Bharat Forge, GMR Infrastructure and Tata Teleservices Maharashtra.

DoT-Trai faceoff may delay number portability again
The much-awaited Mobile Number Portability (MNP) may be delayed further as the Department of Telecom (DoT) and telecom regulator TRAI differ over the means and methodology for ushering in the regime. Mobile portability will allow users to change their operator while retaining the mobile number.

Uncertainty over major parties? participation in polls
The clouds of uncertainty over the participation of Awami League and BNP in the next national elections will be dissipated in July when the verdict is likely to be pronounced in the corruption cases against Sheikh Hasina and Begum Khaleda Zia.

Nizami sent to jail, crackdown launched to net MK Anwar
Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Matiur Rahman Nizami, arrested on Sunday night, was sent to Dhaka Central Jail after he was produced before the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court in connection with GATCO graft suit.

Privatise SoEs with caution: Finance Adviser
Finance Adviser Dr Mirza Azizul Islam Monday said privatisation needs to be carried out with caution and in a well-thought out manner so that employment is not affected in any away and no room is left for monopoly.

Iraq biggest ever emerging market
Iraq's deputy prime minister said on Monday that his country was the world's largest ever emerging market, with foreign companies lining up to invest in the war-ravaged economy.

Raging battles in north, heavy casualties
Heavy clashes which erupted between government troops and the LTTE in Mannar on Sunday, left several dead on both sides. The figures however could not be independently verified.

UNPers seek Court order to dissolve CMC
UNP candidates who contested the Colombo Municipal Council under the ‘spectacle’ symbol at the 2006 municipal poll are seeking a writ application from Supreme Court to stop the functioning of Colombo Municipal Council which they say is functioning illegally.

(no news updates)

PPP for drastic constitutional amendment
The Pakistan People’s Party has almost completed a draft of the 18th Constitution Amendment Bill, aimed at carving the way for reinstating the deposed judges and balancing the powers between the president and the prime minister.

No pressure over reinstatement: PM
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said there is no pressure on his government against reinstating the deposed judges and they will be restored as soon as the modalities are worked out.

Oil price flirts with new high
The price of crude oil came close to reaching a new record high on Monday as the market shrugged off higher output from Saudi Arabia, traders said.

Credit flow to farm sector rises by 35%
Credit flows to agriculture witnessed a tremendous rise of 35% during in the first 10 months (July-April) of the current fiscal year, but the sector is yet to improve its performance.

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Constitutional package finalised: Naek
The constitutional package for reinstatement of deposed judges of superior judiciary has been finalised and would be presented in next session of the National Assembly, Minister for Law and Justice Farooq H Naek said on Monday.

Three Killed in Bajaur Blast: officials
A bomb exploded outside a mosque in Bajaur area bordering Afghanistan on Monday, killing at least three people, officials said. The device blew up at the gate of the mosque in Dabar, a village in the Bajaur tribal district, as worshippers gathered for evening prayers, a local administration official told AFP.

Government wants EAC input into 2008-09 budget
Finance Minister Naveed Qamar on Monday said that the government wanted to include maximum inputs of the Economic Advisory Council (EAC) in the upcoming budget to reduce poverty, generate employment and develop agriculture sector to improve macroeconomic indicators.

Patterson briefed about pre-budget deliberations
US Ambassador, Ms Anne W Patterson called on Minister for Finance, Syed Naveed Qamar here on Monday. The Ambassador congratulated the minister on assuming new and additional portfolio as Finance Minister, stating that the Finance Minister's crucial assignment concerning country's fiscal policies' formulation.

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