ISLAMABAD (March 18, 2010): The Ministry of Industries and Production is understood to have been directed by Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani to review anticipated additional production, demand thoroughly, and price of fertilisers in the short and long term, official sources told Business Recorder.

ISLAMABAD (March 18, 2010): The government on Wednesday informed the National Assembly (NA) that there will be no change in the minimum guaranteed wheat support price to safeguard the interests of the common man. Responding to a call attention notice about non-fixation of wheat price, Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture Liaquat Ali Khan told the House that prices of wheat were on the high side in the international market last year due to which its price was fixed at Rs 950 per forty kilogram last year.

LAHORE (March 18, 2010): Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that besides transparent and quality completion of development projects, the policy regarding promotion of horticulture should also be implemented and maximum tree plantation should be carried out at development projects as it will add beauty to the projects.

PESHAWAR (March 18, 2010): The Ministry of Commerce has hinted at the approval of an amount of Rs 498 million for promotion of gemstone sector and acquisition of 33 kanal land for setting up new building of Gems and Gemological Institute of Pakistan (GGIP).

ISLAMABAD (March 18, 2010): The production of Zinc and Lead (Graphite) minerals for trading purpose will soon begin from Dilband area in Balochistan province. According to a private news channel quoting sources of Ministry for Minerals that the mining of the aforesaid minerals is underway on trial basis and it is hoped that the production of the minerals will be kicked off within a few months to come.

HYDERABAD (March 17, 2010): The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Banking Services Corporation (BSC) Hyderabad in collaboration with Habib Bank Limited is organising "Hari Melo" on March 19, 2010 at Shaheed Benazir Auditorium, Mirpurkhas. The Hari Melo event would be inaugurated by Provincial Minister for Agriculture Syed Ali Nawaz Shah.

ISLAMABAD (March 17, 2010): Minister for Food and Agriculture, Nazar Muhammad Gondal on Tuesday said that conserving water through the high efficiency irrigation system is the only solution to overcome the water shortage in the country.

LAHORE (March 17, 2010): The Indus River System Authority reduced water outflows downstream the Tarbela dam on river Indus by 10,000 cusecs on Tuesday as the country's biggest reservoir was completely emptied on Monday night and has asked the provinces to adjust their water needs accordingly.

BAHAWALPUR (March 17, 2010): As many as 62 tractors will be given to the farmers of Cholistan through a draw, learnt newsmen here on Tuesday. According to official sources, as many as 2,088 farmers had submitted applications for tractors, out of which 1,986 were short-listed for the draw. The draw will be held on March 22.

KARACHI (March 17, 2010): Following the directive of Economic Co-ordination Committee (ECC), the Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) on Tuesday issued first tender for 125,000 tons urea import on short notice to meet shortage in Kharif season.