Clinton fetes Pak-Afghan trade deal
ISLAMABAD: ISLAMABAD: The meeting between Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton got underway here, Geo News reported Monday.
Addressing a press briefing at Foreign Office here along with her Pak counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi, the US Secretary of State Clinton appreciated the trade agreement entered yesterday between Pakistan and India.
She said the Pak-Afghan trade deal is highly important, as it would prove beneficial to both the nations.
She also condemned the bombings at Data Darbar that cost several precious lives and expressed solidarity with the deceased and the injured in the blast.
She said it is her sixth visit to the country, adding President Obama is expected to visit the region by the end of the current year.
Commentingon the dialogues between her country and Pakistan, she said they are highly important for the two countries and armed at taking stock os the affairs, adding both the countries have a common enemy.
She stressed on further extending the ties between the two contries and vowed to help the democratic government of Pakistan.
On the occasion, she also announced various steps of cooperation in health sector.
Earlier addressing the briefing, Qureshi said the recent dialogues between the US and Pakistan would herald new era of lasting ties between the two nations; hence, Pakistan pins a lot of hopes on these negotiations.
The Pak-US dialogues are in the interest of the entire region, he said adding the Pakistan’s successes are highly vital for the region.
Asia Stocks Mixed As China Tightening Fears Linger
HONG KONG: Asian stock markets were mixed Friday as investors held out for additional clues to the strength of economic recovery.
Most markets were little changed, a recent pattern that analysts say reflects uncertainty surrounding the U.S. rebound, China’s policies and debt troubles in Europe.
Many investors are awaiting further insight into the state of the U.S. economy. Reports due out Friday on retail sales and consumer sentiment could shed light on the current spending appetites of Americans at a time of high unemployment.
The sideways trade comes after global markets were mostly higher the day before, with gains limited amid wariness after China may start raising interest rates to keep a lid on mounting inflationary pressures. The source of concerns was a report showing inflation in the fast-growing economy jumped last month.
In Japan, Nikkei 225 stock average was up 87.05 points, or 0.8 percent, to 10,752.00.
Elsewhere, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng was off 0.1 percent at 21,211.36 and South Korea’s benchmark was flat at 1,656.74.
Shanghai’s market was also little changed, while Australia inched up 0.1 percent and India rose 0.3 percent.
Oil prices drifted higher as investors mulled whether extending a monthlong rally is justified amid evidence of weak U.S. crude demand. Benchmark crude for April delivery added 8 cents to $82.19 after rising 2 cents overnight.
In currencies, the dollar rose to 90.62 yen from 90.50 yen. The euro was stronger at $1.3694 compare $1.3678.
In the U.S. Friday, the Dow Jones industrial average rose 44.51, or 0.4 percent, to 10,611.84.
The S&P 500 index advanced 4.63, or 0.4 percent, to 1,150.24, above its Jan. 19 close of 1,150.23. The index now stands at its highest level since Oct. 1, 2008.
