Tag: Economic Updates

  • Pakistan on verge of finalising $7 billion IMF loan deal, FinMin updates on progress

    Pakistan on verge of finalising $7 billion IMF loan deal, FinMin updates on progress

    Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, announced on Tuesday that the government is nearing the finalisation of external financing assurances, a crucial step toward securing the $7 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

    Speaking at a briefing, Aurangzeb expressed confidence that the IMF’s Executive Board would approve the programme soon, acknowledging the support from provincial governments.

    Aurangzeb reiterated Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s assertion that this would be Pakistan’s last programme with the IMF, underlining the necessity of implementing structural reforms to ensure long-term economic stability.

    In July, Pakistan and the IMF reached a staff-level agreement on a 37-month Extended Fund Facility (EFF) worth around $7 billion. However, the programme’s approval by the IMF’s Executive Board is contingent on Pakistan securing financing assurances from its development partners, a process that is still ongoing.

    Pakistan is actively working to secure a rollover of $12 billion in loans from key allies, including China, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. Additionally, the country has requested an extra $1.2 billion loan from Saudi Arabia to address a $2 billion financing gap.

    Aurangzeb highlighted improvements in economic indicators, noting that the government has cleared all pending payments, including import letters of credit and profit remittances.

    He pointed out that inflation has decreased to 9.6 per cent in August 2024 from 23.7 per cent in the same period last year, leading to a gradual reduction in the policy rate, which is providing relief to the industrial sector.

    The Minister also cited improvements in Pakistan’s credit ratings by agencies like Fitch and Moody’s as evidence of the economy’s positive trajectory.

    On tax collection, Aurangzeb emphasised the government’s determination to increase revenue, noting that a significant portion of the economy contributes minimally to the tax base. He stressed the need for broader tax compliance and assured that the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has simplified the tax filing process.

    Despite a shortfall of Rs 98 billion in tax collection during the first two months of the fiscal year, he reaffirmed the government’s commitment to not delay necessary processes.

    Aurangzeb also addressed rightsizing the federal government and introduced plans for a new subsidy mechanism aimed at enhancing transparency.

    He reassured stakeholders that any decisions regarding the Utility Stores Corporation (USC) would be made with employee and stakeholder interests in mind, emphasising the government’s commitment to protecting jobs and well-being.

  • Petrol and diesel prices predicted to rise in February

    Petrol and diesel prices predicted to rise in February

    In response to the recent surge in global oil prices, the government is anticipated to raise petrol and diesel prices by Rs11 and Rs6 per litre, respectively, for the first half of February. 

    The significant 11 per cent and 25 per cent increases in the premium on petrol and diesel contribute to the upward adjustment. 

    Recent pricing estimates until January 26 reveal a 5 per cent rise in finished petroleum prices to $87.7 per barrel and a 1 per cent gain in finished diesel prices to $97.4 per barrel.

    Despite a slight appreciation of the local currency, which stands at a weighted average rate of around PKR 279.87 per USD since the last pricing decision, it remains insufficient to counterbalance the substantial international price hikes. 

    It’s crucial to note that there are three more sessions before the next pricing update, and final prices will be contingent on global market movements and exchange rate fluctuations.

    The government is set to unveil the revised prices at midnight on January 31, 2024, and these adjustments will be effective for the first half of February. 

    Notably, in the previous fortnight, the government reduced petrol prices by Rs8 per litre to Rs259.34 while keeping diesel prices steady at Rs276.21 per litre.

  • Gold prices in Pakistan rebound, surging Rs1,300 per tola

    Gold prices in Pakistan rebound, surging Rs1,300 per tola

    Gold prices in Pakistan rebounded significantly on Friday, overcoming a challenging trend in the preceding three sessions. 

    The value of 24-karat gold surged by Rs1,300 per tola, reaching Rs215,000, according to the Karachi Sarafa Association. 

    The price for 10-gramme 24-karat gold witnessed an increase of Rs1,115, standing at Rs184,328. Additionally, the rate for 10-gramme 22-karat gold was Rs168,976, compared to yesterday’s Rs167,945.

    In contrast, silver maintained stability in the domestic market, with 24-karat silver selling at Rs2,600 per tola and Rs2,229.08 per 10-gramme. 

    On the global front, international spot gold continued its positive momentum, currently trading at $2,027.32. 

    Despite today’s uptick, global gold is poised for its weakest weekly performance in the past six weeks, driven by diminishing expectations for interest rate cuts. 

    This decline in commodity prices is attributed to central bankers pushing back against market bets for rate cuts, contributing to a widespread selloff across stocks and bonds.

  • 24-karat gold price in Pakistan increases by Rs1,000 per tola

    24-karat gold price in Pakistan increases by Rs1,000 per tola

    On Wednesday, the gold price in Pakistan experienced notable gains, with the 24-karat gold increasing by Rs1,000 per tola, reaching Rs220,600. 

    The Karachi Sarafa Association reported a gain of Rs857 for the 10-gramme 24-karat gold, priced at Rs189,129, while the 10-gramme 22-karat gold stood at Rs173,369.

    It’s worth mentioning that 24-karat gold had risen by Rs2,500 per tola the previous week. 

    Additionally, silver prices saw an uptick today, with 24-karat silver and 10-gramme 24-karat silver gaining Rs30 and Rs25.72, respectively, being sold at Rs2,680 and Rs2,297.66.

    Internationally, spot gold is currently trading at $2,066.85, marking a 0.04 per cent increase, while spot silver is at $24.13, reflecting a -0.25 per cent change.

    Notably, fluctuations in global prices, coupled with shifts in the interbank exchange rate of the Pakistani rupee, impact the domestic gold market. 

    The PKR is maintaining its winning streak against the US dollar, trading at PKR 281.98/282.37 per USD in its 11th consecutive session.

  • Gold soars in Pakistani markets: Local rates surge despite stable global prices

    Gold soars in Pakistani markets: Local rates surge despite stable global prices

    On Tuesday, gold rates in Pakistan experienced an ascent, reaching Rs219,600 per tola in the domestic market, reflecting a gain of Rs300 throughout the day. 

    The 10-gramme gold price in Pakistan rose to Rs188,272, marking a Rs258 increase, as reported by the All Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Sarafa Association (APGJSA). 

    In contrast, international gold prices maintained stability at $2,072 (with a premium of $20), as noted by the APGJSA. 

    Notably, silver retained its position at Rs2,650 per tola in the local market.

  • Gold price in Pakistan surge with global trend, reach Rs216,500 per tola

    Gold price in Pakistan surge with global trend, reach Rs216,500 per tola

    On Friday, gold prices in Pakistan experienced a notable uptick, mirroring the global surge in rates. 

    The precious metal attained a value of Rs216,500 per tola, marking a substantial single-day increase of Rs2,200. 

    As reported by the All Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Sarafa Association (APGJSA), the 10-gramme gold reached Rs185,614, reflecting a rise of  Rs1,886. 

    This shift follows a decline of Rs500 in gold prices on Thursday, settling at Rs214,300 per tola. 

    According to APGJSA, the international gold rate exhibited a $20 increment on Friday, reaching $2,006 with a $20 premium. In comparison, the previous day witnessed a closing rate of $1,986. 

    In contrast, silver prices remained steady at Rs2,550 per tola on the same day, exhibiting resilience in the face of fluctuations observed in the gold market. 

  • Govt’s borrowing soars to over Rs1.6 trillion in three months, marking a fivefold increase from last year

    Govt’s borrowing soars to over Rs1.6 trillion in three months, marking a fivefold increase from last year

    In the current fiscal year, FY24, the federal government’s net borrowing to meet its financial obligations for governing the nation amounted to Rs1.6 trillion.

    According to official data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), the government secured loans exceeding Rs1.6 trillion in cash from the domestic banking sector during the first quarter, up significantly from the Rs261 billion borrowed during the same period in the previous year.

    During this period, the government obtained a net loan of Rs98 billion from SBP. It’s worth noting that the government is obligated to adhere to International Monetary Fund regulations, which prohibit direct borrowing from the central bank.

    Additionally, the government raised Rs1.5 trillion from scheduled banks in the first quarter of FY24 (up to September 8) to address the budget deficit.

    The net borrowing by the government for budgetary support in FY23 totaled Rs3.74 trillion, marking an increase from Rs3.13 trillion in FY22.