Current Final

Tag: pakistan economy

  • Pakistan’s gold prices slide amidst strengthened rupee and international rate hike

    Pakistan’s gold prices slide amidst strengthened rupee and international rate hike

    In Pakistan, the domestic gold price continued its decline for the second consecutive week, with the cost of 24-karat gold dropping by Rs550 per tola to Rs217,450. 

    The Karachi Sarafa Association noted that 24-karat gold concluded the week’s last trading session with a gain of Rs950 per tola. 

    The 10-gramme 24-karat gold settled at Rs186,428, reflecting a gain of Rs814, while the 10-gramme 22-karat gold closed at Rs170,146.

    The international spot rate, used for calculating local rates, closed at $2,068, marking a $3 increase compared to last week. 

    Escalating concerns over the Middle East conflict led to a rise in the safe-haven asset, but gains were limited due to hawkish remarks from Federal Reserve officials.

    Despite the international rate showing an uptick, domestic bullion faced a downside this week due to the strengthened value of the Pakistani rupee against the US dollar. 

    The PKR marked its ninth consecutive weekly gain against the USD, driven by positive developments as the Executive Board of the IMF concluded the first review of Pakistan’s economic reform programme under the Stand-by Arrangement. 

    This successful review further boosted investor confidence, contributing significantly to the PKR’s upward trend against the dollar.

    The interplay between the domestic gold price and the local rupee is evident, as gold, denominated in US dollars, tends to decrease in value when the home currency appreciates against the greenback.

  • Pakistan’s weekly inflation soars beyond 44%

    Pakistan’s weekly inflation soars beyond 44%

    In the latest economic developments, Pakistan has witnessed a surge in weekly inflation for the third consecutive week, marked by a notable increase in the Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) for the Combined Group.

    The SPI for the said group witnessed a significant rise of 1.36 per cent week over week (WoW) during the week concluded on January 11, 2024.

    Adding to the economic landscape, the SPI showcased a remarkable year-over-year (YoY) increase of 44.16 per cent, comparing the current statistics with the corresponding period from the previous year.

    Last week’s SPI for the Combined Group demonstrated a WoW increase of 0.81 per cent.

    Data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) reveals that the combined index stood at 317.92 in comparison to 313.66 on January 4, 2024.

    Notably, this index was recorded at 220.53 a year ago, specifically on January 12, 2023.

    Among the 51 items analysed, 21 experienced an increase in average prices, while prices for 8 items decreased, and 22 items remained stable.

    The noteworthy price hikes during the week were observed in tomatoes (15.63 per cent), onions (8.94 per cent), chicken (6.42 per cent), electricity charges for Q1 (5.11 per cent), and eggs (4.31 per cent).

    Conversely, significant decreases were noted in the prices of potatoes (5.92 per cent), vegetable ghee (1 KG) (0.84 per cent), sugar (0.43 per cent), vegetable ghee (2.5 KG) (0.29 per cent), and mustard oil (0.26 per cent).

    The weekly SPI percentage change, when categorised by income groups, indicated a uniform increase ranging between 1.2 per cent and 1.34 per cent across all quantiles. The lowest-income group experienced a 1.2 per cent rise, while the highest-income group recorded a 1.34 per cent increase.

    On a yearly basis, the analysis of SPI change across various income segments revealed an overall increase ranging from 36.06 per cent to 47.48 per cent.

    The lowest-income group witnessed a yearly rise of 36.06 per cent, whereas the highest-income group recorded a significant increase of 42.71 per cent.

  • Gold prices surge in Pakistani market, 24-karat hits Rs216,500 per tola

    Gold prices surge in Pakistani market, 24-karat hits Rs216,500 per tola

    On Friday, the domestic bullion market saw a modest increase, with the price of 24-karat gold in Pakistan rising by Rs200 per tola to reach Rs216,500.

    The Karachi Sarafa Association noted that the price of 10-gramme 24-karat gold reached Rs185,614, indicating a gain of Rs172, while the 10-gramme 22-karat gold stood at Rs170,146.

    In contrast, silver remained steady in the local market, with 24-karat silver being sold at Rs2,650 per tola and Rs2,271.94 per 10-gramme.

    On the global scale, international spot gold is currently trading at 2,036.75, marking an increase of $8.55 or 0.4% for the day.

    Notably, when the Karachi Sarafa Association reported local rates, the spot rate in the international market had seen a slight uptick of $4.

  • IMF greenlights $700 million for Pakistan’s economic stabilisation programme

    IMF greenlights $700 million for Pakistan’s economic stabilisation programme

    In a significant development, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) successfully concluded its first review of Pakistan’s economic reform programme on Thursday.

    This programme, backed by a $3 billion and-by a arrangement (SBA), has now received a boost with the immediate approval and disbursement of $700 million, as confirmed by the finance ministry.

    According to an official statement from the ministry, the completion of the first review by the IMF’s Executive Board, coupled with the payment of $528 million in special drawing rights, has elevated the total disbursements under the SBA to $1.9 billion.

    The infusion of funds from the IMF, combined with recent inflows from multilateral lenders, is anticipated to contribute to the stability of the Pakistani rupee, which has demonstrated relative steadiness over the past few months.

    The finance ministry highlighted that this fresh tranche would play a crucial role in facilitating rollovers from allied countries, including the United Arab Emirates, China, and Saudi Arabia.

    Additionally, it is expected to alleviate external debt repayment pressures faced by Pakistan.

    This positive development traces back to June 2023, when the IMF Executive Board granted approval for a much-needed nine-month arrangement with Pakistan to support its economic stabilisation program.

    The initial disbursement of $1.2 billion was promptly released in July, with the remainder subject to two quarterly reviews over the programme’s duration.

    The current IMF programme is slated to conclude in the second week of April, with the recent disbursement marking a significant step towards its successful execution.

    Notably, a staff-level agreement was reached in November 2023 between the IMF staff and Pakistani authorities, paving the way for the first review under Pakistan’s SBA.

    This agreement was contingent upon subsequent approval by the IMF’s Executive Board.

    Looking ahead, Pakistan is poised to receive the remaining amount in March under the $3 billion SBA.

    Despite facing challenging conditions, particularly persistently high inflation, which rose to 29.7 per cent in December from 29.2 per cent in the preceding month, Pakistan remains committed to navigating through these economic challenges with the assistance of international financial institutions.

  • Cost of living rises in Pakistan: Weekly inflation jumps by 0.81%

    Cost of living rises in Pakistan: Weekly inflation jumps by 0.81%

    In a recent report by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), the Weekly Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) for the Combined Group witnessed a marginal increase of 0.81 per cent Week on Week (WoW), concluding on January 04, 2024.

    The SPI also exhibited a substantial 42.86 per cent Year on Year (YoY) surge when compared to the corresponding period from the previous year.

    The Combined Index, reflecting the overall price movement, stood at 313.66 as of January 04, 2024, compared to 311.14 on December 28, 2023. In contrast, a year ago on January 05, 2023, the index was reported at 219.56.

    Out of the 51 items considered, the average prices of 19 items experienced an increase, 09 items observed a decrease, and 23 items remained stable throughout the week.

    During this period, notable price hikes were observed in tomatoes (16.04 per cent), chicken (13.98 per cent), eggs (3.20 per cent), onions (3.04 per cent), and bananas (2.13 per cent).

    Moreover, significant decreases were noted in the prices of potatoes (8.68 per cent), tea Lipton (1.29 per cent), garlic (0.68 per cent), and cooking oil 5 litre & vegetable ghee 2.5 kg (0.54 per cent) each.

    Analysing the weekly SPI percentage change across income groups revealed a universal increase ranging from 0.79 per cent to 0.84 per cent. The Lowest Income Group experienced a rise of 0.81 per cent, while the highest income group recorded a slightly lower increase of 0.8 per cent.

    On a yearly basis, the SPI change across different income segments exhibited a general increase ranging from 35.33 per cent to 46.38 per cent. The Lowest Income Group saw a yearly rise of 35.33 per cent, while the highest income group recorded an increase of 41.35 per cent.

    Noteworthy price points in the market included Sona urea, with an average price of Rs4,618 per 50 kg bag, marking a 0.02 per cent increase from the previous week and a substantial 72.45 per cent surge compared to the previous year.

    In contrast, the average Cement price recorded at Rs1,226 per 50 kg bag showed a 0.47 per cent decrease from the previous week but stood 17.43 per cent higher than prices observed last year.

    These fluctuations in the SPI underscore the dynamic nature of the market, reflecting both short-term variations and longer-term economic trends.

    As consumers and businesses navigate these changes, analysts are closely monitoring the SPI for insights into broader economic patterns.

  • Pakistan’s exports to China surge to $1223.5 million

    Pakistan’s exports to China surge to $1223.5 million

    In a noteworthy development, Pakistan’s export of goods and services to China experienced a substantial increase of 39.44 per cent during the initial five months of the current fiscal year (2023–24), as reported by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).

    According to the latest SBP data, the overall exports to China reached $1223.532 million from July to November (2023–24), marking a significant rise compared to the $877.444 million recorded during the same period last fiscal year.

    On a year-to-year basis, the exports to China showed a remarkable growth of 36.29 per cent, rising from $199.058 million in November 2022 to $271.316 million in November 2023.

    However, on a month-on-month basis, there was a slight decline in exports to China during November 2023, registering a decrease of 14.90 per cent compared to the exports of $318.842 million in October 2023, as per the SBP data.

    Meanwhile, Pakistan’s overall exports to other countries exhibited a commendable increase of 4.99 per cent in the first five months, surging from US $11.915 billion to US $12.510 billion, according to the SBP data.

    In contrast, the imports from China into Pakistan during the reviewed months amounted to US $4741.099 million, reflecting a decline of 6.03 per cent compared to the corresponding period last year (2022–23).

    On a year-on-year basis, imports from China saw a notable increase of 10.71 per cent, rising from US $906.128 million in November 2022 to US $1003.248 million in November 2023.

    On a month-on-month basis, the imports from China recorded a marginal uptick of 0.99 per cent in November 2023 compared to the imports of US $993.401 million in October 2023, according to the data.

    The overall imports into Pakistan witnessed a significant decrease of 16.02 per cent, declining from $25.341 billion to US $21.281 billion, as reported by the data.

  • Gold price in Pakistan goes up by Rs1,600 per tola

    Gold price in Pakistan goes up by Rs1,600 per tola

    On Tuesday, gold prices in Pakistan experienced a notable surge, aligning with the upward trend in the global market.

    The precious metal reached a valuation of Rs221,300 per tola in the domestic market, marking a substantial gain of Rs1,600 throughout the day.

    As reported by the All Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Sarafa Association (APGJSA), the 10-gramme gold was traded at Rs189,729 after witnessing an increase of Rs1,372. This movement follows a Rs300 decrease per tola in gold prices on the preceding Monday.

    In the international arena, gold exhibited a rise of $12 on Tuesday, reaching $2,094 per ounce with an additional premium of $20, as communicated by APGJSA.

    Conversely, silver maintained stability at Rs2,680 per tola in the local market amidst these fluctuations in gold prices.

  • Gold prices in Pakistan kick off 2024 with decline, hitting Rs219,700 per tola

    Gold prices in Pakistan kick off 2024 with decline, hitting Rs219,700 per tola

    On the inaugural day of 2024, gold prices experienced a downturn in Pakistan.

    The precious metal, colloquially referred to as the yellow metal, was valued at Rs219,700 per tola following a decline of Rs300 in Pakistani gold market on Monday. 

    In terms of 10 grammes, gold was traded at Rs188,357, reflecting a decrease of Rs258, as reported by the All Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Sarafa Association (APGJSA). 

    Notably, this came after a Rs900 per tola decrease in gold prices on the preceding Saturday.

    Concurrently, the global gold rate exhibited stability at $2,082 per ounce on Monday, with an additional $20 premium per ounce, according to APGJSA. 

    In the realm of silver, rates held steady at Rs2,680 per tola in Pakistan.

  • Gold rate drops by Rs1,900 per tola

    Gold rate drops by Rs1,900 per tola

    On Friday, the gold market in Pakistan halted its previous upward trend, experiencing a decline in tandem with the global decrease in gold prices. 

    As reported by the All Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Sarafa Association (APGJSA), the price per tola of gold was adjusted to Rs220,900, reflecting a one-day decrease of Rs1,900. 

    The 10-gramme gold rate also saw a reduction, reaching Rs189,386 after a decrease of Rs1,629.

    Contrary to Thursday’s surge of Rs 2,200 per tola, the international gold rate exhibited a setback, settling at $2,090 per ounce on Friday with a $20 premium. This decline of $15 in the global market was noted by the APGJSA.

    In the same period, silver rates remained unchanged at Rs2,680 per tola in the local market.

  • Non-filers may face bank account suspension, travel bans: FBR 

    Non-filers may face bank account suspension, travel bans: FBR 

    The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has issued a stern warning to individuals who have not filed their income tax returns, stating that they could face severe consequences, including the suspension of bank accounts and restrictions on both domestic and international travel via motorways and air travel. 

    Muhammad Asif, Chief of Broadening the Tax Base (BTB), informed the media that the FBR has initiated a comprehensive nationwide survey of businesses and commercial entities to identify non-filers for registration. 

    Non-filers are urged to register with their nearest tax office promptly to avoid penalties, fines, utility disconnection, and the suspension of bank accounts.  

    In extreme cases, non-compliance may lead to restrictions on movement on motorways and at airports.  

    The FBR, through its countrywide field formations, is actively conducting surveys to gather information on businesses and commercial activities, which will be accessible on the official website soon. 

    According to official documents, despite Pakistan’s population reaching 240 million, only around 5.2 million individuals are registered in the tax system and filed their income returns in 2022.  

    The country faces significant challenges in its fiscal landscape, marked by widespread tax evasion, a low tax-to-GDP ratio, and a limited number of tax filers, resulting in insufficient funding for essential public services and critical socioeconomic development initiatives. 

    Recognising the urgency of expanding the tax base to strengthen the nation’s financial foundation, the FBR has launched a nationwide drive targeting eligible individuals and those with taxable income to register with the tax system and file their income returns. The goal for the current year is to add 1.5 million new taxpayers. 

    The Director of BTB highlighted that the FBR, through third-party data acquisition, has compiled the financial transaction data of hundreds of thousands of individuals not yet in the tax net.  

    This information is accessible on the FBR’s website under the title “MALOMAAT,” allowing individuals to review their transactions over the past few years. 

    The FBR emphasises that it possesses data on nearly all eligible individuals for filing income returns, and non-compliance will be addressed within a few weeks.  

    According to Brecorder, to avoid penalties, fines, utility disconnection, and travel restrictions, individuals are urged to take advantage of the available time, visit their nearest tax office, and register promptly, as stated by Muhammad Asif.