Business

Rupee remains stable versus US dollar

Published

1 year ago

Farwa

Rupee settles at 223.95 against US dollar in interbank market.
Local unit lost value in last few sessions but remained within 223 level.
PBC says expecting rupee to defy gravity is “unrealistic”.

KARACHI: The Pakistan’s rupee fell marginally against the US dollar on Monday, depreciating Re0.01 in the interbank market.

The rupee settled at 223.95 against the US dollar compared to its Friday close of 223.94 in the interbank market, according to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).

The rupee lost value in the last few sessions but remained within the 223 level as restrictions imposed over import payments, opening of letters of credit, and foreign-currency carrying limits on travellers meant the currency stayed administratively under control.

Analysts also believe it was a result of negative sentiment that was fanned by the shrinking dollar stash of the country.

However, the local unit is likely to bounce back later this week on expected inflows from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).

The Pakistan Business Council (PBC) in a note posted on their Twitter handle stated that expecting the Pakistani rupee to defy gravity (in view of its depleting forex position) is unrealistic.

“Bolstering rupee through administrative controls renders exports less competitive and imports (even curbed), cheaper. Where is the sense in this when we want the reverse — higher exports?” it said.

Expecting PKR to defy gravity (in view of depleting FX position) is unrealistic. Bolstering PKR through administrative controls renders exports less competitive and imports (even curbed), cheaper. Where is the sense in this when we want the reverse – higher exports?
— The Pakistan Business Council (@ThePBC_Official) November 28, 2022

Tresmark last week’s client note stated that the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) is expecting external flows from multilateral (such as World Bank, Asian Development Bank, AIIB and others), bilateral and other sources.

However, contrary to the dominant opinion, the platform for treasury markets said that despite some positives, the rupee weakening doesn’t seem to end soon.

The rupee/dollar parity could test previous highs if the pressure on the forex reserves is not eased, it noted.

Business

Pakistan’s gold prices continue to decline.

Published

1 day ago

Farwa

The price of ten grams of 24 carat gold dropped by Rs 1,201 to Rs 205,418 from Rs 206,619, while the price of ten grams of 22 carat gold dropped to Rs 188,300 from Rs 189,400, according to the All Sindh Sarafa Jewellers Association.

Silver, priced at Rs. 2,620 per tola and Rs. 2,254.80 per ten grams, stayed at that level. As reported by the organization, the price of gold dropped by $11 on the global market, to $2,297 from $2,308.

Business

Price of LPG “slashed” by Rs. 20 per kilogram

Published

1 day ago

Farwa

Sources claim that LPG rates have been lowered by Rs 20, making the cost per kilogram drop from Rs 280 to Rs 260.

It is noteworthy to remark that the costs of LPG were reduced by Rs 20 per kilogram earlier, resulting in a total reduction of Rs 40 per kilogram within a few weeks.

The price of liquefied petroleum gas for the month of May 2024 was lowered by the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) on April 30.

The LPG tariffs were lowered by Rs 11.88 to Rs 238.46 per kilogram in accordance with the OGRA’s notice. On Wednesday, May 1, 2024, the new rates will go into effect.

In April of last year, the price per kilogram of LPG was Rs 250.34. pricing reduction of Rs 140.18 has resulted in a new pricing for home LPG cylinders set for May 2024 of Rs 2813.85.

The OGRA reported a drop in liquefied petroleum gas pricing in April. The price of LPG is now Rs 250.34 per kg instead of Rs 256.78 due to a reduction of Rs 6.44 per kg.

The price of the household cylinder was fixed at Rs 2954.03 for the month of April, down from Rs 3030.12, a decrease of Rs 76.9.

Business

ADB delegation stops by FBR headquarters

Published

1 day ago

Farwa

Senior Director ADB Tariq Niazi oversaw the expedition, which also involved Sana Masood, Farzana Noshab, and Senior Public Sector Management Specialist Laisiasa Tora. The meeting included presentations from economists as well, according to an FBR press release.

The officers focused on structural and policy adjustments as they discussed the Domestic Resource Mobilization Program’s implementation at the meeting.

$300 million was given to the Pakistani government by ADB in December 2023 as a result of the hard work and dedication of FBR. Better laws, regulations, and institutional capability for the FBR were established by Sub-Program I.

With the $300 million in funding provided by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to the Government of Pakistan in December 2023, the delegation conveyed satisfaction with the program’s effective launch.

The FBR also underlined how crucial digitization is to recording the economy and boosting productivity in a sustainable way.

In order to promote the Government of Pakistan’s Digital Tax Administration Project, both parties decided to look into measures to improve their cooperation.