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Rupee depreciates against dollar for fifth straight session

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  • Rupee closes at 224.40 against dollar.
  • Local unit loses 0.01% against greenback.
  • It comes after forex reserves fell to four-year-low.

The Pakistani rupee Friday registered losses against the US dollar for the fifth straight session in the interbank market as the central bank-held foreign exchange reserves fell over 10% week-on-week.

The local unit closed at 224.40 against the greenback after losing 0.01% compared to Thursday’s close of 224.37, data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) showed.

The development comes after foreign exchange reserves held by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) plunged to an alarming level after falling 10.45% to a four-year low.

The foreign currency reserves held by the SBP were recorded at $6,714.9 million as of December 2, down $784 million compared with $7,825.7 on November 25, data released by the central bank showed.

The reserve crisis has raised fears that the country might not be able to meet its foreign debt payments, however, SBP Governor Jameel Ahmad believes that Pakistan can repay its debts.

In the latest episode of the SBP podcast series, Ahmad reiterated that all debt repayments were on track and that country’s foreign exchange reserves were expected to increase in the second half of the current fiscal year.

Commenting on the severity of the dollar crunch, the Ministry of Finance’s former adviser Dr Khaqan Hassan Najeeb, said that it was important to consider that Pakistan had only received $4 billion in the last five months (July-November 2022) — this was beside the rollover.

“The slow inflow of funds, heavy payments — including Sukuk payment — and a less than satisfactory financial account have all added pressure on the reserves which now barely cover a month and 10 days of import payment,” he stated.

But that’s not it as the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) programme is also stalled after Pakistan did not meet the all requirements for the ninth review.

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has constantly assured that the country will successfully complete the IMF programme. The country is in desperate need of external financing as the IMF’s review for the disbursement of its next tranche of funding has been delayed since September.

Business

Pakistan’s gold prices are still declining; see the most recent

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The price of 10-gram gold reduced by Rs943 to settle at Rs207,733, while the price of gold dropped by Rs1200 to close at Rs242,300 a tola, according to the Sindh Sarafa Jewellers Association.

In the global market, the price of the precious metal fell by $10 to $2,349 per ounce, resulting in losses.

At 04:48 GMT, the spot price of gold had dropped by 0.2% to $2,354.77 per ounce. In the previous session, prices reached a two-week high.

American gold futures dropped 0.6% to $2,361.

Spot silver decreased by 0.4% to $28.03 per ounce, while palladium remained steady at $978.03 and platinum decreased by 0.1% to $992.89.

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Business

Pakistan and the IMF begin talks for a new loan.

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Pakistan is requesting a $6 to $8 billion bailout package from the international lender over the next three to four years to address its financial troubles.

A mission team led by Nathan Porter, the IMF’s Mission Chief in Pakistan, is meeting with a Pakistani delegation led by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb.

According to sources familiar with the situation, Islamabad may face more difficult options, such as raising power and gas bills.

Mr. Aurganzeb informed the IMF team that the country’s economy has improved as a result of the IMF loan package, and Islamabad is ready to sign a new loan programme to further develop.

The IMF mission expressed satisfaction with Islamabad’s efforts to revive the country’s struggling economy.

The IMF praised Pakistan’s economic growth in its staff report earlier this week, but warned that the outlook remains challenging, with very high downside risks.

The country nearly avoided collapse last summer, and its $350 billion economy has stabilized since the end of the last IMF program, with inflation falling to roughly 17% in April from a record high of 38% last May.

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Petrol prices are likely to drop significantly beginning May 16.

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According to sources, the government is set to decrease petrol prices by Rs 14 per litre and diesel prices by Rs 10 on May 16 for the next fortnight’s revision.

Last month, the government reduced the price of fuel and high-speed diesel by Rs5.45 and Rs8.42 per fortnight, respectively.

The current fuel price is Rs288.49 per litre, while the HSD price is Rs281.96.

Meanwhile, oil prices fell further on Monday, as signs of sluggish fuel consumption and comments from U.S. Federal Reserve officials dimmed optimism for interest rate reduction, which may slow growth and reduce fuel demand in the world’s largest economy.

Brent crude prices down 25 cents, or 0.3%, to $82.54 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate crude futures fell 19 cents, or 0.2%, to $78.07 per barrel.

Oil prices also declined on signals of poor demand, according to ANZ analysts, as gasoline and distillate inventories in the United States increased in the week before the start of the driving season.

Refiners throughout the world are dealing with falling diesel profitability as new refineries increase supply and warm weather in the northern hemisphere and weak economic activity reduce demand.

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