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Gas prices to go up 10-15% as govt aims to reduce circular debt

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  • Circular debt currently stands at Rs1,250 billion.
  • Govt officials say govt is contemplating an increase in gas prices.
  • An increase of just 5% to generate Rs50 billion is likely, they add.

ISLAMABAD: The government is likely to hike gas prices by 10% to 15% in its bid to reduce circular debt that currently stands at Rs1,250 billion, The News reported on Thursday.

The decision comes after the International Monetary Fund (IMF) asked Islamabad to hike natural gas prices from January 1 next year. The lender is, however, aware of the government collecting Rs980 billion in revenue during the ongoing FY24 owing to the massive hike in gas prices by up to 193%.

“The authorities are contemplating an increase in the natural gas sale price by 10-15%, which will yield Rs100 billion in additional revenue. It is to be used for slashing the natural gas circular debt. However, the final decision to this effect has not been taken so far,” senior government officials of the Energy Ministry told the publication, adding that gas prices will increase by just 5% to generate Rs50 billion.

With the massive rise in gas price by up to 193% from November 1, 2023, the government will have surplus revenue of Rs275 billion which will be consumed in paying the Rs210 billion cost to be incurred against the RLNG diversion to the domestic sector in the ongoing winter season. It also offsets the loss of Rs65 billion incurred due to the failure of the government to notify gas price hike four months late.

The gas companies, Sui Southern and Sui Northern will submit their petitions with the OGRA seeking an adjustment in gas prices from January 1, 2023, which will most probably ask for a downward revision of gas prices.

However, the Fund wants the government to further increase gas prices by 10-15% from January 1, 2024. The Fund pinpointed that the government has failed to hike the gas tariff biannually for the last 10 years since 2013, causing a massive buildup in the gas circular debt.

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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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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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