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Gold shines bright as it climbs to yet another high

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The price of gold in Pakistan rose to yet another high Tuesday, as the country’s economic turmoil showed no improvement and inflation shattered the previous record.

According to data provided by the All Pakistan Sarafa Gems and Jewellers Association (APSGJA), the rate of gold (24 carats) jumped by Rs1,500 per tola and Rs1,286 per 10 grams to reach Rs221,000 and Rs189,472, respectively.

The gold rate has been on a steady uptrend in Pakistan, as economic fundamentals weakened, the rupee depreciated and inflation soared to record highs. During such times, people prefer to buy the precious metal to protect themselves against inflation and currency depreciation.

The rupee had fallen to an all-time low of Rs288.43 against the US dollar in the interbank market on April 11. While it has recovered since then, the US dollar continues to trade above Rs280.

On Tuesday, the rupee lost Re0.08 or 0.03% against the greenback to close at Rs283.92 in the interbank market.

Meanwhile, inflation in April clocked in at 36.4% year-on-year — a record high — which means Pakistan has the fastest rising prices in Asia, beating even Sri Lanka where inflation was measured at 35.3% in the previous month.

Another reason for the increased gold demand is the delay in an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a desperately needed economic bailout, without which the country risks default.

The delay in the revival of the IMF programme negatively impacts the currency market which, in turn, bolsters the demand for gold.

Meanwhile, the price of gold remained unchanged at $1,990 per ounce in the international market.

Data shared by the association showed that the price of silver rose by Rs130 per tola and Rs111.45 per 10 grams to settle at Rs2,730 and Rs2,340.53, respectively — which the APSGJA were also record highs. 

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Pakistan pledged to finish building the TAPI gas pipeline.

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The minister discussed the importance of the TAPI gas pipeline project for Pakistan’s energy needs during a meeting with Turkmenistan’s ambassador to Pakistan, Atadjan Movlamov.

The Minister was congratulated by Ambassador Movlamov on taking office and his commitment to the project was noted.

Dr. Musadik Malik thanked the ambassador for his kind words, acknowledged the support, and promised to maintain the two nations’ friendship. The intergovernmental commission and working group meetings for the project this year were briefed by Atadjan Movlamov.

He invited the Minister to attend the Turkmenistan Energy Forum, which would take place in Paris the following month.

TAPI undertaking
The project is for the construction of a 1,680-kilometer pipeline with a 56-inch diameter that can carry 3.2 billion cubic feet of gas per day (bcfd) from Turkmenistan through Afghanistan and Pakistan to the border between Pakistan and India.

According to the terms of the TAPI agreement, Afghanistan would receive its portion of 0.5 billion cubic feet of gas per day, while Pakistan and India will each receive 1.325 billion cubic feet of gas per day.

In order to carry out the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project, Pakistan and Turkmenistan inked a cooperative implementation plan in Islamabad on June 4.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and a delegation from Turkmenistan, led by Minister of Energy and Water Resources Daler Juma’a, were present at the ceremony.

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The price of gold is still rising in Pakistan.

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According to the All Sindh Sarafa Jewellers Association, the cost of 10 grams of 24 karat gold grew by Rs. 86 to Rs. 196,760 from Rs. 196,674, while the cost of 10 grams of 22 carat gold jumped to Rs. 180,363 from Rs. 180,284.

The price of silver per tola and ten grams stayed at Rs. 2,211.93 and Rs. 2,580, respectively.

According to the Association, the price of gold on the global market rose by $7 to $2,200 from $.2,193.

It is important to note that Pakistani and IMF personnel have agreed at the staff level on the second and final review conducted as part of Pakistan’s Stand-By arrangement.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Pakistan have reached a staff-level agreement on the second and final review of Pakistan’s stabilization program, which is supported by the IMF’s US$3 billion (SDR2,250 million) SBA Agreement. This is according to the official statement released by a team led by Nathan Porter.

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Seven nations’ worth of investors are interested in outsourcing airport operations.

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According to specifics, a meeting about the privatization of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and the outsourcing of airports was presided over by Minister for Defence and Aviation Khawaja Muhammad Asif.

Prior to this, the federal government made the decision to contract out the three main airports in the nation—Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad. A status report on the topic was presented to the conference by the International Finance Corporation (IFC).

Khawaja Muhammad Asif gave the order to call a virtual meeting of Pakistani ambassadors in these nations and request that they actively participate with interested parties.

In order to raise awareness of local investors and enable them to take part in the bidding process, he also recommended establishing connections between them and foreign investors.

Usman Akhtar Bajwa, the secretary of the Privatization Commission, briefed the minister on the marketing strategy and the first interactions with foreign investors.
The federal minister was instructed to travel to these nations in order to cultivate relationships with possible investors and introduce organizations that are interested in privatization to Pakistan.

Additionally, the minister promised to support both federal transactions.

Senior officers, the additional secretary of the ministry of foreign affairs, and the secretary of aviation were also present for the event.

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