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Govt set to introduce digital currency to stabilse rupee

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  • Digital currency will be issued on government’s guarantee.
  • Central Bank Digital Currency is conducting feasibility analysis.
  • Digital currency to save expenses incurred on printing of currency notes.

KARACHI: The government has decided to launch digital currency in a bid to save currency printing and distribution costs, The News reported on Tuesday.

The digital currency will also help in appreciating rupee value, improving the economy, and making extensive financial transactions.

The value of the digital currency will be on par with the Pakistani rupee like a unit of Chinese digital currency, which is equal to one Chinese Yuan.

Supported by the State Bank of Pakistan, the Pakistani digital currency will be issued on the government’s guarantee like currency notes. The SBP has started working on introducing the digital currency and it is getting the services of the experts.

A dedicated department — Central Bank Digital Currency — is conducting the cost benefits and feasibility analysis of the digital currency for smooth transactions after its launching. 

The government wants to gradually replace currency notes with digital currency but also wants to keep the digital currency and currency notes in parallel with the ratio of 80:20 so that in case of any unforeseen situation, an alternate in the form of currency notes is available.

The digital currency will also save expenses incurred on printing of currency notes, distributing them into different cities, and destroying old notes. Besides, every transaction made through digital currency will be documented, which will help enforce monetary policy effectively.

Digital currency also has a huge potential to foster cross-border trade and investment, while providing unbanked individuals with access to financial services.

It also has the potential to significantly improve the financial industry’s efficiency, resiliency, and reliability, according to the World Bank. Blockchain is one type of distributed ledger.

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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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