Connect with us

Business

IMF deal pushes Pakistani rupee up by 11.1 against dollar

Published

on

KARACHI: The Pakistani rupee on Tuesday gained massively in the interbank market during the intraday trade after the government struck a deal with International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The country on Friday secured a $3 billion short-term financial package from the IMF, giving the economy some much-awaited respite as it teeters on the brink of default.

The greenback was changing hands with the rupee at Rs274.98 after losing Rs11.1 in the interbank during the intraday trade. It closed at 285.99 on June 27 — the last trading session before the Eid holidays.

The dollar had on May 11 soared to a record-high Rs290.93 in the interbank. Since then, it has posted a drop of Rs23.43.

Speaking to Geo News, Topline Securities CEO Mohammad Sohail said that the rupee has gained up to 3% as expected.

“The sustainability of the gains will be confirmed in the coming days as the government claims that the partial funds under the deal will be disbursed by the mid of July.”

Sohail added that the government has also claimed that it would secure around $4-$5 billion from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and the Islamic Development Bank — which would improve the dollar liquidity issues.

The Topline Securities chief executive said that if these payments materialise, the rupee will likely remain strong and stable.

“However, the pressure could increase if the payments get delayed.”

If we believe the government’s claims that Pakistan’s reserves will increase to $14 billion by August, then the rupee will likely stabilise around 270 or 280, he added.

Business

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

Published

on

By

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.

Continue Reading

Business

Pakistan and the IMF begin talks for a new loan.

Published

on

By

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.

Continue Reading

Business

Petrol prices are likely to drop significantly beginning May 16.

Published

on

By

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.

Continue Reading

Trending