Connect with us

Business

Karachiites to pay additional Rs1.52 in surcharge

Published

on

  • Federal cabinet nod is necessary to notify it.
  • It will be collected for a span of one year.
  • Federal government had requested increase.

ISLAMABAD: On the federal government’s request, the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) Thursday approved a hike of Rs1.52  per kWh surcharge for Karachi Electric (KE) consumers, which will translate into a whopping Rs24.50 billion burden on Karachiites.

The sole power supplier of Pakistan’s biggest city — in terms of population — will be able to collect this additional surcharge for a period of a year, from December 2023 to November 2024, according to Nepra.

Although the power regulator has approved the rise in the tariff, the federal cabinet nod is necessary to notify it. The increase will not affect the sole power provider’s lifeline customers.

“In view of the foregoing discussion, response of the MoE, and the fact that Motion has been filed under Section 3 1(8) of the NEPRA Act, which empowers the Federal Government for imposition of surcharge, and is being levied for fulfillment of the financial obligation of the Federal Government, the Authority has decided to allow the subject Motion i.e. recovery of Rs. 1.52/kWh from the consumers of K-Electric, except life line, for a period of twelve months from December 2023 to November 2024,” Nepra said.

The government has taken several measures to hike gas and power tariffs in a bid to curtail the circular debt and satisfy the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for releasing a much-needed loan under a short-term programme.

Pakistan is set to receive $700 million soon, which will boost the economically struggling nation’s foreign reserves and help it pay off debts and in terms of imports.

Expressing the commitment to further hike electricity and gas tariffs, caretaker Minister for Finance Dr Shamshad Akhtar had said that the interim government plans to increase gas prices in January next year to address the circular debt issue.

Addressing a press conference here at the Q Block last week, she said that under the IMF’s Stand-By Agreement Programme (SBA), it has been agreed to reduce costs in the energy sector and restore efficiency in the sector.

“The circular debt of the power and gas sectors has crossed 4 percent of Gross Domestic Product. Urgent action is needed to bring it down. We have started work in this regard and electricity and gas rates have been adjusted accordingly,” she 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