Connect with us

Business

Petrol, diesel prices hiked by more than Rs19

Published

on

  • Petrol rate hiked to Rs272.95 per litre for the next fortnight.
  • Ishaq Dar says the government is bound by IMF’s conditions.
  • The revised prices have come into effect immediately.

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar on Tuesday announced a massive Rs19 per litre increase in the price of petrol and diesel, which he said was done in line with the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) demands.

The revised prices have come into effect immediately.

The announcement was due on July 31, but the government did not issue new rates as the officials tried to maintain or reduce the rates — keeping in view the impact of the price hike on inflation-weary people.

Dar, who made the announcement as the finance minister for the last time as his government’s term ends on August 12, said the increase was inevitable as Pakistan had agreed with the IMF on slapping petroleum development levy (PDL) to the rates.

ProductExisting prices w.e.f 16.07.2023New prices w.e.f 01.08.2023Change
PetrolRs253Rs272.95Rs19.95
DieselRs253.50Rs273.40Rs19.90

“…we tried to either reduce or see what could be adjusted in its working. But we all know about our commitments with the IMF on the petroleum development levy,” Dar mentioned.

The finance minister said the government, had it not been in an agreement with the IMF, would have reduced the PDL to provide relief to the masses.

Dar said he would not resort to moves that the previous government did as it decreased the petrol price and breached the commitments made with IMF.

The finance minister mentioned that the price of high-speed diesel had moved up significantly in the international market, resulting in the government’s decision to hike local rates.

“Keeping in mind national interest, it is crucial that we pass on the minimum [amount] which has been calculated,” the finance minister added.

The IMF has imposed stringent conditions to ensure that the $3 billion Standby Agreement continues smoothly. One of the requirements of the agreement is to raise the petroleum levy to Rs60 per litre.

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