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Rupee plunges to 294.93 against US dollar in interbank

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  • Rupee loses Rs3.42 against US dollar in interbank market.Currency dealers attribute depreciation to formation of interim govt.ECAP expects further devaluation amid pressure on foreign reserves.


The Pakistani currency extended losses against the US dollar on Wednesday as it plunged by more than Rs3 against the greenback in the interbank market.The rupee closed at Rs294.93 in the interbank market after it fell by Rs3.42 against the US dollar.

A day earlier, the rupee closed at Rs300 in the open market while it lost Rs3.02 in its value against the greenback to close at Rs291.51 in the interbank market.

Currency dealers attributed the depreciation of the local currency mainly to the formation of a caretaker setup at the Centre as the interim rulers are expected to vigorously implement the International Monetary Fund (IMF) conditions for the $3 billion Stand-By Arrangement (SBA).

The latest devaluation of the rupee came a day after caretaker government led by Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar approved a massive hike in the petroleum prices, taking petrol and diesel to historic high of 290.45 and 293.40 per litre, respectively.

Exchange Companies Association of Pakistan (ECAP) General Secretary Zafar Paracha had earlier told Geo.tv that the fall in rupee value was expected after the caretaker government took charge.

He said the interim government is expected to take all measures in line with the conditions of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that the elected regime avoided.

Moreover, he said the recent move to lift all restrictions on imports to meet IMF conditions was also one of the factors that led to the devaluation of the rupee as the move would put pressure on the country’s foreign exchange reserves.

Paracha added that the drop in remittances to Pakistan from its citizens working abroad to $2 billion in the first month of this fiscal year and falling exports were also the factors behind the rupee depreciation.

He said the rupee is expected to fall further against the US dollar to narrow the gap between open and interbank markets in line with the IMF condition.

The ECAP general secretary also blamed the presence of a grey market and the rise in terror incidents in the country for the rise in dollar value against the rupee.

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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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