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Gold retreats once again in Pakistan, per tola price declines by Rs1,000

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Gold prices fell on Friday as the rupee ticked higher, while traders continued to position themselves for further rate hikes from the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) — as the precious commodity is highly sensitive to rising interest rates. 

Data released by the All-Pakistan Sarafa Gems and Jewellers Association (APSGJA) showed that the price of gold (24 carats) declined by Rs1,000 per tola and Rs857 per 10 grams to settle at Rs195,100 and Rs167,267, respectively.

Investors expect the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to raise interest rates as early as this week in an off-cycle review as the South Asian nation faces pressure to mend its finances amid a $1 billion loan tranche it is seeking from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

While gold is considered an inflation hedge but is highly sensitive to rising interest rates, which increase the opportunity cost of holding the non-yielding bullion.

Moreover, the local currency extended its winning streak for the third day as it gained 0.36% against the US dollar to close below the psychological level of 260 after a hiatus of 20 days in the interbank market — which faded the appeal for the precious commodity. 

Meanwhile, silver prices in the domestic market fell by Rs20 per tola and Rs17.14 per 10 grams to settle at Rs2,100 and Rs1,800.41, respectively.

In the international market, gold prices headed for another weekly fall on Friday, holding near last session’s two-month lows as prospects of more interest rate hikes by the US Federal Reserve dimmed bullion’s appeal amid a slew of strong economic data. 

The price registered a meagre decline of $8 per ounce to settle at $1,818.

Bullion has lost about 7% since the beginning of February, having posted significant declines in the previous two out of three weeks and is down about 1% this week.

Gold is trying to find support around the $1,820 level, but prices could drift still lower towards $1,776 on strong personal consumption expenditure data, said Ole Hansen, head of the commodity strategy at Saxo Bank.

“The market is looking to stabilise after the long overdue correction, which has now been unfolding for the past three weeks.”

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In January 2025, RDA inflows reach 9.564 billion USD.

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Remittances under the Roshan Digital Account (RDA) increased from US $9.342 billion at the end of 2024 to US $9.564 billion by the end of January 2025.

The most recent data issued by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) revealed that remittance inflows in January totaled US$222 million, compared to US$203 million in December and US$186 million in November 2024.

Millions of Non-Resident Pakistanis (NRPs), including those who own a Non-Resident Pakistan Origin Card (POC), desire to engage in banking, payment, and investing activities in Pakistan using these accounts, which offer cutting-edge banking options.

Nearly 778,697 accounts were registered under the scheme by the end of January 2025, according to the data.

By the end of January, foreign-born Pakistanis had contributed US $59 million to Roshan Equity Investment, US $479 million to Naya Pakistan Certificates, and US $799 to Naya Pakistan Islamic Certificates.

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FBR lowers Karachi’s built-up structure property valuation rates

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A year-by-year breakdown of the depreciation value of residential and commercial built-up properties is included in the updated property valuation rates for Karachi that the FBR has announced.

The notification said that built-up structural values on residential property will be gradually reduced.

A residential home’s built-up structure, which is five to ten years old, will lose five percent of its worth.

In a similar vein, constructions between the ages of 10 and 15 will lose 7.5% of their value, while those between the ages of 15 and 25 would lose 10%. Built-up structures that are more than 25 years old will be valued similarly to an open plot.

Furthermore, age will also be used to lower the valuation of built-up properties, such as apartments and flats.

Structures that are five to ten years old will depreciate by ten percent, while those that are ten to twenty years old will depreciate by twenty percent. A 30% depreciation will be applied to properties that are 20 to 30 years old, while a 50% reduction will be applied to those that are above 30 years old.

In terms of commercial built-up properties, buildings that are 10 to 15 years old will lose 5% of their value, while those that are 15 to 25 years old will lose 8%. The value of properties that are more than 25 years old will drop by 10%.

In contrast, there would be a 15% boost in the value of commercial properties in the Defence Housing Authority (DHA) that face any Khayaban.

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Remittances Increase 25.2% in January 2025: $3.0 Billion Inflow

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Remittances from Pakistani workers totalled US$3.0 billion in January 2025, representing a 25.2% increase from the previous year.

The cumulative remittances for July through January of FY25 were 20.8 billion dollars, up 31.7 percent from 15.8 billion dollars during the same period in FY24.

In January 2025, the United States of America contributed 298.5 million dollars, the United Kingdom contributed 443.6 million dollars, the United Arab Emirates contributed 621.7 million dollars, and Saudi Arabia contributed 728.3 million dollars.

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