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Govt making all-out efforts to put economy on path of sustainable growth: Dar

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  • “Pakistan was expected to become world’s 18th-strongest economy in 2016.”
  • The country, however, is facing serious economic challenges, Dar says.
  • “Pakistan will not default,” retreats finance minister.

ISLAMABAD: The federal government is making all possible efforts to steer the country out of a difficult situation and put the economy on the path of sustainable growth, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has said.

Addressing an Iftar dinner hosted by the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) in honour of foreign diplomats, he said that friendly countries are expected to materialise their commitments with Pakistan that would pave the way to close the deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and revive the economy.

In 2016, Pakistan was a rising economy as it was expected to become the world’s 18th-strongest economy, but is now facing serious economic challenges, the financial czar added. “Pakistan will not default and the government is making all possible efforts to steer it out of a difficult situation.”

Speaking on the occasion, ICC President Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari urged the government to ensure consistency in economic policies that would enable the business community and investors to invest in Pakistan with confidence.

He assured that the business community would fully support the government in its efforts to revive the economy.

He highlighted the business and investment opportunities in Pakistan for diplomats and said that Pakistan is a huge market with over 220 million consumers and offered great investment opportunities in various sectors of its economy.

Zafar Bakhtawari, former President ICCI, said the business community is hopeful that Finance Minister Ishaq Dar will soon conclude a deal with the IMF that will enable Pakistan to cope with its current economic crisis.

He urged the government to work hard to end the country’s reliance on foreign loans and make it self-sufficient and assured that the business community would fully support in achieving this goal.

Atadjan Movlamov, Ambassador of Turkmenistan, Yerzhan Kistafin Ambassador of Kazakhstan, Khazar Farhadov Ambassador of Azerbaijan, Ulanbek Totuiaev Ambassador of Kyrgyzstan, Dr Mehmet Pacaci Ambassador of Turkey, Adam M Tugio Ambassador of Indonesia, Dr Ramez Alraee, Ambassador of Syria, and diplomats of many other countries including Saudi Arabia, Australia, Malaysia, Poland, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Republic of Turkish Northern Cyprus attended the Iftar dinner.

They appreciated the ICCI for hosting a magnificent Iftar dinner for them.

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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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