Business

Petrol price may increase by Rs20 from Feb 16

Published

1 year ago

Farwa

Next petrol price review due on Feb 15.
PDL may also be increased on diesel.
Sharp increase in POL prices is expected.

KARACHI: The prices of petrol may witness a surge of Rs20 per litre in the next two weeks’ review — which is to be held on February 15, 2023, The News reported on Tuesday.

This recent uptick in petrol price was based on the calculations of the international price of petrol i.e. free on board (FOB) basis, oil industry sources told the publication.

The government had carried out a massive increase of Rs35 per litre in the last fortnightly review of fuel prices. Currently, the government is charging Rs50 per litre petroleum levy (PL) whereas general sales tax (GST) has not been imposed yet.

The price of petrol may further increase provided the foreign exchange rate was adjusted in the next review, the sources mentioned.

They further said that the exchange rate was on the higher side, which would deprive the local consumers of any benefit or reduction in the prices of petroleum products.

The prices of petrol in the international market have decreased, but the steep depreciation of the rupee against the dollar has eroded the gains to detriment of domestic consumers.

The sources also added that the petrol price might go up even further if the government adjusted Rs20 per litre on account of the exchange rate as well, which would cumulatively take the price by up to Rs40 per litre.

On the other hand, diesel price was not reflecting any increase on FOB sans exchange rate adjustment. The sources said that if the exchange rate was adjusted, diesel prices could go up in the next review.

The government had adjusted Rs14 per litre on diesel on account of the exchange rate; however, the steep appreciation of the dollar has eaten up the exchange rate adjustment of the last review.

They noted that diesel prices went down by five to six dollars per barrel in the global market, but rupee depreciation would not allow the government to pass on this reduction in global prices to local consumers.

The last increase in prices of petroleum products was made in the review on January 29, 2021, by the federal government. After the review, petrol price was tagged at Rs249.80 per litre; high-speed diesel Rs262.80 per litre; kerosene oil Rs189.83 per litre; and light-speed diesel Rs187 per litre.

On January 29, 2023, the government increased the prices of petrol and high-speed diesel by Rs35 per litre each and the rates of kerosene oil and light diesel oil were increased by Rs18 per litre each.

Pakistan is currently facing a short supply of petrol, with its most populous province, Punjab bearing the brunt of the crisis. Major and smaller cities, towns and villages in Punjab do not have the fuel, which was also being blamed on petroleum dealers.

Last week, sources had said that other than the low import of petrol by a majority of Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs), petroleum dealers were having a field day and were involved in the hoarding of petrol in view of the expected increase in prices by mid-February.

Business

There are US$13,280.5 million in foreign exchange reserves in Pakistan.

Published

19 hours ago

Farwa

According to a representative for the central bank, as of April 19, 2024, the nation’s total liquid foreign reserves were valued at US$ 13,280.5 million. A loss of US$74 million left the State Bank of Pakistan’s foreign reserves at US$7,981.2 million.

Commercial banks have $5,299.3 million in reserves for Pakistan.

In the week that concluded on April 12, the State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) foreign exchange reserves increased by $14.4 million to $8.055 billion.

“In a weekly statement, SBP stated that it has repaid US$ 1 billion in principal and interest on Pakistan’s International Bond, which matures this week.”

But at $13.374 billion, the nation’s total reserves decreased by $68 million. In the same way, commercial banks’ reserves dropped to $5.319 billion, a reduction of $82 million.

Business

NIMA seminar to increase Pakistan’s ship recycling industry’s capacity

Published

19 hours ago

Farwa

According to a release, important players from a range of maritime industries attended the conference to discuss issues facing the shipping sector.

It further stated that the symposium cleared the path for the resurgence of a sustainable future in ship recycling.

Participants in the conference included representatives of the Gadani Ship Breaking Labour Union, PSBA, KS&EW, KPT, PMSA, GEMS, and the federal and Balochistani governments.

Furthermore, global perspectives and ideas were offered by international specialists such as Rabia Razzaque from UN-ILO and Professor Raphael Baumler from the World Maritime University.

The seminar emphasized Pakistan’s capacity to emerge as a pioneer in the field of environmentally friendly ship recycling.

In order to protect the environment and the safety of employees, the participants emphasized the importance of following international standards and regulations.

During his speech, Chief Guest Senator Nisar Ahmed Khoro emphasized the importance of the maritime industry’s resurgence and the crucial necessity for coordinated efforts from all parties involved.

A new age of economic prosperity, worker safety, and environmental responsibility for Pakistan’s maritime industry was called for as he urged the stakeholders to work together on a comprehensive SENSREC program.

Vice Admiral Ahmed Saeed (Retd), the president of NIMA, emphasized the significance of environmental stewardship and safety in ship recycling procedures.

Business

Inflows into the Roshan Digital Account surged to $7.660 billion on March 24.

Published

19 hours ago

Farwa

According to the data, remittance inflows for the month of March totaled US$ 182 million, whereas they were US$ 141 million in February and US$ 142 million in January 2024.

Millions of Non-Resident Pakistanis (NRPs), including those who own Non-Resident Pakistan Origin Cards (POCs), can now engage in banking, payment, and investing activities in Pakistan with the help of these accounts, which offer cutting-edge banking solutions.

According to a statement from the State Bank of Pakistan, the number of accounts registered under the program increased by 11,091 from 668,701 accounts in February 2024 to 679,792 accounts in March 2024.

As of March 2024, the central bank reported that foreign nationals of Pakistan have invested US $312 million in Naya Pakistan Certificates, US $528 million in Naya Pakistan Islamic Certificates, and US $31 million in Roshan Equity Investment.

It is important to note that former prime minister Imran Khan introduced the Roshan Digital Account initiative in September 2020 with the goal of giving Pakistanis living abroad access to digital banking services for the first time.