Business

Rupee breaks all records, plunges to 239.94 against US dollar

Published

2 years ago

Farwa

Rupee closes at Rs239.94 against US dollar in interbank market.
Depreciates Rs3.92 against greenback in a single-day.
Analyst says higher dollar demand and outflows are taking a toll on currency.

KARACHI: The Pakistani rupee plunged to a new low on Thursday while continuing its downward spiral against US dollar in the interbank market despite Finance Minister Miftah Ismail assuring investors that the pressure on local currency will soon “vanish”.

Data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) showed that the local unit closed at a historic low of 239.94 against the US dollar — surpassing its last day low of 236.02 after depreciating by Rs3.92, or Rs1.63% today.

Speaking to Geo.tv, Arif Habib Limited’s Head of Research Tahir Abbas said the currency pressure continued today as well, amid higher dollar demand and outflows — mainly oil-related payments tagged with lower inflows.

Fears have risen about Pakistan’s stuttering economy as its currency fell nearly 8% against the US dollar in the last trading week, while the country’s forex reserves stood below $10 billion with inflation at the highest in more than a decade.

Alpha Beta Core CEO Khurram Schezad said that the US dollar is getting stronger in the global market almost against all the world currencies — and the rupee is not an exception.

In addition, he said, Pakistan’s external account issues are not settled as yet though imports are slowing.

He noted that although the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is on board for disbursement, the flows are yet to materialise as the Executive Board’s final approval is awaited.

“Global rating agencies have put a negative outlook on the economy, so that is an additional burden that is weighing in on the financial markets in general and forex market in particular,” he added.

Business

Pakistan’s gold price increases by an additional Rs. 800 per tola.

Published

19 hours ago

Farwa

The price of yellow metal in the local market hit Rs247,300 on the first working day of the week, following a rise of Rs800 in a single day.

The cost of ten grams of 24-karat gold increased by Rs686 on Monday, making the current price Rs212,020.

In addition, the cost of 10 grams of 22-karat gold increased significantly, trading at Rs194,351.

These fluctuations are strongly correlated with shifts in the US dollar’s value, demonstrating the tight connection between gold prices and exchange rates. This emphasizes how local gold markets are impacted by variables related to the global economy.

The price of the precious metal dropped $16 on the international market on Monday, hitting $2,348 per ounce.

Business

A delegation from Pakistan travels to the US to bargain with the IMF for a new loan.

Published

20 hours ago

Farwa

The Pakistani delegation consists of the Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan, the Secretary of Finance, the Additional Secretary, and other individuals.

The Finance Minister was greeted at the airport by Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States, Masood Khan, and Embassy staff.

The Finance Minister will meet with representatives of the World Bank and IMF while he is in the US.

The IMF and Pakistan are expected to negotiate next week, according to sources.

Sources claim that Islamabad will apply for a new credit package from the IMF.

The Finance Minister’s itinerary also includes meetings with members of think tanks and the world press.

Last month, Pakistan and the IMF came to a staff-level agreement over the third and final review of the $3 billion stand-by arrangement. Should the board of the global lender approve this deal, Pakistan will get approximately $1.1 billion.

Although a specific date has not been determined, the IMF board is anticipated to evaluate the case in late April, according to a spokeswoman.

Business

Pakistan’s petrol prices are anticipated to rise.

Published

20 hours ago

Farwa

The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) will not disclose the anticipated increase in fuel prices until its work is finished, according to sources.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will receive the summary of the petrol price, and sources further stated that the new pricing will be revealed following his approval today.

Noteworthy to highlight is that Pakistan was previously ordered by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to impose an 18% General Sales Tax (GST) on gasoline.

Details indicate that Pakistan was requested by the Monetary Fund to stop reducing sales tax on all goods, including gasoline.

To boost tax revenue, Pakistan’s recently elected government should impose a sales tax on petroleum items in addition to a Rs 60 charge.

High-speed diesel (HSD) was reduced by Rs3.32 per litre on March 31 but petrol prices increased by Rs9.66 per litre by the government.

In contrast to the reduction in the price of high-speed diesel (HSD) to Rs282.24 from Rs278.92, the price of gasoline jumped to Rs289.41 per litre.

The adjustments were brought about by a commensurate increase in the price of gasoline and a decline in the price of HSD on the global market, according to a statement released by the Finance Ministry.

According to the statement, the adjustment was made in accordance with government policy, which transfers pricing differences from the foreign market to the home market.