In a move to provide financial relief and stimulate increased electricity consumption, Pakistan’s government is drafting a winter package that could reduce electricity prices by up to Rs8 per unit. The Power Division and Ministry of Finance, along with other departments, are collaborating on this initiative, which aims to support both residential and industrial users over a three-month winter period. …
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Urgent Action Needed on Wheat Support Price to Avoid $1 Billion Import Bill
Ministry Urges Swift Action on Wheat Support Price The Ministry of National Food Security and Research has called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to quickly announce a new wheat support price and set procurement targets. The ministry warns that failing to act could lead to wheat imports worth over $1 billion. This urgency comes from conditions set by the International …
Read More »Pakistan’s Forex Reserves Cross $11 Billion Amid Positive Economic Indicators
Pakistan’s Forex Reserves Reach $11 Billion After 30-Month Gap Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves, held by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), rose to over $11 billion as of October 11, 2024. This marks an increase of $215 million in a week and a significant milestone after 30 months. The reserves have grown for 12 consecutive weeks, reflecting an overall increase …
Read More »IMF Bailout at Risk: Pakistan Must Secure $2 Billion in Financing to Avoid Delay
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) could delay the new $7 billion bailout if Pakistan fails to secure a $2 billion financing gap from commercial lenders by the end of the current week.Pakistan must submit a signed Letter of Intent (LoI) to the IMF Executive Board for approval of the 37-month Extended Fund Facility (EFF) while committing to comply with all …
Read More »IMF Imposes New Conditions on Pakistan Amid Concerns Over Energy
IMF Imposes New Conditions Following Punjab’s “Fiscally Reckless” Electricity Subsidy The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has imposed several new conditions on Pakistan’s provincial governments concerning energy subsidies and budget management. This move follows Punjab’s controversial decision to provide Rs45 to Rs90 billion in electricity subsidies over two months, which the IMF has labeled as “fiscally reckless.” Government sources revealed that …
Read More »IMF Delays Consideration of Pakistan’s $7 Billion Bailout Package
Introduction The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has postponed the approval of Pakistan’s $7 billion bailout package, as it is not part of the IMF Executive Board’s agenda for the upcoming week. This delay adds to the uncertainty surrounding Pakistan’s efforts to stabilize its economy, which continues to struggle with significant financial challenges. IMF Executive Board Meeting Schedule The IMF’s Executive …
Read More »Pakistan Weekly Market Update – August 23, 2024: Optimism Grows Amid IMF Progress
Market Commentary Pakistan Weekly Market Update: The week commenced with slight market pressure due to Pakistan’s absence from the IMF Executive Board’s schedule for August 2024, leading to concerns about the disbursement of the expected tranche. However, optimism returned midweek when the Finance Minister announced progress in negotiations with the IMF, suggesting the possibility of securing approval from the IMF …
Read More »US Dollar Continues to Climb in Interbank Market, Reaches Rs278.60
The US dollar maintained its upward momentum in the interbank market on Thursday, increasing by eight paisas and bringing its value to Rs278.60. This rise follows a similar increase on Wednesday when the dollar gained 11 paisas, reaching Rs278.45. The recent surge in the dollar’s value is attributed to the continued delay in the approval of Pakistan’s much-anticipated $7 billion …
Read More »Government’s Rs32 Trillion Borrowing Plan
The Pakistani government announced on Tuesday its need for Rs32 trillion in loans for the fiscal year 2024-25, relying heavily on rollovers from foreign banks and bilateral lenders. The success of this borrowing plan is contingent on the timely approval of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme and continued financial support from China. Key Aspects of the Borrowing Plan The …
Read More »Government Plans to Reduce Electricity Tariffs Amid Financial Risks
In a bid to tackle the financial challenges plaguing Pakistan’s power sector, the federal government has unveiled plans to reduce current electricity tariffs. This initiative comes amid growing concerns over the sector’s significant financial risks and inefficiencies. The proposed measures aim to provide some relief to consumers while addressing the underlying issues within the power sector. The government’s strategy involves …
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