Year: 2019

  • Rupee ends down by six paisas in interbank market

    Rupee ends down by six paisas in interbank market

    KARACHI: The Pak Rupee ended down by six paisas against dollar on Tuesday amid demand from importer and corporate sector for the foreign currency.

    The rupee ended at Rs160.59 to the dollar from previous day’s closing of Rs160.53 in interbank foreign exchange market.

    The foreign currency market was initiated in the range of Rs160.35 and Rs160.50. The market recorded day high of Rs160.65 and low of Rs160.15 in interbank foreign exchange market.

    Currency experts said that the local currency was under pressure due to scheduled payments for foreign debts and higher demand for import payments.

    The exchange rate in open market witnessed appreciation in rupee value. The buying and selling of dollar was recorded at Rs159.60/Rs160.60 from previous day’s closing of Rs160.20/Rs160.70 in cash ready market.

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  • FBR issues withholding tax rates for winning prize bonds

    FBR issues withholding tax rates for winning prize bonds

    KARACHI: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has issued withholding tax rates for winning prize bonds, cross word, raffle, lottery and quiz for tax year 2019/2020 as effective from July 01, 2019.

    The FBR said that every person making payment shall collect withholding tax from persons on active taxpayers list (ATL) and double the amount of the tax from persons not appearing on the ATL at the time the prize or winning were actually paid.

    The collection of withholding tax under Section 156 of Income Tax Ordinance, 2001 shall be final.

    The withholding tax shall be collected at the following rates:

    (I) Payments made for prize on quiz bond and cross word the tax rate shall be 15 percent of the gross amount.

    Persons not appearing in the Active Taxpayers’ List: The applicable tax rate is to be increased by 100 percent (Rule-1 of Tenth Schedule to the Ordinance), i.e. 30 percent of the gross amount.

    (II) Payments on winning from a raffle, lottery, prize on winning a quiz, prize, offered by companies for promotion of sale crossword puzzles the tax rate shall be 20 percent of the gross amount.

    Persons not appearing in the Active Taxpayers’ List: The applicable tax rate is to be increased by 100 percent (Rule-1 of Tenth Schedule to the Ordinance), i.e. 40 percent of the gross amount.

  • FBR directs banks to provide details of Benami account holders in 15 days

    FBR directs banks to provide details of Benami account holders in 15 days

    ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has directed all the banks to provide details of Benami account holders within next 15 days.

    FBR spokesman on Monday said that FBR chairman Shabbar Zaidi had sent communication to all the heads of banks asking them to provide details of Benami accounts.

    The spokesman said that the FBR desired the banks should obtain details of Benami account holders themselves under Benami Act 2017. “The FBR does not want to make direct contact with account holders,” the spokesman said.

    The chairman referred My 30, 2019 meeting with the heads of banks in which it was decided that the banks would arrange details of Banami bank accounts.

    The chairman assured the banks that the details would be kept secret. The spokesman further said that the FBR had authorized to identify Benami holders under the Benami Act, 2017.

    The chairman further desired that FBR and banks should work together to get optimum results. The chairman said that to identify the Benami bank account holders the banks cooperation was very important.

  • Female consumers can present CNIC of husband, father for purchase above Rs50,000: FBR

    Female consumers can present CNIC of husband, father for purchase above Rs50,000: FBR

    ISLAMABAD, February 20, 2024 – The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has issued a clarification stating that female consumers can present the CNIC of their husband or father when making purchases above Rs50,000.

    (more…)
  • KCCI hails withholding tax exemption to yarn traders

    KCCI hails withholding tax exemption to yarn traders

    KARACHI: Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has hailed the decision of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to exempt withholding tax for yarn traders.

    In a statement issued on Monday President KCCI Junaid Esmail Makda appreciated the FBR for holding numerous meeting with KCCI and taking into consideration KCCI’s suggestion pertaining to exemption of withholding tax to yarn traders into consideration as they were overburdened with additional taxes.

    Makda pointed out that under Section 45A of Part IV of the Income Tax Ordinance about Exemption from Specific Provisions, the sales, supplies and services made by traders of yarn to taxpayers from textile & articles, carpets, leather and Articles including artificial leather footwear, surgical goods and sportswear sector will not be subjected to deduction of withholding tax.

    He said that such traders of yarn shall pay 0.1 percent minimum tax on their annual turnover on monthly basis on the 30th day of each month and monthly withholding tax statement shall be e-filed under the provision of section 165 of the Income Tax Ordinance, which was widely being demanded by relevant stakeholders.

    He hoped that misinterpretation and incorrect application of Section 113 of Income Tax Ordinance which was against the spirit of SRO 333 (I) 2011 will not be repeated again and FBR would continue to take more such steps which were badly needed as the loyal taxpayers from different sectors of the economy were facing immense hardships and were finding it hard to continue their businesses because of exorbitantly high cost of doing business which must be brought down to provide a level playing field and make Pakistani goods competitive.

  • KSE-100 gains 126 points on prime minister’s US visit

    KSE-100 gains 126 points on prime minister’s US visit

    KARACHI: The share market increased by 126 points on Monday owing to US visit of Prime Minister Imran Khan and activation of market opportunity fund.

    The benchmark KSE-100 index of Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) closed at 32,585 points as against 32,459 points showing an increase of 126 points.

    Analysts at Arif Habib Limited said that the market traded in the positive zone better part of the session. The index oscillated between -67 points and +277 points and closed the session with +26 points.

    The opening bell saw index at +167 points, which helped investors form a view about market. Prime Minister Imran Khan’s ongoing visit to US is considered a key trigger for the investors besides activation of market opportunity fund.

    Breakthrough with US on account of Coalition Support Fund and matters relating to Afghan peace process are considered positive for the market sentiment.

    Earlier in the session today, cement companies in North region were known to have reduced Cement price / bag, which dampened the sentiment at the bourse. Cement sector led the volumes table with 8.5 million shares followed by Technology (5.2 million). Among scrips, MLCF saw volumes of 4.4 million shares at the top, followed by TRG (3.7 million).

    Sectors contributing to the performance include E&P (+47 points), Banks (+37 points), Fertilizer (+21 points), O&GMCs (+21 points) and Pharma (+15 points).

    Volumes declined again from 121.5 million shares to +44.5 million shares (-63 percent DoD). Average traded value also declined by 55 percent to reach US$ 12.4 million as against US$ 27.3 million.

    Stocks that contributed significantly to the volumes include MLCF, TRG, PAEL, ISL and DGKC, which formed 34 percent of total volumes.

    Stocks that contributed positively include HBL (+40 points), OGDC (+27 points), POL (+25 points), FFC (+14 points) and UBL (+12 points). Stocks that contributed negatively include MARI (-9 points), NATF (-7 points), MUREB (-7 points), BAFL (-7 points) and KAPCO (-6 points).

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  • Rupee falls by 34 paisas in interbank market

    Rupee falls by 34 paisas in interbank market

    KARACHI: The Pak Rupee fell by 34 paisas against dollar on Monday due to higher demand for import and corporate payments.

    The rupee closed at Rs160.53 to the dollar from last Friday’s closing of Rs160.19 in interbank foreign exchange market.

    The foreign currency market was initiated in the range of Rs160.30 and Rs160.60 to the dollar. The market recorded day high of Rs160.65 and low of Rs160.40 and ended at Rs160.53 in interbank foreign currency market.

    Currency experts said that the local unit was under pressure in the opening after two days weekly holidays. The currency experts said that the unclear situation regarding exchange rate policy revised through Foreign Exchange Manual also impacted the demand and supply situation.

    The exchange rate in the open market also witnessed decline in rupee value. The buying and selling of dollar was recorded at Rs160.20/Rs160.70 from previous closing of Rs160.00/Rs160.50.

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  • Hascol, Vitol Dubai enter $42 million financial arrangement

    Hascol, Vitol Dubai enter $42 million financial arrangement

    KARACHI: Vitol Dubai Limited (VDL) has agreed to provide financial facility of $42 million to Hascol Petroleum Limited, an announcement said on Monday.

    The announcement informed Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) that Hascol Petroleum Limited and Vitol Dubai Limited, a major shareholder of Hascol, had entered into financial arrangement whereby VDL had agreed to provide facilities of $42 million.

    The financial facilities included: Bank guarantee facility of $15 million; open credit limit facility of $12 million; and stock availability at HTL Port Qasim Terminal of $15 million.

    The company said that the arrangement would further strengthen the supply chain of the company.

    Hascol Petroleum Limited is engaged in the purchase, storage and sale of petroleum products such as High Speed Diesel, Gasoline, Fuel Oil and FUCHS lubricants.

    In February 2005 Hascol was granted an oil marketing license by the Government of Pakistan and since then, Hascol has been engaged in developing a retail network under Hascol brand and have commissioned over 500 retail outlets in the four provinces of Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

    Hascol Petroleum Limited has extensive links with the domestic and international oil trading companies and today is the second largest importer of petroleum products after PSO.

    Hascol also markets LPG. At present 15 Automax LPG Stations across Pakistan are in various stages of approvals with the government of Pakistan.

    Hascol has become a member of the highly esteemed listed companies of Pakistan Stock Exchange and its share price has appreciated considerably since the listing in 2014, keeping in pace with the phenomenal growth of the company.

    This massive growth has been made possible due to the strategic vision of the Board and excellent execution by Senior Management.

    Hascol has made major headway in constructing storage facilities at Keamari, Daulatpur, Shikarpur, Mehmood Kot, Machike and Amangarh. New storage facilities are compeleted for Sahiwal, Kotlajam and Thalian.

    In 2016, VITOL, the largest independent oil trading entity in the world, acquired 15 percent equity in Hascol which was later increased to 27.46 percent making VITOL the single largest shareholder in the Company.
    In joint venture with VITOL, Hascol has also set up an LNG marketing company, VAS LNG (PVT) LTD.

    Hascol will have a 30 percent stake in this company and VITOL 70 percent. Hascol has also signed a Technical Services Agreement with VITOL Aviation enabling Hascol to start fueling aircrafts at Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad airports.

    Additionally, a separate joint venture company with VITOL, Hascol Terminals Limited (HTL) has constructed one of the largest Petroleum Terminals in Pakistan at Port Qasim, having a capacity of 197,000 Metric Tons. Phase I of this terminal was commissioned in March 2019.

  • Imran Khan discusses economic reforms with IMF chief

    Imran Khan discusses economic reforms with IMF chief

    WASHINGTON: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday met David Lipton, Acting Managing Director of International Monetary Fund to discuss economic reform program.

    David Lipton, Acting Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), issued the following statement today, following his meeting with the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan:

    “I was pleased to meet Prime Minister Khan of Pakistan today in Washington, DC. We discussed recent economic developments and the implementation of the authority’s economic reform program supported by the IMF.

    “Their program aims to stabilize the economy, strengthen institutions, and thereby put Pakistan on a path of sustainable and balanced growth.

    “I highlighted the need to mobilize domestic tax revenue now and on into the future to provide reliably for needed social and development spending, while placing debt on a firm downward trend.

    “The IMF, together with other international partners, is working closely with the government of Pakistan to support the implementation of the authorities’ economic reform program.”

  • Imran Khan invites investors to benefit from Pakistan’s business opportunities

    Imran Khan invites investors to benefit from Pakistan’s business opportunities

    KARACHI: Prime Minister Imran Khan has invited overseas businessmen and investors to benefit from the economic and business opportunities afforded by Pakistan’s strategic location and the connectivity to the broader region.

    He was talking to a group of prospective investors that led by Javaid Anwar, a leading Pakistani-American businessman, called on the prime minister at the Embassy of Pakistan in Washington DC, reported by Radio Pakistan on Sunday.

    The investors appreciated improved security environment in Pakistan and identified areas of interest with regard to investment in key sectors including energy and tourism

    Javed Anwar is an effective member of Democratic party and also played a leading role in formation of Pakistan Congress Foundation caucus.

    Former Pakistan Ambassador to the UN Munir Akram and renowned businessman Shahal Khan also called on Prime Minister Imran Khan in Washington on Sunday.

    They discussed issues relating to trade and investment in Pakistan.

    The meeting was also attended by federal ministers Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Syed Ali Haider Zaidi. Advisor on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood and Advisor on Finance Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh were also present, along with Sayed Zulfiqar Abbas Bukhari.

    Meanwhile, Texas based leading Pakistani businessman and high ranking influential member of the democratic party Tahir Javed also called on Prime Minister Imran Khan at Embassy of Pakistan in Washington.

    Prime Minister Imran Khan is on three-day (July 21-23) visit to the United State. He will hold dialogues with US President Donald Trump on July 22, 2019.

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