The US dollar climbed to a record high against the Pakistani Rupee (PKR), touching Rs175.73 in interbank trading on Friday. This unprecedented surge marks the rupee’s weakest performance, as escalating import payments continue to exert pressure on the local currency.
Currency experts noted a significant depreciation of the rupee by Rs1.54, ending the day at Rs175.73 against the previous day’s close of Rs174.19. This new record surpasses the previous all-time low of Rs175.27, recorded on October 26, 2021.
The rupee had experienced a temporary rally following its last record low in October 2021, buoyed by a financial pledge from Saudi Arabia. The Saudi government committed to transferring $3 billion directly to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on the same day the last lowest rate was recorded. This support had offered a brief reprieve to the weakening currency.
However, the relief was short-lived as the demand for dollars continued to rise, primarily driven by a significant increase in import bills. Data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) reveals that the import bill soared by 65.15 percent to $25.06 billion during the period from July to October 2021, compared to $15.17 billion during the same period in the previous fiscal year. This stark increase in imports reflects a growing economic challenge for Pakistan, fueling further demand for the US dollar.
The rising dollar has been a source of concern for Pakistan’s economy, which is grappling with multiple financial pressures including higher import costs and international debt obligations. These factors combine to stress the PKR, making imports more expensive and inflation harder to control.
Market analysts predict that if the trend of high import bills continues without corresponding increases in exports or external financial support, the PKR could face further devaluation. Economists suggest that Pakistan needs to enhance its export capabilities and seek more sustainable financial inflows to stabilize the currency.
As the government and financial authorities ponder over solutions to mitigate this economic challenge, the business community and consumers are bracing for potential impacts on pricing and cost of living due to the depreciating local currency.
The situation underscores the importance of comprehensive economic strategies that balance import needs with export growth, effective utilization of foreign aid, and stabilization measures by the central bank to ensure economic stability in the face of fluctuating global currency markets.
ISLAMABAD: Inland Revenue Enforcement Network (IREN) has detected duty and tax evasion to the tune of Rs125.66 million during first four months (July – October) 2021.
Implementing its policy of zero tolerance against tax evasion, Inland Revenue Enforcement Network (IREN) Squads of FBR, in a counter-evasion operation, has seized non duty / tax paid cigarettes (approximately 65,811,500 sticks) worth Rs. 156,480,112, resulting in detection of evasion of taxes and duties of Rs. 125,662,630 in the first four months of FY 2021-22.
Likewise, during the month of October, 2021, IREN had seized 16,326,000 illegal cigarettes worth Rs. 46,978,050. As such evasion of taxes and duties worth of Rs. 33,366,319 was detected.
This action is in pursuance to directions of the honorable Prime Minister of Pakistan against illicit sale of non-duty/tax-paid and counterfeit cigarettes.
IREN was established in September 2019 with a Chief Coordinator, Central Field Coordinator and seven regional enforcement hubs all across Pakistan, tasked to conduct raids and seizures on the counterfeit and non-duty paid cigarettes.
As a part of ongoing crackdown against illicit cigarette trade country wide, all IREN hubs intensified their operation against businesses dealing in non-duty paid and counterfeit cigarettes to save national exchequer from revenue loss.
Dr. Muhammad Ashfaq Ahmed, the Chairman FBR has appreciated the performance of IREN staff. He informed that from January 1, 2022, Track & Trace System would be rolled out to cover tobacco manufacturing across the country, and that AJK Government had approached Federal Board of Revenue to extend the scope of Track & Track System to cigarette manufacturing units located inside AJK territory.
It is expected that over the next few months’ implementation of Track & Trace System and its extension into AJK, coupled with IREN’s valiant drive would help overcome the menace of counterfeit, illicit and non-tax paid cigarettes in the market.
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has unveiled a new module within the WeBOC (Web-Based One Customs) system. This online Customs clearance system is designed to specifically cater to the needs of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), aiming to streamline their operations in the realm of international trade.
10. Zia ud Din, Large Taxpayers Office (LTO) Lahore
11. Kazam Ali, Directorate of Intelligence and Investigation (IR) Lahore
12. Muhammad Arif Iqbal, Directorate of Intelligence and Investigation (IR) Lahore
13. Fazal Mahmood, CTO Lahore
14. Farrukh Iqbal, RTO-I Lahore
15. Hisaab Khan, RTO-II Lahore
16. Qaiser Raza Hashmi, RTO-II Lahore
17. Syed Pervez Ahmed, LTO Karachi
18.Muhammad Naeem, Medium Tax Office (MTO) Karachi
19. Imam Ali Sial, CTO Karachi
20. Muhammad Ayub, RTO-I Karachi
21. Muhammad Tahir Mushtaq, CTO Karachi (Presently posted with CIR Appeals V Karachi)
22. Saeed Ahmed, MTO Karachi
23. Abdul Saleem Khan, MTO Karachi
24. Hameed Ahmed, LTO Karachi
25. Ahmed Ali, CTO Karachi
26. Iftikhar Ali S/o Intizar Ali, RTO-I Karachi
27. Jabbar Hussain, RTO Rawalpindi
28. Zulfiqar Ali, RTO Peshawar
29. Ms. Aftab Khattak, RTO Peshawar
30. Muhammad Yasin Abbasi, RTO Sukkur
31. Abdul Fatah Mughal, RTO Sukkur
32. Masood Ahmed, RTO Sargodha
33. Muhammad Zulqarnain, RTO Sialkot
34. Muhammad Yousaf, RTO Sialkot
35. Muhammad Abid, RTO Hyderabad
36. Malik Shahid Iqbal, RTO Multan
37. Syed Khawar Hussain Zaidi, RTO Multan
38. Imran Shams, RTO Multan
39. Muhammad Kaleem Ahmed, RTO Bhawalpur (Presently posted with CIR Appeals Bhawalpur)
40. Muhammad Nawaz, RTO Faisalabad
41. Muhammad Abid Mukhtar, RTO Faisalabad
42. Mukhtar Ahmed, RTO Faisalabad
The FBR said that promotion will take effect from the date of their joining in their present places of posting, subject to the condition that no disciplinary / inquiry proceedings are pending against them.
The FBR further said that the officials will be on probation for a period of one year, extendable for further period not exceeding one year, provided that if no order is issued by the day following the termination of probationary period, the appointment shall be deemed to be held until further orders.
The officials who are already drawing performance allowance will continue to draw the same on their promotion, the FBR added.
Pakistan car sales (including KIA) clocked in at 24,000 units in October 2021, down 4 per cent MoM.
Analysts at Topline Securities said that Pak Suzuki (PSMC) had stopped booking of certain variants of Cultus and Alto models due to supply side constraints which had an impact on its overall sales during the month.
Honda Car (HCAR) also witnessed lower MoM sales due to rising competition and anticipated launch of KIA Stonic.
Sales of HCAR and PSMC were down 27 per cent and 8 per cent MoM, respectively. Indus Motors (INDU) continued to post strong growth growing by 10 per cent MoM. Hyundai Nishat also recorded 10 per cent MoM increase in car sales.
With stringent regulation on car financing by SBP and rising interest rates, car sales can slow down further going forward.
On YoY basis, car sales improved by 49 per cent YoY driven by PSMC and INDU sales which were up 69 per cent and 26 per cent, respectively. In 4MFY22, car sales increased by 75 per cent YoY to 90k units primarily due to low base and macro recovery.
Pakistan bike sales as reported by PAMA were up 14 per cent MoM and 1 per cent YoY to 177k units in Oct 2021 where Atlas Honda (ATLH) recorded growth of 14 per cent MoM and 8 per cent YoY.
Pakistan tractor sales posted growth of 22 per cent MoM and 19 per cent YoY, reporting sales of 5k units during Oct 2021. Trucks & buses sales were down 5 per cent MoM and up 32 per cent YoY.
KARACHI: The capital gain tax (CGT) on disposal of shares for the month of September 2021 will be collected on November 19, 2021, according to a notification issued on Thursday.
The National Clearing Company of Pakistan Limited (NCCPL) communicated the stock brokers that the aggregate amount of CGT arising on disposal of shares at Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) for the period September 01, 2021 to September 30, 2021, would be collected on Friday November 19, 2021 through respective settling banks of the Clearing Members.
All Clearing Members are hereby requested to ensure requisite amount in their respective settling bank’s account. Necessary details and reports for the said period have already been made available in the CGT System.
Further, the aggregate amount of CGT arising on trading of future commodity contracts at Pakistan Mercantile Exchange for the period September 01, 2021 to September 30, 2021, would also be collected from the Pakistan Mercantile Exchange on Friday November 19, 2021.
Necessary details and reports for the period have already been made available, the NCCPL said.
Clearing Members and Pakistan Mercantile Exchange are hereby requested to verify the investor wise details of capital gain or loss and tax thereon, if any, through reports/downloads.
In case of none or partial collection of CGT, necessary action would be taken in accordance with the Rules and NCCPL Regulations, according to the notification.