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  • Pakistan’s sensitive price inflation surges by 45%

    Pakistan’s sensitive price inflation surges by 45%

    ISLAMABAD: The inflation based on Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) has surged by around 45 per cent by the week ended August 25, 2022, according to data released by Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) on Friday.

    READ MORE: Pakistan’s sensitive price inflation surges by 37.67%

    The PBS said that prices of essential items have recorded an increase of 44.58 per cent year on year for the week ended August 25, 2022.

    The essential items which recorded increase in prices during the period are included: Tomatoes (178.10 per cent), Onions (155.14 per cent), Diesel (108.77 per cent), Petrol (94.53 per cent), Pulse Masoor (90.74 per cent), Cooking Oil 5 litre (70.61 per cent), Mustard Oil (67.58 per cent), Vegetable Ghee 2.5 Kg (64.71 per cent), Vegetable Ghee 1 Kg (63.93 per cent), Washing Soap (63.27 per cent), Electricity for Q1 (63.03 per cent), Chicken (55.76 per cent) and Pulse Gram (55.07 per cent), while a decrease observed in the prices of Chilies Powder (43.42 per cent), Sugar (16.90 per cent) and Gur (1.21 per cent).

    READ MORE: Pakistan’s headline inflation may up 24% in July 2022

    The PBS said that the SPI for the current week ended on August 25, 2022 recorded an increase of 1.83 per cent.

    Increase is observed in the prices of food items, Tomatoes (43.09 per cent), Onions (41.13 per cent), Potatoes (6.32 per cent), Eggs (3.43 per cent), Garlic (2.23 per cent), Powdered Milk (1.53 per cent) and Pulse Mash (1.12 per cent), non-food items, Cigarettes (2.26 per cent) and LPG (1.95 per cent).

    On the other hand, a decrease observed in the prices of Pulse Masoor (1.18 per cent), Vegetable Ghee 1Kg (1.00 per cent), Vegetable Ghee 2.5Kg (0.82 per cent), Bananas (0.61 per cent), Cooking Oil 5 litre (0.51 per cent), Sugar (0.28 per cent) and Mustard Oil (0.07 per cent).

    READ MORE: Pakistan inflation crosses 33% on high petroleum prices

    During the week, out of 51 items, prices of 23 (45.10 per cent) items increased, 07 (13.72 per cent) items decreased and 21 (41.18 per cent) items remained stable.

    The bureau computes the SPI on a weekly basis to assess the price movements of essential commodities at a shorter interval of time so as to review the price situation in the country. SPI comprises 51 essential items collected from 50 markets in 17 cities of the country.

    READ MORE: Petroleum prices in Pakistan push inflation 13-year high

  • Pakistan’s forex reserves fall to $13.52 billion

    Pakistan’s forex reserves fall to $13.52 billion

    KARACHI: Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves fell by $91 million to $13.522 billion by week ended August 19, 2022, State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) said on Thursday.

    The foreign exchange reserves of the country were at $13.613 billion a week ago i.e. August 12, 2022.

    READ MORE: Pakistan’s forex reserves increase by $52 million

    The country’s foreign exchange reserves hit all-time high of $27.228 billion on August 27, 2021. Since then the foreign exchange reserves have declined by $13.703 billion.

    The official foreign exchange reserves of the State Bank witnessed a decline of $87 million to $7.81 billion by week ended August 19, 2022 as against $7.897 billion a week ago.

    READ MORE: Pakistan’s reserves plunge 43-month low to $13.56 billion

    The foreign exchange reserves held by the central bank witnessed a record high at $20.146 billion by week ended August 27, 2021. Since then the official reserves of the SBP declined by $12.336 billion.

    The country is hoping to receive a $1.17 billion tranche under Extended Fund Facility (EFF) from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). This will help Pakistan to boost its foreign exchange reserves.

    READ MORE: Pakistan’s foreign reserves dip to $14.21 billion

    A meeting of IMF executive board is scheduled on August 29, 2022 to approve the tranche for the country.

    The foreign exchange reserves held by commercial banks also slipped by $4 million to $5.712 billion by week ended August 19, 2022 when compared with $5.716 billion a week ago.

    READ MORE: Pakistan forex reserves deplete to $14.42 billion

  • Amazon registers over 6,000 Pakistani sellers

    Amazon registers over 6,000 Pakistani sellers

    ISLAMABAD: Over 6,000 Pakistani sellers have been registered on Amazon platform, the leading global e-commerce giant, according to a press release issued on Tuesday.

    This was revealed by Pakistani Ambassador to the United States Masood Khan in the press release issued from Washington DC.

    He said that more than 6,000 sellers from Pakistan were registered last year on Amazon platforms after the leading global e-commerce giant opened seller registration for the country.

    “This was a significant breakthrough for Pakistan providing much-needed international online business exposure to the country,” he continued.

    “According to Amazon, these sellers have done good, steady business over the past few months. This is just a beginning, with a promise of huge expansion,” continued the Ambassador of Pakistan.

    He said the volume of Amazon-supported businesses would grow exponentially with better networking and integration with US online platforms.

    He was addressing a 35-member delegation of Washington Intergovernmental Professional Group (WIPG) who interacted with him at the Embassy on August 23, 2022.

    WIPG helps professionals in maximizing their network, realizing their full potential and delivering value to various stakeholders. It also assists companies, associations and organizations to connect with the right kind of workforce to achieve organizational goals.

    The delegation comprised former governor of Puerto Rico Luis Fortuno, WIPG President Nelson Garcia, economists, government officials, presidents and CEOs of corporations, entrepreneurs, investment fund managers, legal experts and diplomats.

    The Ambassador said that better networking among Pak-US professionals, IT experts, businessmen, entrepreneurs and corporate leaders would create win-win solutions for the two countries and would help meet the growing needs of US economy.

    “In past two decades, the two countries remained focused on tackling security issues in the region. These decades of lost economic and business opportunities for Pakistan need to be substituted with massive investment and commercial activities”, emphasized the Pakistan envoy.

    Masood Khan said that with a 220 million population with its 100 million middle class, 130 million youth below the age of 30 years, 110 million mobile broadband subscribers and a tech savvy young human capital, Pakistan provides ideal conditions for the US investors and entrepreneurs to explore, invest and expand their businesses not only to Pakistan but to the Central Asia, West Asia, Middle East and North America.

    Highlighting the remarkable growth of start-ups and tech sector in Pakistan during past few months, the Ambassador said that the tech sector of the country was taking off and poised to serve the entire region.

    The Ambassador said that all efforts were being made to create strong linkages at all levels including government-to-government, business-to-business and most importantly people-to-people contacts.

    Our diaspora, he said, is the most reliable and resilient connecting tissue binding the two countries and its people together.

    We have to work together to further strengthen our partnerships in all possible areas including trade, investment, health, energy, climate change, green and renewable energy and agriculture.

    The Ambassador thanked the Washington-based group for exploring ways to integrate Pak professionals with their peers in America.

    Pakistan, he said, had a growing reservoir of a capable workforce. Later, the Ambassador responded to the questions of the participants about business opportunities in Pakistan, Pakistani exports to the US including rice and the security situation in South Asia.

  • Essential items witness inflation above 42%: Pakistan Bureau

    Essential items witness inflation above 42%: Pakistan Bureau

    ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) on Friday disclosed that prices of essential items have recorded inflation above 42 per cent on year on year (YoY) basis by week ended August 18, 2022.

    The bureau stated that Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) of essential items depicts an increase of 42.31 per cent.

    READ MORE: High inflation may force further monetary tightening

    The essential items that recorded increase in prices during this period are included: Pulse Masoor (111.02 per cent), Diesel (108.77 per cent), Petrol (94.53 per cent), Onions (94.43 per cent), Cooking Oil 5 litre (72.96 per cent), Mustard Oil (71.08 per cent), Chicken (69.04 per cent), Vegetable Ghee 1 Kg (68.56 per cent), Vegetable Ghee 2.5 Kg (67.05 per cent), Electricity for Q1 (63.03 per cent), Washing Soap (61.92 per cent), Pulse Gram (58.93 per cent), Gents Sponge Chappal (52.21 per cent), Pulse Mash (51.51 per cent) and Garlic (36.59 per cent).

    While a decrease observed in the prices of Chilies Powder (43.42 per cent), Sugar (16.55 per cent) and Gur (1.96 per cent).

    READ MORE: Pakistan inflation hits 14-year high at 25% in July

    The SPI for the week ended on August 18, 2022 recorded an increase of 3.35 per cent.

    Increase is observed in the prices of food items, Tomatoes (20.28 per cent), Chicken (7.57 per cent), Onions (2.30 per cent), Powdered Milk (2.03 per cent), Eggs (1.63 per cent), Pulse Moong (1.42 per cent) and Potatoes (1.07 per cent), non-food items, Electricity for Q1 (6.83 per cent), Petrol (2.96 per cent) and Cigarette (1.69 per cent).

    On the other hand, a decrease observed in the prices of LPG (3.46 per cent), Vegetable Ghee 1Kg (1.16 per cent), Garlic (0.94 per cent), Mustard Oil (0.71 per cent), Pulse Masoor (0.42 per cent), Pulse Gram (0.36 per cent), Vegetable Ghee 2.5Kg (0.33 per cent), Cooking Oil 5 litre (0.31 per cent), Diesel (0.18 per cent), Firewood Whole (0.16 per cent) and Sugar (0.03 per cent).

    READ MORE: Pakistan hikes key policy rate by 125 basis points to 15%

    During the week, out of 51 items, prices of 25 (49.01 per cent) items increased, 11 (21.57 per cent) items decreased and 15 (29.42 per cent) items remained stable.

    The SPI is computed on weekly basis to assess the price movements of essential commodities at shorter interval of time so as to review the price situation in the country. SPI comprises of 51 essential items collected from 50 markets in 17 cities of the country.

    READ MORE: Pakistan’s sensitive price inflation surges by 37.67%

  • Clearance of banned cars, phones allowed on 100% surcharge

    Clearance of banned cars, phones allowed on 100% surcharge

    ISLAMABAD: The government has allowed clearance of stuck up consignments of cars and mobile phones on payment of 100 per cent surcharge.

    The ministry of commerce on Friday issued an office memorandum regarding prohibition / complete quantitative restrictions on import of non-essential and luxury items.

    READ MORE: Pakistan lifts ban on import of cars, phones, luxury items

    The ministry said that pursuant to the decision of federal cabinet on August 19, 2022, the federal government had allow release of all those consignments/shipments which had been imported in violation of SRO 598(I)/2022 dated May 19, 2022 and landed at any Pakistani port, subject to payment of surcharge.

    The commerce ministry stated that to release those held up consignments, except Completely Built Unit (CBU) Auto, CBU phones and CBU home appliances, which landed after June 30, 2022 and on or before July 31, 2022 subject to payment of 25 per cent surcharge, and 35 per cent surcharge for those consignments which arrived after July 31, 2022.

    READ MORE: 15% surcharge imposed for clearance of banned items

    Similarly, to release held up consignments of CBU auto, CBU mobile phones and CBU home appliances, which landed after June 30, 2022 and on or before July 31, 2022 subject to payment of 100 per cent surcharge.

    The ministry of commerce issued SRO 1562(I)/2022 for lifting the ban on luxury and non-essential items, including motor vehicles, mobile phones and home appliances.

    The government on May 19, 2022 through a circular No. 598 (I)/2022 imposed the complete ban on import of such items in the wake of serious balance of payment crisis and to prevent fall in rupee value.

    Despite the ban, the rupee fell to the historic low of Rs239.94 against the dollar on July 28, 2022.

    It is worth mentioning that the foreign exchange reserves were drastically decreased despite imposition of ban on imported luxury items.

  • Pakistan lifts ban on import of cars, phones, luxury items

    Pakistan lifts ban on import of cars, phones, luxury items

    ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Friday lifted ban on all import of luxury and non-essential items amid serious foreign exchange crisis.

    The ministry of commerce issued SRO 1562(I)/2022 for lifting the ban on luxury and non-essential items, including motor vehicles, mobile phones and home appliances.

    The government on May 19, 2022 through a circular No. 598 (I)/2022 imposed the complete ban on import of such items in the wake of serious balance of payment crisis and to prevent fall in rupee value.

    Despite the ban, the rupee fell to the historic low of Rs239.94 against the dollar on July 28, 2022.

    It is worth mentioning that the foreign exchange reserves were drastically decreased despite imposition of ban on imported luxury items.

    READ MORE: Pakistan decides to lift ban on imported goods

    Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves have increased by $52 million by week ended August 12, 2022. The foreign exchange reserves of the country have recorded at $13.613 billion by week ended August 12, 2022 as compared with $13.561 billion a week ago i.e. August 05, 2022.

    The country’s foreign exchange reserves hit all-time high of $27.228 billion on August 27, 2021. Since then the foreign exchange reserves have declined by $13.615 billion.

    The official foreign exchange reserves of the State Bank witnessed an increase of $67 million to $7.897 billion by week ended August 12, 2022 as compared with $7.83 billion a week ago.

    READ MORE: 15% surcharge imposed for clearance of banned items

    The foreign exchange reserves held by the central bank witnessed a record high at $20.146 billion by week ended August 27, 2021. Since then the official reserves of the SBP declined by $12.249 billion.

    The country has taken the decision in order to fulfil the condition of International Monetary Fund (IMF) to get loans.

    Addressing a press conference a day earlier alongside members of the government’s economic team, Miftah Ismail said that the import ban on non-luxury items was placed in line with the IMF’s demands.

    Miftah said that after much back-and-forth, the IMF has finally announced that its board meeting will take place on August 29 — for considering Pakistan’s request for the release of the $1.17 billion tranche.

    The finance minister noted that the government has also fulfilled all the pre-requisites of the lender, while the funding gap of $4 billion has also been met — after friendly countries agreed to help Pakistan financially.

    He said that after the import ban, it became easier for the government to import necessary commodities, which were essential for the masses. “When we have limited dollars and we have to feed a huge population, our priority automatically becomes [the nation]. We had to choose between importing cars and wheat — that’s why we imposed a ban.”

    READ MORE: Pakistan allows release of banned items stuck up at ports

    The finance minister said the government was scrapping the import ban as it was an international requirement, but noted that the regulatory duty that will be imposed on the non-essential imported items will be three times higher than the current levels.

  • Pakistan’s forex reserves increase by $52 million

    Pakistan’s forex reserves increase by $52 million

    KARACHI: Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves have increased by $52 million by week ended August 12, 2022, State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) said on Thursday.

    The foreign exchange reserves of the country have recorded at $13.613 billion by week ended August 12, 2022 as compared with $13.561 billion a week ago i.e. August 05, 2022.

    READ MORE: Pakistan’s reserves plunge 43-month low to $13.56 billion

    The country’s foreign exchange reserves hit all-time high of $27.228 billion on August 27, 2021. Since then the foreign exchange reserves have declined by $13.615 billion.

    The official foreign exchange reserves of the State Bank witnessed an increase of $67 million to $7.897 billion by week ended August 12, 2022 as compared with $7.83 billion a week ago.

    READ MORE: Pakistan’s foreign reserves dip to $14.21 billion

    The foreign exchange reserves held by the central bank witnessed a record high at $20.146 billion by week ended August 27, 2021. Since then the official reserves of the SBP declined by $12.249 billion.

    The country is hoping to receive a $1.17 billion tranche under Extended Fund Facility (EFF) from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). This will help Pakistan to boost its foreign exchange reserves.

    READ MORE: Pakistan forex reserves deplete to $14.42 billion

    A meeting of IMF executive board is likely by month-end to approve the tranche for the country.

    However, foreign exchange reserves held by commercial banks slipped by $15 million to $5.716 billion by week ended August 12, 2022 when compared with $5.731 billion a week ago.

    READ MORE: Pakistan’s forex reserves decline to $15.24 billion

  • Miftah presents key points for Pakistan growth

    Miftah presents key points for Pakistan growth

    ISLAMABAD: Dr. Miftah Ismail, minister for finance and revenue, has presented four points for taking Pakistan on path of growth and prosperity.

    The Finance Minister Dr. Miftah Ismail alongwith the Federal Minister for Climate Change Sherry Rehman attended the 5th edition titled “Imagineering The Future” as chief guest. The Finance Minister unveiled 4 point agenda to put Pakistan on path of prosperity.

    The Summit is jointly hosted by Nutshell Group and Martin Dow, in strategic partnership with Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce & Industry (OICCI).

    Miftah Ismail stated: “The government is considering to promote exports of the country at an aggressive level through an incentive of significant tax waiver to companies which could enhance their exports by 10 per cent of its productions.’’

    He said that the government will provide full support to companies having plans for exporting their products to different countries because it is a daunting task that must be taken as a challenge.

    Various business groups in Pakistan are performing outstandingly and contributing to the national economy through taxes and different ways but they spend $200 million on imports every year which needs to be addressed by enhancing our exports.

    He further said, ‘’If you make something, sell it abroad, if you build, go construct abroad, if you offer a service, offer it abroad. The nation should set the direction to the promotion of exports.’’

    Businesses in Pakistan should think beyond the local market to explore foreign markets to enhance their exports through aggressive value-addition.

    Containing the expenses in imports can stabilize the budget deficit including the trade deficit and current account deficit in tandem.

    The government may not enhance the export overnight but it did control imports of non-essential goods which impacted inflows of foreign exchange to the tune of $700-800 million in the interbank market in the last few months while the country also paid its scheduled debt-servicing in the first week of August.

    Federal Minister for Climate Change Senator Sherry Rahman spoke about the urgency of required action to combat climate change.

    She said climate change is a matter of national security which have affected adversely food and energy security, supply chain, infrastructure, and precious lives of the citizens across the country.

    One-fifth of Pakistan is submerged at present due to heavy monsoon rains which have wreaked havoc on the infrastructure in many parts of the country especially Balochistan and Sindh.

    Pakistan is at the front of climate change and we would like all corporates to interweave sustainability goals in their mission statements.

    She said that greenwashing has to end and genuine efforts have to be made. She also mentioned that they are trying to move the markers for 2050 down to 2030 as climate change is accelerating and our pace needs to match it.

  • Miftah defends petrol price hike in Pakistan from August 16, 2022

    Miftah defends petrol price hike in Pakistan from August 16, 2022

    ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Dr. Miftah Ismail on Tuesday defended the government decision to increase the prices of petrol that are implemented from August 16, 2022

    A day earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved the summary to increase the price of petrol with nominal decline in other petroleum products.

    READ MORE: New petroleum prices in Pakistan from August 16, 2022

    The government announced a significant increase of Rs6.72 per liter in price of petrol to Rs233.91 from Rs227.19 effective from August 16, 2022.

    The rate of high speed diesel (HSD) has been nominally reduced by 51 paisas to Rs244.44 from Rs244.95. The price of kerosene oil has been decreased by Rs1.67 to Rs199.40 from Rs201.07. The rate of light diesel oil (LDO) has been nominally enhanced by 43 paisas to Rs191.75 from Rs191.32.

    The people of Pakistan were expecting a significant decline in petroleum prices in the wake of sharp decline in international oil prices and massive recovery in rupee value against the dollar during the month of August 2022.

    READ MORE: New petroleum prices in Pakistan from August 1, 2022

    All the quarters have strongly criticized the government for increase price of petrol. The criticism was also came from coalition partners of the present government.

    However, Miftah Ismail through Tweet presented a brief explanation on how petrol and diesel prices are set in Pakistan.

    Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) takes the average of petroleum prices, adds freight and premium paid by Pakistan State Oil (PSO) on top of these prices, and multiplies that by the exchange rate.

    READ MORE: New petroleum prices in Pakistan from July 15, 2022

    In addition it also “trues up” the previous fortnight’s cost by taking into account the rupees paid by PSO at the actual exchange rate as opposed to the average used to estimate the previous fortnight’s cost.

    “We have not added any new tax or levy to the price. The price of petrol has gone up (and diesel has gone down) because the cost paid by PSO in the previous fortnight was more than the cost estimated by OGRA and also because the premium paid by PSO on petrol increased and premium paid on diesel remained unchanged,” Miftah Ismail said.

    “Again, not one paisa of new taxes or levies was added,” he repeated.

    READ MORE: New prices of petroleum products in Pakistan from July 01, 2022