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  • Pakistan’s headline inflation hits 47-year high in August 2022

    Pakistan’s headline inflation hits 47-year high in August 2022

    ISLAMABAD: The headline inflation in Pakistan has recorded 47-year at 27.3 per cent in August 2022. This is a 47-Year high after 1975 and has crossed peak levels of global financial crisis 2008 of 25.3 per cent, according to Fahad Rauf, analyst at Ismail Iqbal Securities.

    Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) on Thursday issued the data of Consumer Price Index (CPI) stating that it increased by 27.3 per cent on year-on-year basis in August 2022 as compared to an increase of 24.9 per cent in the previous month and 8.4 per cent in Aug 2021.

    READ MORE: Pakistan’s sensitive price inflation surges by 45%

    On month-on-month basis, it increased by 2.4 per cent in August 2022 as compared to an increase of 4.3 per cent in the previous month and an increase of 0.6 per cent in August 2021.

    CPI inflation Urban, increased by 26.2 per cent on year-on-year basis in August 2022 as compared to an increase of 23.6 per cent in the previous month and 8.3 per cent in August 2021.

    On month-on-month basis, it increased by 2.6 per cent in August 2022 as compared to an increase of 4.5 per cent in the previous month and an increase of 0.5 per cent in August 2021.

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

    CPI inflation Rural, increased by 28.8 per cent on year-on-year basis in August 2022 as compared to an increase of 26.9 per cent in the previous month and 8.4 per cent in August 2021.

    On month-on-month basis, it increased by 2.2 per cent in August 2022 as compared to an increase of 4.2 per cent in the previous month and an increase of 0.7 per cent in August 2021.

    Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) based inflation on YoY increased by 34.0 per cent in August 2022 as compared to an increase of 28.2 per cent a month earlier and an increase of 15.9 per cent in August 2021.

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

    On MoM basis, it increased by 5.2 per cent in August 2022 as compared to increase of 7.3 per cent a month earlier and an increase of 0.7 per cent in August 2021.

    Wholesale Price Index (WPI) based inflation on YoY basis increased by 41.2 per cent in August 2022 as compared to an increase of 38.5 per cent a month earlier and an increase of 17.1 per cent in August 2021.

    WPI inflation on MoM basis increased by 3.1 per cent in August 2022 as compared to an increase of 2.0 per cent a month earlier and an increase of 1.2 per cent in corresponding month i.e. August 2021.

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

  • Pakistan allows tax exemption on tomato, onion imports

    Pakistan allows tax exemption on tomato, onion imports

    ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Wednesday granted exemption of income tax and sales tax on imports of tomato and onion during next four months.

    In this regard, the Federal Board issued notifications in this regard. The FBR issue SRO 1639(I)/2022 to allow withholding income tax exemption on import of tomato and onion imported till December 31, 2022.

    READ MORE: FBR collects Rs948 billion as tax revenue during 2MFY23

    Similarly, another SRO 1640(I)/2022 was issued to allow sales tax exemption on import of tomato and onion during September – December 2022.

    Previously, on August 30, 2022, in a meeting at the Ministry of National Food Security and Research (MNFSR), it was decided that the Ministry will issue import permits of onion and tomatoes within 24 hours.

    The Ministry has also proposed to FBR to waive-off taxes and levies on import of onion and tomatoes.

    It is expected that this will be made effective on immediate basis. These steps are taken to ensure a supply of the essential commodity in the market and to stabilize the prices.

    READ MORE: FBR announces tax exemptions for flood relief operation

    According to the details, the importers will be allowed to import onion and tomatoes.

    Ministry of National Food and Security has directed the Department of Plant Protection (DPP) to facilitate the import and ensure that there are no hindrances for importers.

    MNFSR has taken on-board all the stakeholders with an aim to ensure a supply of the essential commodities to the consumers.

    Furthermore, a contact group to facilitate imports is created, where importers will be able to share their problems. While a team at Ministry of National Food Security will monitor the situation and will take necessary action for redressal.

    READ MORE: KTBA demands suspending further tax due to practical issues

    Ministry of National Food Security and Research has taken the above decisions to ensure that onion and tomatoes are available in the market at reasonable rates to the consumers.

    Pakistan Embassies in Iran, Afghanistan, UAE and other countries have been requested to assist imports. Ministry of National Food Security and Research, with stakeholders, will continue to take necessary steps to ensure food security in the country in the times when crops have been heavily damaged because of recent floods and rains.

    READ MORE: FBR gets 3.38 million active taxpayers by August 28, 2022

  • Pakistan receives $1.16 billion from IMF

    Pakistan receives $1.16 billion from IMF

    KARACHI: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Wednesday received $1.16 billion from International Monetary Fund (IMF) under Extended Fund Facility.

    SBP in a Tweet said that it had received proceeds of $1.16 billion (equivalent of SDR 894 million) after the IMF Executive Board completed the combined seventh and Eight review under the EFF for Pakistan.

    READ MORE: IMF board allows $1.1 billion disbursement for Pakistan

    “This will help improve SBP’s foreign exchange reserves and will also facilitate realization of other planned inflows from multilateral and bilateral sources,” according to the Tweet.

    Earlier, on August 29, 2022 the executive board of the IMF completed the combined seventh and eighth reviews of the Extended Arrangement under the EFF for Pakistan.

    READ MORE: Pakistan may face food security due to flash floods

    The Board’s decision allows for an immediate disbursement of SDR 894 million (about $1.1 billion), bringing total purchases for budget support under the arrangement to about $3.9 billion.

    The EFF was approved by the Executive Board on July 3, 2019 for SDR 4,268 million (about $6 billion at the time of approval, or 210 percent of quota).

    READ MORE: SBP issues IBAN list for donations to PM flood relief fund

    In order to support program implementation and meet the higher financing needs in FY23, as well as catalyze additional financing, the IMF Board approved an extension of the EFF until end-June 2023, rephasing and augmentation of access by SDR 720 million that will bring the total access under the EFF to about $6.5 billion.

    READ MORE: Flash floods affect internet services in Pakistan

  • IMF board allows $1.1 billion disbursement for Pakistan

    IMF board allows $1.1 billion disbursement for Pakistan

    Washington, DC: Pakistan will get around $1.1 billion from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) after its executive board on Monday allowed immediate disbursement.

    The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) completed today the combined seventh and eighth reviews of the Extended Arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) for Pakistan. The Board’s decision allows for an immediate disbursement of SDR 894 million (about $1.1 billion), bringing total purchases for budget support under the arrangement to about $3.9 billion.

    READ MORE: Pakistan may face food security due to flash floods

    The EFF was approved by the Executive Board on July 3, 2019 for SDR 4,268 million (about $6 billion at the time of approval, or 210 percent of quota). In order to support program implementation and meet the higher financing needs in FY23, as well as catalyze additional financing, the IMF Board approved an extension of the EFF until end-June 2023, rephasing and augmentation of access by SDR 720 million that will bring the total access under the EFF to about $6.5 billion.

    Pakistan is at a challenging economic juncture. A difficult external environment combined with procyclical domestic policies fueled domestic demand to unsustainable levels. The resultant economic overheating led to large fiscal and external deficits in FY22, contributed to rising inflation, and eroded reserve buffers. The program seeks to address domestic and external imbalances, and ensure fiscal discipline and debt sustainability while protecting social spending, safeguarding monetary and financial stability, and maintaining a market-determined exchange rate and rebuilding external buffers.

    The Executive Board also approved today the authorities’ request for waivers of nonobservance of performance criteria.

    READ MORE: SBP issues IBAN list for donations to PM flood relief fund

    Following the Executive Board’s discussion on Pakistan, Ms. Antoinette Sayeh, Deputy Managing Director and Acting Chair, issued the following statement:

    “Pakistan’s economy has been buffeted by adverse external conditions, due to spillovers from the war in Ukraine, and domestic challenges, including from accommodative policies that resulted in uneven and unbalanced growth. Steadfast implementation of corrective policies and reforms remain essential to regain macroeconomic stability, address imbalances and lay the foundation for inclusive and sustainable growth.

    “The authorities’ plan to achieve a small primary surplus in FY2023 is a welcome step to reduce fiscal and external pressures and build confidence. Containing current spending and mobilizing tax revenues are critical to create space for much-needed social protection and strengthen public debt sustainability. Efforts to strengthen the viability of the energy sector and reduce unsustainable losses, including by adhering to the scheduled increases in fuel levies and energy tariffs, are also essential. Further efforts to reduce poverty and protect the most vulnerable by enhancing targeted transfers are important, especially in the current high-inflation environment.

    READ MORE: Flash floods affect internet services in Pakistan

    “The tightening of monetary conditions through higher policy rates was a necessary step to contain inflation. Going forward, continued tight monetary policy would help to reduce inflation and help address external imbalances. Maintaining proactive and data-driven monetary policy would support these objectives. At the same time, close oversight of the banking system and decisive action to address undercapitalized financial institutions would help to support financial stability. Preserving a market-determined exchange rate remains crucial to absorb external shocks, maintain competitiveness, and rebuild international reserves.

    “Accelerating structural reforms to strengthen governance, including of state-owned enterprises, and improve the business environment would support sustainable growth. Reforms that create a fair-and-level playing field for business, investment, and trade necessary for job creation and the development of a strong private sector are essential.”

  • Pakistan may face food security due to flash floods

    Pakistan may face food security due to flash floods

    ISLAMABAD: The flash floods in Pakistan may create a situation of food security in coming days as rice, banana, onion and other agriculture produces have been badly affected.

    Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal Monday said that the recent floods and torrential rains have also damaged 40-50 percent cotton crop across the country.

    He said Pakistan is witnessing more devastation than that caused by the flood in 2010.

    READ MORE: SBP issues IBAN list for donations to PM flood relief fund

    The minister informed that 0.9 million livestock and one million houses have been washed away in the recent floods while over 1000 people lost their lives.

    The Minister made these remarks while speaking at the event titled, “an overview and findings of the Rural Poor Stimulus Facility (RPSF) – Waseel-e-Khurak, pilot project” that was organized by the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) in collaboration with Ministry of Planning Development & Special Initiatives.

    In 2013, he said when the PML-N government took the charge, the country had already faced devastated floods in 2010 and it launched the fourth phase of Pakistan flood protection programme to minimize the impacts of such floods.

    “In May 2017, we got approved the Programme from Council of Common Interest duly signed by all the provinces and it was agreed that new infrastructure would be built under the programme”, he added.

    He said it was also agreed that Rs 177 billion would be spent under the Programme and the provinces would contribute half of the amount.

    READ MORE: Flash floods affect internet services in Pakistan

    However, he said despite completing the final roadmap to spend Rs 177 billion under the programme, the next PTI government dumped this programme in the cold storage and not a single rupee was spent on this programme.

    Had we spent Rs 177 billion under the programme, the loss would be far less than what we are facing now, he added.
    Ahsan Iqbal said a big challenge is ahead as the 30 million people have been affected and the government have to help them standing on their feet.

    He expressed his resolve that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the government would complete the rehabilitation process of the flood hit areas.

  • Pakistan fixes amount of diyat for 2022/2023

    Pakistan fixes amount of diyat for 2022/2023

    Pakistan has fixed the amount of diyat (compensation) at Rs4.32 million for the fiscal year 2022/2023 to be the value of thirty thousand six hundred and thirty (30,630) grams of silver.

    The finance ministry issued a circular to declare the amount of diyat on August 26, 2022.

    Diyat is the financial compensation paid to the victim or heirs of a victim. The compensation may be paid in the cases of murder, bodily harm or property damage.

    READ MORE: Cellular mobile operators provide free calls in Pakistan

    Pakistan Penal Code has defined “diyat” as the compensation specified in Section 323 payable to the heirs of the victim.

    Section 323 of the Pakistan Penal Code notified the value of diyat as:

    (1) The Court shall, subject to the Injunctions of Islam as laid down in the Holy Qur’an and Sunnah and keeping in view the financial position of the convict and the heirs of the victim, fix the value of diyat which shall not be less than the value of thirty thousand six hundred and thirty grams of silver.

    (2) For the purpose of sub-section (1), the Federal Government shall, by notification in the official Gazette, declare the value of Silver, on the first day of July each year or on such date as it may deem fit, which shall be the value payable during a financial year.

    Diyat is one of the modes of punishment under Section 53 of the Pakistan Penal Code.

    READ MORE: SBP issues IBAN list for donations to PM flood relief fund

    Section 53: The punishments to which offenders are liable under the provisions of this Code are:

    Firstly, Qisas;

    Secondly, Diyat;

    Thirdly, Arsh;

    Fourthly, Daman;

    Fifthly, Ta’zir;

    Sixthly, Death;

    Seventhly, Imprisonment for life;

    Eighthly, Imprisonment which is of two descriptions, namely:–

    (i) Rigorous, i.e., with hard labour;

    (ii) Simple;

    Ninthly, Forfeiture of property;

    Tenthly, Fine

    Under Pakistan Penal Code where qisas is not enforceable then the offender is liable to pay diyat.

    READ MORE: SBP issues IBAN list for donations to PM flood relief fund

    Section 308. Punishment in qatl-i-amd not liable to qisas, etc.:

    (1) Where an offender guilty of qatl-i-amd is not liable to qisas under Section 306 or the gisas is not enforceable under clause (c) of Section 307, he shall be liable to diyat:

    Provided that, where the offender is minor or insane, diyat shall be payable either from his property or, by such person as may be determined by the Court:

    Provided further that where at the time of committing qatl-i-amd the offender being a minor, had attained sufficient maturity of being insane, had a lucid interval, so as to be able to realize the consequences of his act, he may also be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to twenty-five years as ta’zir.

    READ MORE: SBP opens account for Balochistan Flood Relief, Rehabilitation Fund

    Provided further that, where the qisas is not enforceable under clause (c) of Section 307, the offender shall be liable to diyat only if there is any wali other than offender and if there is no wali other than the offender, he shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to twenty-five years as ta’zir.

    (2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (i), the Court, having regard to the facts and circumstances of the case in addition to the punishment of diyat, may punish the offender with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to twenty-five years, as ta’zir.

  • 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.