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  • Petroleum prices in Pakistan for next fortnight effective from November 16, 2022

    Petroleum prices in Pakistan for next fortnight effective from November 16, 2022

    ISLAMABAD: The government of Pakistan on Tuesday decided to keep the petroleum prices unchanged for next fortnight starting from November 16, 2022.

    It was third straight announcement to keep the prices of petroleum products unchanged. Previously, on September 30, 2022 following changes in petroleum prices were announced:

    The rate of petrol has been reduced by Rs12.63 per liter to Rs224.80 from Rs237.43.

    READ MORE: Petroleum prices in Pakistan effective from November 01, 2022

    The price of high speed diesel has been cut by 12.13 per liter to Rs235.30 from Rs247.43.

    The rate of Kerosene oil has been slashed by Rs10.19 to Rs191.83 from Rs202.02.

    The price of light diesel oil has been reduced by Rs10.78 to Rs186.50 from Rs197.28.

    The government has taken the latest decision amid challenges including long march initiated by leading opposition party and rising benchmark Brent crude rates in international markets.

    The present coalition government led by PML-N is under immense pressure since coming into power in April 2022. This government is mainly criticized for sky rocket prices of all essential items bringing inflation to record levels. The present government had opportunity to attract masses by lowering petroleum prices.

    READ MORE: Pakistan keeps petroleum prices unchanged from October 16, 2022

    On the other hand, Imran Khan, Chairman, Pakistan Tehreek I Insaaf (PTI) launched long march on October 28, 2022 from Lahore demanded the present government to announce general election as the country on the brink of default and masses were witnessing the brunt of high prices.

    The present government has annoyed people through its last decision to keep the prices of petroleum products unchanged. Experts had opinion that the government had room to give benefit by slashing the prices.

    Pakistan is the net importer of petroleum products to meet the domestic demands. Oil import bill of the country went up to $4.86 billion during first quarter (July – September) of the current fiscal year as compared with $4.59 billion in the corresponding quarter of the last year.

    READ MORE: Pakistan sharply reduces petroleum prices from October 01, 2022

    On the other hand the rupee once against started depreciation due to political instability and falling foreign exchange reserves. Although, the SBP recently received $1.17 billion from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to buffer its foreign exchange reserves and support the local currency. Yet the scheduled repayment gradually dry to foreign exchange reserves position.

    Most recently, the SBP again received $1.5 billion from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to strengthen the foreign exchange reserves position. However, the repayment pressure and rising political noise the rupee unable to show resistance against the dollar.

    The previous government of PTI had kept both the petroleum levy and sales tax at zero in order to provide relief to the masses. The PTI government also provided a huge subsidy on prices of petroleum products in order to lower the rates and provide relief to the masses.

    READ MORE: Pakistan reviews petroleum prices on Sept 30, 2022 amid crash in global rates

    However, former Prime Minister Imran Khan was removed through a vote of no-confidence motion on April 10, 2022. Since then the new coalition government led by PML-N increased the prices of petroleum products sharply on three different occasions.

    The present government in the budget estimated to collect Rs855 billion as petroleum levy during the fiscal year 2022/2023. As this fiscal year is starting from July 01, 2022, it is likely that the government will opt to impose the levy from this date.

  • FBR halts POS prize scheme

    FBR halts POS prize scheme

    ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Tuesday halted the issuance of prizes through computerized balloting of invoices issued by point of sale (POS) of Tier-1 retailers.

    The FBR suspended the draw that was to be held on November 15, 2022. The prize scheme was continuously held since its first draw on January 15, 2022. The FBR conducted 10 draw on 15th of every month.

    READ MORE: FBR announces prize winners of 10th POS balloting

    The FBR issued SRO No. 2042(I)/2022 to suspend the SRO 1005 of 2021 regarding POS Prize Scheme.

    The prize scheme has been suspended till January 31, 2023 to make it more inclusive and participatory for the public. All invoices verified during intervening period will be included in the next prize draw.

    “The new scheme will be launched after discussions with Tier-1 retailers, card acquirers, issuers, and other stakeholders. A new scheme would be launched very soon,” the FBR added.

    Under the suspended scheme, the FBR had encouraged people to actively participate in the balloting to win prizes after buying from POS integrated retailers.

    READ MORE: FTO directs stop unlawful recovery from taxpayers’ bank accounts

    The FBR previously issued a procedure for participating in the prize scheme.

    The revenue body said that the customers of the integrated tier-1 retailers, whose names and CNICs are notified through random computerized draw shall be entitled to prizes in respect of their purchases from the integrated tier-1 retailers.

    The customers shall verify the electronically generated invoice of integrated retailers either through the “tax asaan” application or by sending SMS to number 9966.

    The application shall notify the customer regarding the status of the invoice either as “verified” or “unverified”.

    In case of a verified invoice, the customer shall furnish one time, the following detail to the online system, namely:- Name; CNIC; and Mobile number.

    READ MORE: FBR collects Rs196 billion as income tax from salaried class

    Names and CNICs of the customers shall be included in the random computerized draw upon fulfillment of the requirement.

    In case of an unverified invoice, the customer shall report the same through the system. The Board shall conduct inquiry and take appropriate action under the relevant provisions of law.

    The computerized draw for the prizes shall be held in the first week of every month at the FBR Headquarters and the invoices of the immediately preceding month shall be entered in the draw.

    READ MORE: WHT share in direct taxes jumps to 67% despite omitting provisions

    Draw winners shall be required to perform biometric verification, at the nearest e-sahulat facility of NADRA and submit a scanned copy on the “tax assan” application. After successful biometric verification, winners shall be required to provide their IBAN through a “tax asaan” application.

    The total prize money and the denomination of the prizes shall be decided on month to month basis by the Board.

  • Pakistan petroleum prices to go up with sales tax imposition

    Pakistan petroleum prices to go up with sales tax imposition

    The prices of petroleum products in Pakistan will go up with the imposition of sales tax, which presently at zero per cent.

    Analysts AKD Research Tuesday stated that with the IMF consistently conveying concerns over possible shortfall on account of petroleum development levy (PDL), the government is looking towards a contingency plan by taking up additional taxation measures, for one, imposing full 17 per cent general sales tax (GST) on petroleum products.

    READ MORE: SSGC stops gas supply to industries under load management plan

    To note, sales tax collection from the previous fiscal year stood Rs107 billion, against Rs235 billion in the preceding fiscal year, reflecting a decrease of 54 per cent.

    With petroleum products sales remaining robust during fiscal year 2021-2022, the halving of the collection was due to sales tax being effectively zero during the second half of the fiscal year, since mid-January more specifically.

    READ MORE: Pakistan has sufficient stock of fuel to meet domestic demand

    Assuming moderate 8 per cent imposition (Rs16-20 per liter) of sales tax on retail fuel products, the government could fetch additional around Rs30 billion revenue monthly at these rates.

    Furthermore, the government is likely to take a major hit in the non-tax revenue department as well i.e. PDL as retail offtakes have continued to decline during first four months of the current fiscal year, down 22 per cent year on year (YoY).

    READ MORE: ECC approves raising petroleum levy to Rs50 per liter on RON 95

    Total collection during the four months were estimated at Rs115 billion against the budgeted target of Rs250 billion. To note, annual PDL collection target stands at Rs750 billion (Rs62.5 billion per month).

    Assuming unchanged trends in POL offtakes and similar rates, total PDL collections will end the current fiscal year at Rs350 billion, an overall shortfall of Rs400 billion.

    READ MORE: Petroleum sales decrease by 22% in four months of 2022-2023

    The analysts further said that assuming the government pushes through by imposing further levies/taxes, although inflationary, this target may be more achievable now compared to five months ago, as falling global oil/petroleum prices has given the authorities more space to work with without severely hurting end consumers.

  • SSGC stops gas supply to industries under load management plan

    SSGC stops gas supply to industries under load management plan

    KARACHI: Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) on Tuesday suspended gas to local industries for three and a half months effective from November 15, 2022.

    The gas utility in an announcement stated that as part of load management plan, gas supplies to all local industrial customers for their use for power generation are being suspended for three and a half months i.e. from November 15, 2022 to February 28, 2023.

    READ MORE: Pakistan has sufficient stock of fuel to meet domestic demand

    Moreover, 50 per cent reduction in supplies of export industrial units for their power generation shall also be carried out for the same period.

    The SSGC said that the decision had been taken in view of the widening demand and supply gas especially with arrival of winter.

    SSGC implements government of Pakistan’s gas load management plan whereby it gives top most priority to the domestic and commercial sector for supplying gas, especially those living in Balochistan where demand for gas increases manifolds due to space and water heating needs.

    READ MORE: ECC approves raising petroleum levy to Rs50 per liter on RON 95

    “This situation is further compounded by the fact that gas reserves are being fast depleted at an annual rate of 10 per cent that further places pressure on the company’s line pack system,” it added.

    The company said that these closure are in line with the contract already signed between SSGC and each individual industrial consumer that clearly states:

    READ MORE: Petroleum sales decrease by 22% in four months of 2022-2023

    “Gas supply will be provided by the company on ‘as and when available basis’ only during the period from March to November each year. The consumer will make dual firing arrangements to avoid loss of production as and when gas is not available during March to November and also during December to February when the company will keep the consumer’s gas supply disconnected at his cost, each year.”

    READ MORE: K-Electric posts huge losses despite 144% jump in tariff adjustment revenue

    The company further said that gas volume curtailed from this management would be diverted to domestic customers for them to cater their enhanced gas loads in context of the winter season.

    “Gas thus saved approximately 160 mmcfd gas thus saved will then be diverted to Balochistan where gas serves as lifeline for the majority of the population.”

  • Pakistan car sales increase 21 pc in October 2022

    Pakistan car sales increase 21 pc in October 2022

    KARACHI: Sales of domestically manufactured cars in Pakistan have increased by 21 per cent Month on Month (MoM) in October 2022.

    Pakistan Automotive Manufacturing Association (PAMA) has released the sales and production data for the month of October 2022, where car sales witnessed an increase of 21 per cent MoM in October 2022 to clocked in at 11,129 units.

    READ MORE: Pakistan car sales plunge 50% in 1QFY23

    Analysts at Insight Securities said that the rise in sales is mainly due to improved stock levels which led to a partial resumption of production activities.

    To highlight, companies were facing higher Non Production Days (NPD) in September 2022 due to import restrictions on CKD parts.

    During first four months (July – October) of the fiscal year 2022-2023, cumulative passenger car sales during the period plunged by 47 per cent YoY, to clock in at 39.7k units due to supply constraints and economic slowdown resulting in subdued demand.

    READ MORE: Pakistan car sales plummet by 50% on import restriction

    Trucks & buses sales declined by 14 per cent MoM to clocked in at 326 units in October 2022. Cumulatively on 4MFY23 basis, truck & buses sales fell by 40 per cent YoY. Jeeps/SUVs and pickups sales soared by 22 per cent MoM to reach at 2.2k units.

    Whereas, on 4MFY23 basis, Jeeps/SUVs & pickups are fell by 45 per cent due to aforementioned reasons. Tractors sales went down by 12 per cent MoM due to fragile agriculture demand.

    Company wise, PSMC sales improved by 33 per cent MoM in October 2022 primarily due to upbeat demand of hatchback segment driven by better fuel economy and affordability.

    Alto remained the top contributor, led by increase in sales of 76 per cent, followed by Cultus and Ravi, up by 50 per cent and 38 per cent, respectively.

    READ MORE: Pakistan car sales drop 59% in July 2022

    Similarly, INDU sales grew by 29 per cent MoM to clocked in at 3.4k units, compared to ~2.6k units in September 2022. Wherein major contributor are Fortuner & Hilux, up by 84 per cent.

    HCAR sales went up by 11 per cent MoM to clocked in at 1.4k units in October 2022 . Wherein major contributors are Civic & City, up by 14 per cent.

    Hyundai volumetric sales posted a decline of 50 per cent MoM to clock in at 0.5k units.

    MTL volumes witnessed an increase of 2.35x MoM to stand at ~1.5k units whereas AGTL sales declined by 74  per cent MoM to clock in at ~0.4k units.

    READ MORE: Pakistan car sales surge 54 per cent in FY22

    The analysts believe that the automobile industry will remain under pressure on both supply and demand front amid tough business environment, sky-rocketing inflation and higher financing rates further exacerbated by shortage of CKD kits.

    Moreover, despite multiple price hikes, gross margins are likely to stay depressed amid continuous pressure on PKR against USD.

    Meanwhile, ongoing floods are expected to wipe out 30 per cent-40 per cent of auto demand from rural area. Thus, we have an underweight stance on automobile industry.

  • Direct tax collection up 41% in four months of current fiscal year: FBR

    Direct tax collection up 41% in four months of current fiscal year: FBR

    Direct tax collection registered an increase of 41 per cent during first four months (July – October) 2022-2023, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) said on Saturday.

    The FBR strongly rebutted the news report regarding income tax collection. It clarified that the present policy of FBR and the Federal government is also based on direct tax dominated system i.e. the principle of equity where tax contribution is proportional to “ability to pay”.

    READ MORE: What income is taxable in Pakistan?

    As a result, direct taxes collection continue to register steady growth and during the first four months of the current year direct taxes/income tax have risen to Rs886 billion which is 41 per cent higher than the direct tax inflows during the same period last year.

    It is also mentioned that there is a shift in the tax mix and the ratio of direct tax to indirect tax is also increasing. Resultantly, during first four months of the current year, percentage contribution of direct taxes in overall revenue has increased to more than 41 per cent for the first time in a decade, as against 36-39 per cent in the past few years as has also been quoted by the authors.

    READ MORE: FBR, SBP discuss stuck-up consignments, LC opening

    Although, FBR does not agree with the notion that withholding taxes are collected in indirect mode, FBR, during the last few years, has adopted the policy of reducing withholding tax provisions and introducing measures which directly target the rich.

    Even, during the current year’s budget, maximum amendments were introduced regarding direct taxes. These amendments were aimed at taxing affluent and wealthy class by including provisions such as super tax, CVT on foreign assets, deemed rental income on the assets of the rich and higher rates for companies earning high profits such as banks.

    READ MORE: World Bank satisfied with progress of Pakistan Raises Revenue Program

    These provisions alone have a revenue impact of approximately Rs250 billion. At the same time certain withholding tax provisions were eliminated and consequently, the percentage contribution of withholding taxes in direct taxes has also been reduced to 65.8 per cent during first four months from 67.15 per cent during corresponding period of the previous year.

    Authors have also pointed out towards declining tax-to-GDP ratio. Although, tax-to-GDP ratio is lower than what is desired, it is clarified that the current ratio is due to rebasing of GDP from 2005-06 figures to 2015-16 figures, thus adversely impacting it.

    READ MORE: FBR Member PR holds meetings to create return filing awareness

    With base year 2005-06, tax-to-GDP ratio would have been higher by at least 2 percentage points. To further improve the ratio, FBR is continuously striving to increase the tax base with the help of IT/automation and third party data.

    In this regard Directorate General of Broadening of Tax Base was made functional during last month along with establishment of Directorate General of Digital Invoicing and Analysis.

  • President Alvi calls for increasing tax-to-GDP ratio

    President Alvi calls for increasing tax-to-GDP ratio

    Lahore: President Dr. Arif Alvi emphasized the imperative for Pakistan to bolster its tax collection mechanisms and elevate the tax-to-GDP ratio as a strategic approach to address persistent financial challenges.

    (more…)
  • FBR, SBP discuss stuck-up consignments, LC opening

    FBR, SBP discuss stuck-up consignments, LC opening

    Islamabad: In a collaborative effort to address challenges related to stuck-up consignments and the opening of Letters of Credit (LCs), the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) engaged in discussions on Friday.

    (more…)
  • Pakistan remittances decline by 15.7% in October 2022

    Pakistan remittances decline by 15.7% in October 2022

    KARACHI: Inflow of workers remittances has declined by 15.7 per cent in the month of October 2022 when compared with the same month of the last year, according to data released by State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Friday.

    READ MORE: Home remittances decline to $7.68 billion in 1QFY23

    The inflows of home remittances fell to $2.215 billion in October 2022 when compared with $2.628 billion in the same month of the last year.

    The remittances in October 2022 also witnessed a fall of 9 per cent when compared with $2.437 billion received during the month of September 2022.

    READ MORE: Pakistan remittances from Saudi Arabia fall by 7.5% in two months

    Remittances inflows during October 2022 were mainly sourced from Saudi Arabia ($570.5 million), the United Arab Emirates ($427 million), the United Kingdom ($278.8 million) and the United States of America ($253.1 million).

    The cumulative inflow declined by 8.6 per cent to $9.9 billion during first four months of the current fiscal year.

    READ MORE: State Bank signs deal to analyze property prices

    The inflow of remittances has been recorded at $9.9 billion during July – October of current fiscal year 2022/2023 as compared with $10.83 billion in the corresponding period of the last fiscal year.

    READ MORE: SBP bars banks from taking service charges on flood donations

  • PKR slips to dollar as foreign exchange reserves fall sharply

    PKR slips to dollar as foreign exchange reserves fall sharply

    KARACHI: Pakistani Rupee (PKR) slipped against the US dollar on Friday owing to massive decline in foreign exchange reserves of the country.

    The exchange rate witnessed a decline of 22 paisas in rupee value to end at PKR 221.64 to the dollar from previous day’s closing of PKR 221.42 in interbank foreign exchange market.

    READ MORE: Rupee makes recovery as limit imposed on dollar cash movement

    Currency experts said that the devaluation in rupee value came after significant decline in foreign exchange reserves was recorded.

    Pakistan foreign exchange reserves slipped sharply by $958 million by week ended November 08, 2022 owing to external payments, State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) said a day earlier.

    The foreign exchange reserves of the country have been recorded at $13.721 billion by week ended November 04, 2022 as compared with $14.679 billion a week ago i.e. October 28, 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 $13.507 billion.

    READ MORE: PKR ends stable against US dollar in interbank

    The official foreign exchange reserves of the State Bank plunged by $958 million to $7.957 billion by week ended November 04, 2022 as compared with $8.913 billion a week ago.

    The SBP attributed the decline to external debt servicing. “Major external debt repayments executed during the week includes repayment of government commercial loans. Refinancing of these loans is in process which will improve foreign exchange reserves in coming weeks,” the central bank added.

    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 dropped by $12.189 billion.

    The central bank has taken various measures to monitor outflow of the foreign currency in order to stabilize the rupee value.

    Currency experts said that the latest measures of the government to limit the cash dollar taking out of Pakistan supported the local currency to make gain.

    READ MORE: SBP limits cash up to USD 5,000 taking out of Pakistan

    On November 08, 2022, the SBP issued a circular to restrict the amount of foreign currency in cash up to equivalent to USD 5,000 from USD 10,000.

    The central bank issued a circular stating that it had reviewed the existing foreign currency cash carrying limits for travel purposes, and decided to further rationalize the same.

    As per the revised limits individuals with age 18 years and above (adults) can now take out of Pakistan foreign currency (FCY) equivalent to USD5,000 per visit, while those below the age of 18 years (minors) can carry out foreign currency equivalent to USD2,500 per visit. Further, the annual ceiling to take out FCY for adults and minors shall be USD30,000 and USD15,000, respectively.

    READ MORE: US Dollar falls by 26 paisas to PKR 221.66 in interbank market