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  • Pakistani Rupee weakens; Dollar jumps to PKR 225.42 at interbank

    Pakistani Rupee weakens; Dollar jumps to PKR 225.42 at interbank

    KARACHI: Pakistani Rupee (PKR) continued to weaken against the dollar and lost Rs2 on Thursday to end the exchange rate at Rs225.42 in interbank foreign exchange market.

    The exchange rate recorded a depreciation of Rs2 to Rs225.42 in rupee value against the dollar from previous day’s closing of Rs223.42 in the interbank foreign exchange market.

    READ MORE: Dollar strengthens to PKR 223.42 at interbank closing

    Currency experts said that the rupee was under immense pressure due to high dollar demand for import payment.

    They said that the floods played havoc to Pakistan economy. The country suffered about $10 billion losses due to the floods.

    The experts said that the high imports are l likely due to the devastation of standing crops and other human losses.

    It is pertinent to mention that the rupee fell to the record low at Rs239.94 against the dollar on July 28, 2022.

    READ MORE: Dollar continues upward journey; ends at PKR 221.42 in interbank

    The rupee made some recovery against the greenback after the IMF fund was transferred to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). However, the removal of sanction on import of luxury and non-essential items the rupee again started free fall.

    It is worth mentioning that the rupee made recovery during the last week owing to inflows of $1.16 billion from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

    The IMF executive board on August 29 approved seventh and eighth review for Pakistan and allowed transfer of $1.1 billion as tranche, which was received by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on August 31, 2022.

    The currency experts said that although the IMF inflows would help the further inflows under bilateral and multilateral sources. However, the devastation of floods has changed the economic environment scenario.

    The torrential rains and flash floods have inflicted a loss of $10 billion to Pakistan’s economy.

    The devastation will prompt the country to make imports in the coming days, especially for agriculture products.

    The rupee also fell due to continuous depletion in foreign exchange reserves of the country.

    The foreign exchange (FX) reserves of Pakistan have declined by $119 million to $13.40 billion by the week ended August 26, 2022. The foreign exchange reserves of the country were at $13.522 billion by the week ended August 19, 2022.

    READ MORE: Dollar ends up to PKR 219.86 on September 05, 2022

    The country’s foreign exchange reserves hit an all-time high of $27.228 billion on August 27, 2021. Since then the foreign exchange reserves have declined by $13.825 billion.

    The official foreign exchange reserves of the State Bank witnessed a decline of $113 million to $7.697 billion by the week ended August 26, 2022 as against $7.810 billion a week ago.

    The foreign exchange reserves held by the central bank witnessed a record high at $20.146 billion by the week ended August 27, 2021. Since then the official reserves of the SBP dropped by $12.449 billion.

    READ MORE: Dollar jumps to PKR 218.98 at interbank closing on Sept 02, 2022

    The central bank however said it had received proceeds of $1.16 billion (equivalent of SDR 894 million) from IMF under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) on August 31, 2022 which would be included in SBP’s foreign exchange reserve position for the week ending on September 02, 2022.

  • Pakistan cotton prices surge due to flood devastations

    Pakistan cotton prices surge due to flood devastations

    KARACHI: Cotton prices in Pakistan have surged sharply over the past few days because floods destroyed the cotton crop.

    According to analysts of AKD Research issued on Thursday, local cotton prices have traded up over the past month, increased by 24 per cent to Rs22,506 per 40-kg, having reached a recent high of as much as Rs24,649/40-kg on August 27, 2022.

    READ MORE: PYMA demands cotton import through land routes

    The sharp uptick in prices was driven by expectations of supply-side constraints in the cotton market in the aftermath of the floods that left one-third of the country submerged in water.

    According to latest estimates from the UN, about 3.6 million acres of crop land has been destroyed in the floods, with the majority of the devastation concentrated in Sindh (2.9 million acres affected).

    In a recent address, Finance Minister Miftah Ismail pointed towards all of the cotton crop in the province of Sindh having been damaged by the floods – indicating that about 30 per cent of the national cotton crop has been lost.

    READ MORE: Textile exporters urge allowing cotton import from India

    Resultantly, Pakistan is expected to meet the supply shortfall by importing cotton of $1.5-2 billion,

    Latest data released by Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association (PCGA) showed that cotton arrivals in the ginners were down by 0.25 million bales when compared to the same period last year, with 1.54 million bales having reached by September 2022. The slump was largely driven by a shortfall in Sindh, where 0.84 million bales arrived at the ginners, lower by 0.4 million bales or 33 per cent year on year.

    The COTLOOK A Index is currently trading at USc122/lb, compared to USc104/lb on September 06, 2021 and FY21 average of USc82/lb.

    READ MORE: FBR notifies duty exemption on cotton yarn import

    The prices have, however, eased from a high of USc173/lb reached in May 2022. Higher prices in the international arena are being driven by adverse climate conditions across the globe, with India suffering from heavy rains and pest attacks, while the US has experienced a drought in the cotton-growing region of Texas (the state has experienced the second driest year in 128 years so far this year).

    To note, the US accounted for 33 per cent of total cotton shipments in FY22, and the US Department of Agriculture estimates 66 per cent of the cotton producing area has been experiencing a drought.

    Moreover, the US has downward revised the global output for FY23 by around 3 million bales in recent WASDE reports, with the output now expected at 117 million bales.

    READ MORE: Exporters welcome duty withdrawal on cotton, yarn import

    The analysts said that textile players in Pakistan build the majority of their inventories during the December Quarter, although the damage to local crop may hinder local procurement. However, the analysts expect the companies to meet this shortfall through imports.

  • Dollar strengthens to PKR 223.42 at interbank closing

    Dollar strengthens to PKR 223.42 at interbank closing

    KARACHI: The US dollar maintained upward momentum against the Pakistani Rupee (PKR) on Wednesday and ended at PKR 223.42 at interbank foreign exchange market.

    The exchange rate recorded a decline of Rs2 in rupee value to end at Rs223.42 against the dollar from previous day’s closing of Rs221.42 in the interbank foreign exchange market.

    READ MORE: Dollar continues upward journey; ends at PKR 221.42 in interbank

    It is pertinent to mention that the rupee fell to the record low at Rs239.94 against the dollar on July 28, 2022.

    The rupee made some recovery against the greenback after the IMF fund was transferred to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). However, the removal of sanction on import of luxury and non-essential items the rupee again started free fall.

    It is worth mentioning that the rupee made recovery during the last week owing to inflows of $1.16 billion from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

    READ MORE: Dollar ends up to PKR 219.86 on September 05, 2022

    The IMF executive board on August 29 approved seventh and eighth review for Pakistan and allowed transfer of $1.1 billion as tranche, which was received by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on August 31, 2022.

    The currency experts said that although the IMF inflows would help the further inflows under bilateral and multilateral sources. However, the devastation of floods has changed the economic environment scenario.

    The torrential rains and flash floods have inflicted a loss of $10 billion to Pakistan’s economy.

    The devastation will prompt the country to make imports in the coming days, especially for agriculture products.

    The rupee also fell due to continuous depletion in foreign exchange reserves of the country.

    The foreign exchange (FX) reserves of Pakistan have declined by $119 million to $13.40 billion by the week ended August 26, 2022. The foreign exchange reserves of the country were at $13.522 billion by the week ended August 19, 2022.

    READ MORE: Dollar jumps to PKR 218.98 at interbank closing on Sept 02, 2022

    The country’s foreign exchange reserves hit an all-time high of $27.228 billion on August 27, 2021. Since then the foreign exchange reserves have declined by $13.825 billion.

    The official foreign exchange reserves of the State Bank witnessed a decline of $113 million to $7.697 billion by the week ended August 26, 2022 as against $7.810 billion a week ago.

    The foreign exchange reserves held by the central bank witnessed a record high at $20.146 billion by the week ended August 27, 2021. Since then the official reserves of the SBP dropped by $12.449 billion.

    The central bank however said it had received proceeds of $1.16 billion (equivalent of SDR 894 million) from IMF under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) on August 31, 2022 which would be included in SBP’s foreign exchange reserve position for the week ending on September 02, 2022.

    READ MORE: Dollar closes down to PKR 218.60 on September 01, 2022

  • KE adjusts electricity bills under FCA relief package

    KE adjusts electricity bills under FCA relief package

    KARACHI: K-Electric, the power distribution utility for Karachi, has started providing relief under package to waive Fuel Charge Adjustment (FCA), which was announced by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

    According to a statement issued by the power utility on Tuesday, following PM’s Announcement of FCA’s relief package for the month of June, 1.8 million eligible electricity consumers across KE serviced territory in Karachi and adjoining regions are receiving benefit and being delivered adjusted bills for August at their doorsteps with extended due dates.

    READ MORE: Date extension demanded for electricity bills payment

    The announcement of June’s FCA relief has come in two parts, it was first announced for Non-ToU Residential Consumers having electricity consumption up to 200 units in June, and later it was extended to the same category of consumers with power consumption up to 300 units in June following the announcement by the Government of Pakistan.

    While the revised bills for August are being delivered to the consumers on their premises, it is also important to note that all those eligible consumers who have already paid their non-revised August bills will receive adjusted bills for the month of September.

    READ MORE: Power tariff hike termed disaster for industries

    Commenting on the matter, Spokesperson K-Electric said, “We are taking every possible measure to pass on the benefit to the qualifying consumers in line with the announcement made by the Honorable Prime Minister.

    Following the announcement of the relief package, our customer care centers operated for extended hours and remained open during the weekends for consumers’ convenience.

    However, to further ease the procedure for their benefit, we are also delivering the bills to consumers’ doorsteps so that they do not have to visit our centers physically. KE Customers may also download their bills via KE WhatsApp Service, KE Live App and from the company’s website.”

    While reiterating the eligibility criteria of the relief package, the Spokesperson further said, “June FCA’s relief applies only to Non-ToU residential consumers who have a power consumption equal to or less than 300 units.

    READ MORE: Pakistan petroleum sales slump by 24% in 2MFY23

    All the remaining electricity consumers, such as ToU residential consumers, Non-ToU residential consumers having power consumption exceeding 300 units, commercial, and industrial consumers do not qualify for the relief, and thus, are requested to timely pay their bills to avoid late payment surcharge.”

    “Our customer care platforms, including our call center 118, 8119 SMS service, and social media channels are also available 24/7 to answer any query from our consumers in this regard,” the Spokesperson further added.

    K-Electric (KE) is a public listed company incorporated in Pakistan in 1913 as KESC. Privatized in 2005 KE is the only vertically integrated utility in Pakistan supplying electricity within a 6500 km square territory including Karachi and its adjoining areas.

    READ MORE: New petroleum prices in Pakistan from September 01, 2022

    The majority shares (66.4 per cent) of the company are listed in the PSX owned by KES Power, a consortium of investors including Aljomaih Power Limited of Saudi Arabia, National Industries Group (Holding), Kuwait, and the Infrastructure and Growth Capital Fund (IGCF). The Government of Pakistan is also a minority shareholder (24.36 per cent) in the company.

  • FBR transfers 153 IRS officers in major reshuffle

    FBR transfers 153 IRS officers in major reshuffle

    The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has undertaken a significant reshuffle in the Inland Revenue Service (IRS), announcing the transfers and postings of 153 officers in the latest round of administrative changes.

    (more…)
  • Pakistan trade deficit narrows by 17% in 2MFY23

    Pakistan trade deficit narrows by 17% in 2MFY23

    ISLAMABAD: Trade deficit fell by 17.13 per cent during first two months (July – August) 2022/2023 2MFY23, owing to fall in import bill, according to data released by Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) on Friday.

    The statistics revealed that the trade deficit for the period July – August 2022/2023 was at $6.27 billion as compared with the deficit of $7.56 billion in the same period of the last fiscal year.

    READ MORE: Pakistan’s trade deficit narrows by 18% in July 2022

    Pakistan’s exports increased by 3.75 per cent to $4.76 billion during July – August 2022/2023 as compared with $4.58 billion in the corresponding period of the last fiscal year.

    On the other hand, import bill of the country fell to $11.03 billion during the first two months of the current fiscal year as compared with $12.15 billion in the same period of the last fiscal year, showing a decline of nine per cent.

    READ MORE: Pakistan’s import bill records over $80 bn in 2021/2022

    However, trade deficit surged by 29 per cent to $3.53 billion in August 2022 when compared with the deficit of $2.74 billion in the month of July 2022.

    The exports recorded 11 per cent increased to $2.50 billion in August 2022 when compared with $2.25 billion in July 2022.

    READ MORE: Pakistan’s trade deficit balloons $43.33 bn in 11 months

    Meanwhile, the import bill also climbed up by 21 per cent to $6.03 billion in August 2022 when compared with $4.99 billion in the month of July 2022.

    READ MORE: Pakistan’s imports hit record high at $65.47 bn in 10 months

  • Pakistan estimates flood devastation to cost $10 billion

    Pakistan estimates flood devastation to cost $10 billion

    ISLAMABAD: The torrential rains and flash floods across Pakistan have inflicted an estimated loss of $10 billion to the national economy.

    Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Miftah Ismail on Thursday said the current devastation of flood in Pakistan is estimated to cost $10 billion.

    READ MORE: Pakistan allows tax exemption on tomato, onion imports

    During flood, railway lines, roads, bridges, grid stations, power lines and houses etc. were badly damaged, which has to be rehabilitated, the minister added.

    The minister said that the United Nation has made a commitment of $160 million and USAID has announced the provision of 30 million dollars.

    Miftah added that in addition to this, friendly countries including the United Kingdom, European countries, Australia and Arab countries has provided financial support and also delivered aid materials.

    READ MORE: FBR announces tax exemptions for flood relief operation

    He said that rehabilitation is a long process which Pakistan will try to complete with the help of its own resources and friendly countries.

    The Minister said that the devastating magnitude of the flood was very high and it is a big challenge for us which “we will try our best to tackle.”

    In response to a question, he said that the federal and provincial governments are helping the flood victims and adding that the central government is disbursing money, for which a woman in every house is being given an amount of up to Rs 2500.

    He said that this amount will be disbursed to 4.2 million women across the country.

    READ MORE: Complaints against banks for refusing flood donations

    Miftah said that the federal and provincial governments and National Disaster Management Authority are currently busy helping the flood victims and the government is delivering food packets, mosquito nets, tents and medicines to the flood affected areas.

    He said that there is no shortage of food, but there is a shortage of onions and tomatoes.

    He said that “we are importing tomatoes and onions by reducing the import duty.”

    The Minister said that apart from this, several million tons of wheat are being imported and the duties on it are being reduced and are being ordered at subsidy rates.

    He said that the goods which will have shortages will be imported so that there is no shortage of essential goods.

    READ MORE: US provides Rs6.65 billion for Pakistan flood relief

    He said that this is a very challenging situation, crops have been damaged due to flood in Sindh province.

    Miftah said that cotton crops have been damaged up to 30% in Sindh province and sugarcane crop has been damaged up to 20 per cent.

    He said that wheat will be sown in the next two months and water draining out is a big challenge but it will be resolved so that the farmers can sow their crops.

    In response to a question, he said that the government is considering giving incentives to farmers and banks will relax the loans of farmers so that they can cover their losses.

  • FBR invites proposals for new retailers tax scheme

    FBR invites proposals for new retailers tax scheme

    ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) is formulating new tax scheme for retailers and in this regard the authority has invited proposals from stakeholders.

    The Chairman FBR invited proposals regarding the features of the proposed tax scheme that would serve the purpose of facilitating filing of income tax returns as well as ensuring revenue for the country.

    READ MORE: Pakistan amends laws to tax retailers

    The government has withdrawn the fixed tax on retailers through the recently promulgated Ordinance. Any new scheme of tax on retailers will be planned and implemented in consultation with the traders.

    The Chairman FBR held a detailed meeting with the representatives of traders from all across the country at the FBR House Islamabad on Thursday afternoon. About 21 representatives of Markazi Tanzeem e Tajiraan Pakistan attended the meeting and some participants joined through video link.

    READ MORE: FBR allows tax refund deducted through electricity bills

    The traders appreciated the initiative of active consultative approach taken by the FBR and put forth various suggestions on the issue.

    Earlier on August 25, a meeting with the representatives from all across Pakistan under All Pakistan Anjuman e Tajiraan was also held by the Chairman FBR in Islamabad.

    READ MORE: Pakistan decides to roll back fixed tax scheme

    While addressing the participants of the two meetings, the Chairman FBR resolved to keep follow-up meetings at the FBR headquarters and also at the regional level so that, through consultation and consensus, a feasible and workable scheme of taxation for retailers & traders is evolved.

    The traders were requested to make in-house deliberations amongst themselves and firm up their suggestions for the future tax scheme to be rolled out next month.

    The next round of meetings will be held with the traders’ bodies next week.

    READ MORE: FTO investigates tax collection through electricity bills

  • 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