Tag: Pakistan Bureau of Statistics

  • Pakistan’s trade deficit narrows by 33.52 percent in July – October

    Pakistan’s trade deficit narrows by 33.52 percent in July – October

    ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s trade deficit has narrowed by 33.52 percent during first four months (July – October) of current fiscal year owing to improving exports.

    According to data released by Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) on Thursday, the trade deficit reduced to $7.77 billion during July – October of current fiscal year as compared with the deficit of 11.7 billion in the corresponding period of the last fiscal year.

    The country’s exports registered four percent growth during the period under review. The exports grew to $7.54 billion during first four months of the current fiscal year as compared with $7.27 billion in the same period of the last fiscal year.

    However, the import bill of the country sharply fell by 19.21 percent during the period. The import bill declined to $15.32 billion during July – October of the current fiscal year as compared with $18.96 billion in the corresponding period of the last fiscal year.

  • Headline inflation increases by 11 percent in October

    Headline inflation increases by 11 percent in October

    ISLAMABAD: The headline inflation based on Consumer Price Index (CPI) has increased by 11 percent in October 2019 while calculating on the base year 2015-2016.

    According to inflation data released by Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) on Wednesday, the inflation general increased by 11.0 percent on year-on-year basis in October 2019 as compared to an increase of 11.4 percent in the previous month and 6.5 percent in October 2018.

    On month-on-month basis, it increased by 1.8 percent in October 2019 as compared to an increase of 0.8 percent in the previous month and 2.1 percent in October 2018, the PBS said.

    CPI inflation Urban, increased by 10.9 percent on year-on-year basis in October 2019 as compared to an increase of 11.6 percent in the previous month and 7.0 percent in October 2018.

    On month-on-month basis, it increased by 1.6 percent in October 2019 as compared to an increase of 0.7 percent in the previous month and an increase of 2.2 percent in October 2018.

    CPI inflation Rural, increased by 11.3 percent on year-on-year basis in October 2019 as compared to an increase of 11.1 percent in the previous month and 5.7 percent in October 2018.

    On month-on-month basis, it increased by 2.2 percent in October 2019 as compared to an increase of 0.8 percent in the previous month and an increase of 2.0 percent in October 2018.

    Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) inflation on YoY increased by 15.1 percent in October 2019 as compared to an increase of 14.7 percent a month earlier and an increase of 1.7 percent in October 2018.

    On MoM basis, it increased by 2.7 percent in October 2019 as compared to an increase of 1.9 percent a month earlier and an increase of 2.3 percent in October 2018.

    Wholesale Price Index (WPI) inflation on YoY basis increased by 13.2 percent in October 2019 as compared to an increase of 15.9 percent a month earlier and an increase of 18.6 percent in October 2018.

    WPI inflation on MoM basis increased by 2.0 percent in October 2019 as compared to an increase of 0.1 percent a month earlier and an increase of 4.4 percent in corresponding month of last year i.e. October 2018.

  • Significant decline in import bill sharply narrows trade deficit by 35 percent in first quarter

    Significant decline in import bill sharply narrows trade deficit by 35 percent in first quarter

    ISLAMABAD: Significant decline in import bill helped to sharply narrow the trade deficit by 35 percent during first quarter of current fiscal year, according to data released Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) on Friday.

    The trade deficit narrowed by 35 percent to $5.72 billion during July – September 2019 of current fiscal year as compared with deficit of $8.79 billion in the corresponding period of the last fiscal year.

    The total import bill of the country fell by 21 percent to $11.25 billion during first quarter of the current fiscal year as compared with $14.16 billion in the same period of the last fiscal year.

    Meanwhile, the exports have posted 3 percent growth to $5.52 billion during July – September 2019 as compared with $5.37 billion in the same period of the last fiscal year.

  • Headline inflation increases by 11.4 percent in September

    Headline inflation increases by 11.4 percent in September

    ISLAMABAD: The headline inflation based on Consumer Price Index (CPI) has increased by 11.4 percent in the month of September 2019, said Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) on Wednesday.

    It said that CPI inflation general with base year 2015-2016, increased by 11.4 percent on year-on-year basis in September 2019 as compared to an increase of 10.5 percent in the previous month and 5.4 percent in September 2018.

    On month-on-month basis, it increased by 0.8 percent in September 2019 as compared to an increase of 1.6 percent in the previous month and 0.0 percent in September 2018.

    CPI inflation Urban, increased by 11.6 percent on year-on-year basis in September 2019 as compared to an increase of 10.6 percent in the previous month and 5.6 percent in September 2018.

    On month-on-month basis, it increased by 0.7 percent in September 2019 as compared to an increase of 1.5 percent in the previous month and a decrease of 0.1 percent in September 2018.

    CPI inflation Rural, increased by 11.1 percent on year-on-year basis in September 2019 as compared to an increase of 10.3 percent in the previous month and 5.1 percent in September 2018.

    On month-on-month basis, it increased by 0.8 percent in September 2019 as compared to an increase of 1.9 percent in the previous month and 0.0 percent in September 2018.

    Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) inflation on YoY increased by 14.7 percent in September 2019 as compared to an increase of 12.1 percent a month earlier and an increase of 0.4 percent in September 2018.

    On MoM basis, it increased by 1.9 percent in September 2019 as compared to an increase of 2.7 percent a month earlier and a decrease of 0.4 percent in September 2018.

    Wholesale Price Index (WPI) inflation on YoY basis increased by 15.9 percent in September 2019 as compared to an increase of 14.1 percent a month earlier and an increase of 14.6 percent in September 2018.

    WPI inflation on MoM basis increased by 0.1 percent in September 2019 as compared to an increase of 1.2 percent a month earlier and a decrease of 1.5 percent in corresponding month of last year i.e. September 2018.

  • Pakistan imports mobile phones worth Rs26 billion; up 52.4pc in July – August

    Pakistan imports mobile phones worth Rs26 billion; up 52.4pc in July – August

    KARACHI: Pakistan has imported mobile phones worth Rs26 billion during first two months of current fiscal year, which is 52.4 percent higher when compared with Rs16.98 billion in the same period of the last fiscal year.

    The higher import of mobile phones can be attributed to massive depreciation of Pak Rupee during the comparative year and deterrence created against smuggled mobile phones.

    According to Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) that rupee value converted into US Dollar on average monthly exchange rate provided by State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).

    The PBS said that the exchange rate for import value has been applied as: August 2019 (1$=RS.158.077024 ), July 2019 (1$=Rs.158.829694) and August 2018 (1$=Rs.123.789583).

    On the other hand the mandatory registration through system introduced by Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) also discouraged the influx of smuggle phones and resulted in high number of clearance through legal channels.

    The PBS said that in terms of dollar the import of mobile phones registered 19.4 percent growth during the period under review.

    The import of mobile phones was $163.484 million during July – August 2019 as compared with $136.91 million in the corresponding period of the last year.

    The country imported mobile phones worth Rs13.47 billion in the month of August 2019, which is 61 percent higher when compared with Rs8.37 billion in the same month of last year.

    The latest figures of August 2019 are also 8.38 percent higher when compared with Rs12.43 billion in July 2019.

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  • Car imports fall sharply by 85 percent in first two months

    Car imports fall sharply by 85 percent in first two months

    KARACHI: The car imports in Pakistan have sharply fell by 85 percent during first two months of current fiscal year owing to payment restriction imposed for customs clearance.

    (more…)
  • Rebasing lowers average inflation for July-August

    Rebasing lowers average inflation for July-August

    ISLAMABAD: The average headline inflation i.e. Consumer Price Index (CPI) was calculated at 9.44 for the months of July and August, 2019 on the basis of revised base year, a statement said on Wednesday.

    Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) revised base year for calculating Consumer Price Index (CPI) from 2007-2008 to 2015-2016.

    The CPI on new base (2015-16) comprises of urban CPI and Rural CPI. The Urban CPI covers 35 cities and 356 consumer items. The Rural CPI covers 27 Rural Centers and 244 consumer items. In the new base year (2015-16) National CPI for 12 major groups is also computed by taking weighted average of Urban CPI and Rural CPI.

    According to the PBS, the inflation rate for August 2019 over July 2019 as per base year 2007-2008 is 1.3 percent and 1.64 percent as per base year 2016-2016.

    The inflation rate for August 2019 over August 2018 is at 11.63 percent as per base year 2007-2008 and 10.49 percent as per base year 2015-2016.

    The average inflation rate for July – August 2019 over the same period of last year is 10.98 percent as per base year 2007-2008 and 9.44 percent as per base year 2015/2016.

    The CPI National with base year (2015-16) for the month of August, 2019 has increased by 1.64 percent over July, 2019. The Urban CPI with base year (2015-16) recorded an increase of 1.46 percent while Rural CPI with base year (2015-16) recorded an increase of 1.91 percent. CPI with old base year (2007-08) recorded an increase of 1.38 percent.

    Top few commodities which varied from previous month i.e. July, 2019 are given below:

    URBAN:

    Increased: Chicken (40.75 percent), Tomatoes(37.47 percent), Onions(32.31 percent), Fresh vegetables(12.84 percent), Eggs (9.76 percent), Potatoes(6.21 percent), Cooking oil(4.68 percent), Vegetable ghee(4.18 percent), Motor fuel(3.88 percent), Sugar(3.78 percent), Pulse masoor(2.54 percent), Mustard oil(1.75 percent), Pulse gram(1.44 percent), Wheat flour (1.29 percent) and Pulse mash(1.01 percent).

    Decreased: Fresh fruits(15.64 percent), Liquified Hydrocarbons (LPG) (5.19 percent), and Wheat(0.3 percent).

    RURAL:

    Increased: Tomatoes(35.4 percent), Onions(28.49 percent), Chicken(26.56 percent), Potatoes(18.18 percent), Fresh Vegetables(10.96 percent), Eggs(9.79 percent), Sugar(5.21 percent), Doctor Clinic Fee (4.74 percent), Motor Fuels (4.21 percent), Cooking oil(3.22 percent), Pulse Moong(2.81 percent), Vegetable ghee(2.51 percent), Pulse Mash(2.35 percent) and Milk powder(1.85 percent).

    Decreased: Fresh fruits(20.6 percent), Fish(2.8 percent), Beans(1.72 percent) and Wheat(0.32 percent).

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    Headline inflation increases by 10.3pc in July 2019

  • Headline inflation increases by 10.3pc in July 2019

    Headline inflation increases by 10.3pc in July 2019

    ISLAMABAD: The headline inflation based on Consumer Price Index (CPI) has increased by 10.3 percent on year-on-year basis in July, 2019, said Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) on Thursday.

    The inflation has been increased as compared to an increase of 8.9 percent in the previous month and 5.8 percent in July 2018.

    On month-on-month basis, it increased by 2.3 percent in July 2019 as compared to an increase of 0.4 percent in the previous month and an increase of 0.9 percent in corresponding month i.e. July 2018.

    Core inflation measured by non-food non-energy CPI (Core NFNE) increased by 7.8 percent on (YoY) basis in July 2019 as compared to an increase of 7.2 percent in the previous month and 7.6 percent in July 2018. On (MoM) basis, it in-creased by 1.7 percent in July 2019 as compared to an increase of 0.3 percent in previous month, and an increase of 1.2 percent in corresponding month of last year i.e. July 2018.

    Core inflation, measured by 20 percent weighted trimmed mean CPI (Core Trimmed) increased by 8.0 percent on (YoY) basis in July 2019 as compared to 7.3 percent in the previous month and by 5.9 percent in July 2018.

    On (MoM) basis, it increased by 1.7 percent in July 2019 as compared to an increase of 0.4 percent in the previous month and an increase of 0.9 percent in cor-responding month of last year i.e. July 2018.

    Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) based inflation on YoY basis increased by 12.2 percent in July 2019 as compared to an increase of 10.6 percent a month earlier and an increase of 3.6 percent in July 2018.

    On MoM basis, it increased by 2.6 percent as compared to an increase of 1.6 percent in the previous month and an increase of 1.2 percent in corresponding month of last year i.e. July 2018.

    Wholesale Price Index (WPI0 inflation on YoY basis increased by 13.5 percent in July 2019 as compared to an increase of 12.7 percent a month earlier and an increase of 10.5 percent in July 2018.

    WPI inflation on MoM basis increased by 3.1 percent in July 2019 as compared to an increase of 0.3 percent a month earlier and an increase of 2.4 percent in corresponding month of last year i.e. July 2018.

  • Textile exports decline by 15pc in June on budgetary measures

    Textile exports decline by 15pc in June on budgetary measures

    KARACHI: Pakistan’s textile exports fell by 15 percent in June 2019 to $1.01 billion as compared with $1.19 billion in the same month of the last year, according to export data released by Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) on Friday.

    The exports of June 2019 has also exhibited 14.55 percent decline when compared with $1.18 billion in May 2019.

    Analysts said that uncertainty in exchange rate and budgetary measures have negatively impacted the exports in the month of June 2019.

    They said that the currency fluctuated massively during past two months, which increased the cost of imported raw material. Further budgetary measures including elimination of sales tax zero-rating for five export sectors also caused in export decline.

    The overall exports of textile products fell by 1.42 percent to $13.33 billion during fiscal year 2018/2019 as compared with $13.52 billion in the preceding fiscal year.

    The experts said that despite several incentives given by the government to this particular sector the exports were remained stagnant. They said that the government in terms of incentives had granted rebate and credit on duty and taxes.

    The exports of knitwear and readymade garments have supported the overall textile exports. The export of knitwear grew by 7 percent to $2.89 billion during fiscal year 2018/2019 as compared with $2.711 billion in the preceding fiscal year.

    Similarly, the export of readymade garments exhibited growth of three percent to $2.65 billion in the fiscal year under review as compared with $2.577 billion in the fiscal year 2017/2018.

    The export of raw cotton and cotton year witnessed decline of 65 percent and 18 percent during the comparative fiscal years.

    However, export of bead wear was remained flat at $2.262 billion in fiscal year 2018/2019 as compared with $2.261 billion in the preceding fiscal year.

    The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) in its third quarterly report on Pakistan Economy said that the stagnation in overall textile exports stemmed from a slowdown in export growth (in value terms) of readymade garments and knitwear items, and Year on Year (YoY) declines in cotton fabric and yarn exports.

    Except for yarn, export values of all these major products suffered from a drop in unit prices, as quantum exports grew appreciably. The drop in dollar-based unit prices was mainly owed to exchange rate adjustments, as exports rose significantly in Pak Rupee terms, the SBP said.

    In rupee term the textile exports registered 22 percent growth during 2018/2019 as compared with preceding fiscal year.

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  • Trade deficit narrows by 15.33pc to $31.82 billion in 2018/2019

    Trade deficit narrows by 15.33pc to $31.82 billion in 2018/2019

    ISLAMABAD: The country’s trade deficit has narrowed by 15.33 percent during fiscal year 2018/2019 owing to decline in import bill, according to data released by Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) on Friday.

    The trade deficit declined to $31.82 billion in last fiscal year as compared with $37.58 billion in the preceding fiscal year.

    The decline in trade deficit can be attributed to 10 percent decline in total import bill. The imports declined to $54.79 billion during fiscal year 2018/2019 as compared with $60.79 billion in the preceding fiscal year.

    However, exports failed to exhibited growth despite several incentives announced by the government in the past.

    The exports fell by one percent to $22.97 billion during the last fiscal year as compared with $23.21 billion in the preceding fiscal year.

    In the month of June 2019 the exports fell sharply by 18.32 percent comparing the previous month. The exports were $1.71 billion in June 2019 as $2.1 billion in the month of May 2019.

    On the other hand imports also fell by 13.45 percent during the month under review. The imports were at $4.36 billion in June 2019 as compared with $5.04 billion in the month of May 2019.

    Analysts said that the decline in both imports and exports were due to budgetary measures announced in the month of June 2019.

    They said that the government had taken very harsh measures to generate revenue for the fiscal year 2019/2020. The elimination of zero-rate of sales tax negatively impacted the exports. On the other hand the rise in import duties and taxes also discouraged the foreign purchases.

    The analysts further said that the fall in rupee value also another major reason for decline in both exports and imports during the month of June 2019.