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IMF mission has arrived in Pakistan for negotiations regarding a loan.

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Sources from the Ministry of Finance indicate that the IMF team will assess Pakistan’s economic performance and engage in discussions with pertinent ministries.

Sources indicated that the government has already informed the delegation of its economic objectives and accomplishments during the first quarter of the fiscal year. Principal topics of debate encompass revenue collection, with Pakistan achieving 96.6% of its tax target from July to September.

The IMF mission is anticipated to confer with Minister of State for Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb, the Chairman of the FBR, and officials from the State Bank to deliberate on the nation’s economic condition and prospective strategies.

Sources previously said that during the visit, IMF and Pakistani officials will deliberate on new concessional loans to facilitate climate change activities, as well as debate province budgets and their allocation for climate change measures.

Sources indicated that the group will evaluate the current IMF loan program and deliver a first briefing, with discussions perhaps focusing on Pakistan’s tax revenue and anticipated shortages from July to September.

Pakistan has received the initial installment of the IMF loan.

The government of Pakistan requested an additional $2 billion from the IMF to mitigate the effects of climate change.

This event followed the IMF’s delay in approving Pakistan’s original request for climate finance, according to sources.

Sources indicated that Pakistan implemented measures to enhance fiscal sustainability and generate revenue, including the approval of the FY24 budget, which targets a primary surplus of around 0.4 percent of GDP. The government has pledged to maintain a market-driven currency rate and to mitigate inflation.

On September 27, Pakistan solicited an additional $1.5 billion loan from the IMF to address the effects of climate change within the nation.

The financing would bolster Pakistan’s Climate Resilience and Sustainability Facility, which seeks to enhance economic stability and sustainable development in the nation.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Executive Board approved Pakistan’s 37-month Extended Fund Facility (EFF) arrangement of approximately US$7 billion on September 25.

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ADB authorizes a $200 million loan for Pakistan to upgrade its power distribution system.

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A $200 million loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has been authorized to update Pakistan’s power distribution system.

The project intends to improve data management and communication networks and deploy more than 300,000 smart metering equipment.

The project will involve improvements to voltage levels at SEPCO grid stations and monitoring systems for 15,500 transformers. LESCO plans to build or upgrade 25 grid stations with cutting-edge machinery. The initiative will reinforce income security, enhance demand management, and lower power losses, all of which will help to address

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Bulls recover from a sharp fall.

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The benchmark KSE-100 Index hovered at 111,005 points after rising more than 2000 points against the previous closing of 108,896 points, indicating that bullish momentum has returned to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) a day after a sharp bearish rally.

For the past month or so, the proverbial bulls have been galloping thanks to the cash infusion from the International Monetary Fund’s loan release and more discussions on climate funding.

The impending SBP policy rate-cutting meeting is another factor contributing to the current market mood. On December 16, the Central Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee is anticipated to convene.

Market analysts claim that the government’s decision to form a committee to address the outstanding problem of the Advances to Deposit Ratio (ADR) in the banking industry was the cause of the market’s abrupt collapse. However, the trend didn’t last long.

Following an extraordinary run of gains over the past month or so, the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) reached a historic high of 100,000 points on November 30.

The KSE-100 index achieved one milestone after another in November 2024 amid recurring reports of economic stability, mainly due to the recent loan disbursement by the IMF.

The reassuring agreement with the international lender and Pakistan’s economic czar Muhammad Aurangzeb’s subsequent announcement ruling out a mini-budget boosted investor confidence in recent times.

The State Bank of Pakistan lowered the policy rate by 250 basis points to 15% on November 5.

Inflation dropped more quickly than anticipated and approached its medium-term target range in October, according to the SBP’s relevant committee.

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PSX 100-index reaches an unprecedented peak, exceeding 111,000 points.

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The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) reached the significant milestone of 111,000 points shortly after today’s market opening.

The KSE-100 Index ascended by more than 1,000 points in the initial five minutes of trade, achieving a notable increase of 1,044 points to attain 111,014 points.

The increase indicates heightened investor confidence and a robust market sentiment.

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