Business

Dollar free fall continues against rupee for third consecutive session

Published

2 years ago

Farwa

Pakistan rupee gains further ground in interbank market.
Local unit gains after successive losses last week.
Increase comes following Ishaq Dar’s return to Pakistan.

The Pakistani rupee gained further ground as the US dollar continued its declining trend for the third consecutive session on Tuesday.

The dollar lost Rs3.11 against the rupee on Tuesday and closed at Rs233.91 in the interbank market at the end of trade session, after the local unit suffered consecutive losses during several sessions in the last trading week.

Interbank closing #ExchangeRate for todayhttps://t.co/6ofbsTsbB7 pic.twitter.com/9xD06V3Pgz
— SBP (@StateBank_Pak) September 27, 2022

The dollar has so far shed Rs5.15 in the interbank market, only two days into the trade week.

The local currency on Friday — the last trading day of the outgoing week — finally broke its losing streak against the dollar after continuously depreciating for 15 consecutive sessions.

The rupee came close to reaching a record low of 240 against the dollar but was unable to do so after several positive cues despite deadly floods devastating Pakistan’s economy.

Exchange Companies Association of Pakistan (ECAP) General Secretary Zafar Paracha had said it seems the market is responding to PML-N leader Ishaq Dar’s arrival and the announcement of him replacing Miftah Ismail as the finance minister.

Dar has returned to Pakistan after five years of self-imposed exile in London to “facilitate” the government in its efforts to resurrect a cash-strapped economy by taking over the key portfolio of the finance ministry.

Apart from Dar’s announcement, Paracha noted that the market players were noting political stability as well — after PTI Chairman Imran Khan stated he could return to parliament if the alleged cipher — purportedly containing threatening text behind his government’s ouster — is probed.

The ECAP general secretary also said that the announcement from the World Bank about repurposing funds, the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) plans to help Pakistan, and the Asian Development Bank’s help have boosted hopes of the market.

Business

Irfan Siddiqui meets with the PM and informs him about the Senate performance of the parliamentary party.

Published

1 day ago

Farwa

The head of the Senate’s Foreign Affairs Standing Committee and the PML-N’s parliamentary leader paid Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif a visit in Islamabad.

Senator Irfan Siddiqui gave the Prime Minister an update on the Parliamentary Party’s Senate performance.

Additionally, Senator Irfan Siddiqui gave the Prime Minister an update on the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs’ performance.

He complimented the Prime Minister on his outstanding efforts to bring Pakistan’s economy back on track and meet its economic objectives.

Business

SIFC Increases Direct Foreign Investment: Investment in the Energy Sector Rises by 120%

Published

1 day ago

Farwa

The Special Investment Facilitation Council is intended to help Pakistan’s energy sector attract $585.6 million in direct foreign investment in 2024–2025. The amount invested at the same time previous year was $266.3 million.

This is a notable 120% rise, mostly due to investments in gas exploration, oil, and power. Such expansion indicates heightened investor confidence and emphasizes the development potential in important areas.

The State Bank reports that foreign investment in other vital industries has increased by 48% to $771 million.

This advancement is a blatant testament to SIFC’s efficient investment procedure and quick project execution.

The purpose of the Special Investment Facilitation Council is to establish Pakistan as an investment hub by aggressively promoting regional trade and investment in the energy sector and other critical industries.

Business

Discos report losses of Rs239 billion.

Published

1 day ago

Farwa

When compared to the same period last year, the data indicates that discos have decreased their losses in the first quarter of the current fiscal year.

The distribution businesses recorded losses of Rs239 billion in the first three months of the current fiscal year, a substantial decrease from the Rs308 billion losses sustained during the same period the previous year.

Additionally, the distribution businesses’ rate of recovery has improved. It has increased to 91% in the first quarter of this year from 84% in the same period last year, indicating success in revenue collection.

Regarding circular debt, the Power division observed a notable change. Last year, between July and October, the circular debt grew by Rs301 billion. Nonetheless, this year’s first four months saw a relatively modest increase in circular debt, totaling about Rs11 billion.

These enhancements show promising developments in the electricity sector’s financial health in Pakistan, where initiatives are being made to accelerate recovery rates and slow the expansion of circular debt.