Business

Gold continues to set new records in Pakistan

Published

3 years ago

Farwa

Gold price rises by Rs300 per tola today.
Precious commodity gains Rs4,000 in last six sessions.
Silver price rises by Rs60 per tola in Pakistan.

KARACHI: Gold has continued to make and break new records since the formation of the new government followed by the ongoing economic crisis.

It hit a fresh all-time high of Rs136,000 per tola (11.66 grams) in Pakistan on Thursday, providing protection to investors from rupee depreciation.

According to the All Sindh Sarafa Jewellers Association (ASSJA), the price of gold per tola rose by Rs300. Meanwhile, the price rose by Rs257 per 10 grams to settle at Rs116,598.

With the latest increase of Rs300 per tola today, the gold price has surged by a total of Rs4,000 in the last six sessions (Friday-Thursday).

Gold has emerged as a safe asset in these challenging times of the economic crisis. People were aggressively buying gold to protect their cash from deflation.

The drop in the rupee value — which slumped to an all-time low of Rs191.77 against the US dollar in the interbank market — forced the gold trading body to revise up the bullion price significantly as Pakistan meets the local demand for the precious yellow metal through imports.

Earlier, commenting on the rising prices, a gold dealer had said that the metal remains a safe haven against inflation (rupee depreciation and increase in essential commodity prices) and people invest in gold to avoid the impact of the devaluation of the local currency.

He predicted that the gold price will continue to hover at a high level along with the depreciating rupee as the market sees the local currency crossing the critical 200-mark.

However, despite the wedding season, the demand in the market remains subdued due to a lack of purchasing power.

In the international market, the price of yellow metal recorded a decrease of $6 per ounce to settle at $1,846.

Gold rates in Pakistan are around Rs1,000 below the cost compared to the rate in the Dubai market.

Meanwhile, silver prices in the domestic market rose significantly by Rs60 per tola and Rs51.44 to settle at Rs1,560 and Rs1,337.44 today.

Business

The total amount of Pakistan’s liquid foreign reserves is $15.95 billion.

Published

3 days ago

Farwa

As of February 14, Pakistan’s total liquid foreign reserves were $15,947.9 million, with the State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) holdings being $11,201.5 million.

Official figures for the week ending February 14, 2025, show that the central bank’s liquid foreign exchange reserves rose by $35 million to $11,201.5 million.

Commercial banks maintained net foreign reserves of $4,746.4 million during the period under review, according to the breakdown of foreign reserves.

The nation’s total liquid foreign reserves as of the week ending February 07, 2025, were $15,862.6 million.

Of these, the central bank held $11,166.6 million in foreign reserves, while commercial banks kept $4,696 million in net reserves.

Business

In January 2025, RDA inflows reach 9.564 billion USD.

Published

2 weeks ago

Farwa

Remittances under the Roshan Digital Account (RDA) increased from US $9.342 billion at the end of 2024 to US $9.564 billion by the end of January 2025.

The most recent data issued by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) revealed that remittance inflows in January totaled US$222 million, compared to US$203 million in December and US$186 million in November 2024.

Millions of Non-Resident Pakistanis (NRPs), including those who own a Non-Resident Pakistan Origin Card (POC), desire to engage in banking, payment, and investing activities in Pakistan using these accounts, which offer cutting-edge banking options.

Nearly 778,697 accounts were registered under the scheme by the end of January 2025, according to the data.

By the end of January, foreign-born Pakistanis had contributed US $59 million to Roshan Equity Investment, US $479 million to Naya Pakistan Certificates, and US $799 to Naya Pakistan Islamic Certificates.

Business

FBR lowers Karachi’s built-up structure property valuation rates

Published

2 weeks ago

Farwa

A year-by-year breakdown of the depreciation value of residential and commercial built-up properties is included in the updated property valuation rates for Karachi that the FBR has announced.

The notification said that built-up structural values on residential property will be gradually reduced.

A residential home’s built-up structure, which is five to ten years old, will lose five percent of its worth.

In a similar vein, constructions between the ages of 10 and 15 will lose 7.5% of their value, while those between the ages of 15 and 25 would lose 10%. Built-up structures that are more than 25 years old will be valued similarly to an open plot.

Furthermore, age will also be used to lower the valuation of built-up properties, such as apartments and flats.

Structures that are five to ten years old will depreciate by ten percent, while those that are ten to twenty years old will depreciate by twenty percent. A 30% depreciation will be applied to properties that are 20 to 30 years old, while a 50% reduction will be applied to those that are above 30 years old.

In terms of commercial built-up properties, buildings that are 10 to 15 years old will lose 5% of their value, while those that are 15 to 25 years old will lose 8%. The value of properties that are more than 25 years old will drop by 10%.

In contrast, there would be a 15% boost in the value of commercial properties in the Defence Housing Authority (DHA) that face any Khayaban.