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Gold gains lustre as price goes up

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  • Domestic gold rate reaches Rs237,800 per tola.
  • International rate rises to $1,982 per ounce. 
  • Silver price remains stable at Rs2,900 per tola.

The price of gold went up again in Pakistan Wednesday after the international rate edged higher as traders eyed a possible deal on raising the US debt limit as well as a future interest rate hike.

According to the All Pakistan Sarafa Gems and Jewellers Association (APSGJA), the price of gold increased by Rs600 per tola and Rs514 per 10 grams to reach Rs237,800 and Rs203,875, respectively.

The international price rose by $23 to settle at $1,982 per ounce.

US Democrats and Republicans ended another round of talks on Tuesday on the federal debt ceiling without reaching an agreement.

If the debt ceiling — which is currently capped at $31.4 trillion — is not raised, it would trigger the first-ever US default.

Investors also awaited the minutes from a recent Federal Reserve meeting regarding the interest rate.

The international developments also affected the domestic market, where the gold rate has been volatile in recent weeks. This has been due to a number of factors, including economic and political turmoil, high inflation, and currency depreciation. People prefer to buy the yellow metal in such times as a safe investment and a hedge.

The rupee, which fell to an all-time low of Rs298.93 on May 11, closed at Rs287.13 per US dollar in the interbank market Wednesday.

The jewellers’ body also said that local gold was “overcost” by Rs4,000 per tola in Pakistan compared to the Dubai bullion market. This means that, at present, the Pakistani gold market is more expensive than the world market.

Data shared by the association showed the price of silver remained unchanged at Rs2,900 per tola and Rs2,486.28 per 10 grams, respectively. 

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

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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.

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

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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.

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Discos report losses of Rs239 billion.

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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.

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