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Gold glitters again as record high inflation boosts demand

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  • Gold price settles at Rs141,000 per tola.
  • A surge of over 1.43% per tola snapped four-day losing streak of gold.
  • Silver prices plummet by Rs50 per tola.

KARACHI: Gold prices rose on Thursday, as skyrocketing inflation dulled risk appetite and boosted demand for the safe-haven metal, although an advancing Pakistani rupee limited bullion’s gains.

Data released by All Sindh Sarafa Association showed that the gold price in Pakistan surged by Rs2,000 per tola and Rs1,715 per 10 grams to settle at Rs141,000 and Rs120,885.

A surge of over 1.43% per tola snapped the four-day losing streak of the yellow metal during which the price of gold declined by Rs8,100 in the local market.

Record high Pakistan’s consumer price index-bases inflation surged to a multi-decade high of 27.3% in August which pushed the gold price to a one-and-a-half-year-high.

The safe-haven asset reversed its downtrend today as multi-year high inflation data boosted the appeal of the asset; however, the appreciation of the Pakistani rupee was pulling at the heels of the gold market and limiting its upside.

Gold is traditionally seen as an inflation hedge. However, reduced central bank interest rate hikes tend to push government bond yields up, translating into a higher opportunity cost for holding gold that pays no interest.

Gold is considered a hedge against inflation, but interest rate hikes would raise the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding bullion.

In the international market, the price of yellow metal plunged by $13 per ounce to settle at $1,702. Gold prices briefly slid below the key $1,700 psychological level for the first time in six weeks, as major central banks stuck to an aggressive stance to combat inflation, dulling demand for non-yielding bullion.

It should be noted that the gold price stands below cost and is cheaper by Rs3,000 per tola compared to Dubai.

Meanwhile, silver prices in the domestic market plummeted by Rs50 per tola and Rs42.87 per 10 grams to settle at Rs1,470 per tola and Rs1,260.28 per 10 grams today.

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In interbank trade, the Pakistani rupee beats the US dollar.

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In the international exchange market, the US dollar has continued to weaken in relation to the Pakistani rupee.

The dollar fell to Rs278.10 from Rs278.17 at the beginning of interbank trading, according to currency dealers, a seven paisa loss.

In the meantime, there was a lot of turbulence in the stock market, but it recovered and moved into the positive zone. The KSE-100 index recovered momentum and reached 116,000 points after soaring 1,300 points.

Both currency and stock market swings, according to analysts, are a reflection of ongoing market adjustments and economic uncertainty.

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Phase II of CPEC: China-Pakistan Partnership Enters a New Era

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The cornerstone of economic cooperation between the two brothers and all-weather friends is still the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, the initiative’s flagship project.

In contrast to reports of a slowdown, recent events indicate a renewed vigour and strategic emphasis on pushing the second phase of CPEC, known as CPEC Phase-2, according to the Ministry of Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives.

According to the statement, this crucial stage seeks to reshape the foundation of bilateral ties via increased cooperation, cutting-edge technology transfer, and revolutionary socioeconomic initiatives.

Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal is leading Pakistan’s participation in a number of high-profile gatherings in China, such as the 3rd Forum on China-Indian Ocean Region Development Cooperation in Kunming and the High-Level Seminar on CPEC-2 in Beijing.

His involvement demonstrates Pakistan’s commitment to reviving CPEC, resolving outstanding concerns, and developing a strong phase-2 roadmap that considers both countries’ long-term prosperity.

At the core of these interactions is China’s steadfast determination to turn CPEC into a strategic alliance that promotes development, progress, and connectivity.

Instead of being marginalised, CPEC is developing into a multifaceted framework with five main thematic corridors: the Opening-Up/Regional Connectivity Corridor, the Innovation Corridor, the Green Corridor, the Growth Corridor, and the Livelihood-Enhancing Corridor.

With the help of projects like these, the two countries will fortify their partnership, and CPEC phase-2 will become a model of global economic integration and collaboration that benefits not just China and Pakistan but the entire region.

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The inflation rate in Pakistan dropped to its lowest level.

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On December 2, core inflation as determined by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) significantly slowed, falling to 4.9% in November 2024 from 7.2 percent in October 2024.

The CPI-based inflation rate for the same month last year (November 2023) was 29.2%, according to PBS data.

Compared to a 1.2% gain in the prior month, it increased by 0.5% month over month in November 2024.

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