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Gold price extends gains in Pakistan

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  • Gold price settles at Rs199,200 per tola.
  • Rates increase as rupee resume its downtrend.
  • Silver price in domestic market remain unchanged.

Gold prices extended gains on Monday as the rupee resumed its downtrend over concerns regarding Pakistan’s external financing and delay in the revival of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme.

Data released by All-Pakistan Sarafa Gems and Jewellers Association (APSGJA) showed that the price of gold (24 carats) increased by Rs500 per tola and Rs428 per 10 grams to settle at Rs199,200 and Rs170,782.

The Pakistani currency lost Re0.84, or 0.30%, against the US dollar in the interbank market which pushed the price of gold in the local bullion market upwards.

Recent events show that gold remains a safe haven asset as it is able to benefit from market uncertainty. 

Cumulatively, the yellow metal had shed Rs1,300 per tola during the last week — and it had only registered gains twice as the movement of Pakistani currency remains volatile.

Meanwhile, silver prices in the domestic market remained unchanged at Rs2,120 per tola and Rs1,817.55 per 10 grams, respectively.

In the international market, gold raced towards the key $1,900 level, emboldened by bets that the Federal Reserve may now have to tone down its rate hikes as investors sought cover from uncertainty triggered by the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank. 

The per ounce of gold settled at $1,886 after an increase of $20.

Market participants pricing out rate hike expectations are lifting gold, said UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo. Lower interest rates decrease the opportunity cost of holding zero-yield gold.

Gold gaining tells us that some institutional money came into the market. If we will see this trend in exchange-traded funds (ETFs) is not certain yet, said Philip Newman at consultants Metals Focus.

The yellow metal found further tailwinds from the simultaneous retreat in the dollar index, which made bullion cheaper for overseas buyers.

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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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