Business

Gold price remains unchanged in Pakistan

Published

2 years ago

Farwa

Price is “overcost” by Rs4,500 per tola in Pakistan.
Gold price settles at Rs233,100 per tola.
Silver prices also remain unchanged.

Gold prices remained unchanged in Pakistan on Wednesday after flirting with an all-time high of Rs240,000 per tola in last few days.

The rate of gold (24 carats) remained stable at Rs233,100 per tola and Rs199,846 per 10 grams, respectively, data released by All Pakistan Sarafa Gems and Jewellers Association (APSGJA) showed.

The international rate went down $18 and fell below key level of $2,000 per ounce as the dollar gained after the latest comments from US Federal Reserve officials pushed back against prospects of interest rate cuts this year. The per ounce price settled at $1,988.

The dollar index hit a six-week high. Gold competes with the dollar as a safe store of value, and gains in the currency make bullion less attractive for overseas buyers.

“It seems some market participants still anticipate another rate hike by the US Fed”, pressuring gold, said UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo.

High interest rates increase the opportunity cost of holding non-interest-bearing bullion.

Meanwhile, gold market has remained volatile in Pakistan recently due to several factors — 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 safe-haven bullion had reached an all-time high of Rs240,000 per tola on May 10 following increased political uncertainty after Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s arrest. It dropped later in line with the decline in the international rate.

The jewellers’ body also said that local gold was “overcost” by Rs4,500 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 also remained unchanged at Rs2,950 per tola and Rs2,529.14 per 10 grams, respectively.

Business

E&P Companies Will Invest $5 Billion in Pakistan’s Petroleum Industry

Published

2 days ago

Farwa

Over the next three years, local and foreign companies involved in Pakistan’s oil and gas exploration and production sector have shown a strong desire to invest more than $5 billion in the nation’s energy sector.

Recent changes to the Petroleum Policy and the implementation of an exclusive tight gas policy, which provide better incentives and a more investor-friendly regulatory framework, are credited with the increase in investor confidence.

These strategic changes are expected to boost domestic energy production, open up new avenues for growth, and draw large amounts of both domestic and foreign investment.

Business

With inflation slowing, the SBP is anticipated to lower the policy rate for the eighth time in a row.

Published

2 days ago

Farwa

Businesspeople anticipate another reduction in the policy rate when the State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) releases the updated rate.

The interest rate for the upcoming two months will be announced by the central bank. It is still unclear if the rate will stay the same or be lowered to reflect stakeholder expectations.

According to experts, the policy rate will be lowered in order to further boost the nation’s economic sector.

Interest rates may be lowered for the seventh time in a row if the inflation rate declines significantly more than anticipated.

In its last six sessions, the MPC had cut the policy rate by 10 percent. In January 2025, it decreased the rate by one percent to 12pc.

12PC POLICY RATE

In January, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) announced cut in key policy rate by 100 basis points (bps) to 12 percent from 13pc in line with expectations of the business community.

The policy rate, which had been at 22 percent since June 2024, was slashed by 1,000 basis points to 12 percent.

The SBP governor said the decision was taken with careful consideration. “Although inflation is expected to decline next month (February), core inflation remains a pressing concern,” he stated.

Ahmed highlighted strong remittance inflows and robust export growth as key factors supporting the current account.