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Govt increases profit rates on saving schemes

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  • CDNS says new rates effective from May 9.
  • Savings Account rates increase from 18.5% to 19.5%
  • Special Savings Certificates will now yield 17.4%.

The government has revised the rate of profit on national saving schemes by upto 1% to make the schemes lucrative and mobilise investment from the general public, The News reported Tuesday.

The Central Directorate of National Savings (CDNS) — which works under the Ministry of Finance — announced an increase in the rates of return on some of its National Savings schemes, effective from May 9, 2023.

Taking to his Twitter handle, CDNS Director General Hamid Raza Khalid wrote that the Savings Account rates have been raised from 18.5% to 19.5%. 

Additionally, Special Savings Certificates will now yield 17.4% compared to the previous rate of 17.13%.

The rates on three-month Short Term Savings Certificates (STSC) have been increased to 20.84%, while the yield of six-month STSC has surged to 20.82%.

Rates on 1-year STSC have also been revised upward to 20.8%. Khalid said the rates on other schemes will remain unchanged. 

CurrentPreviousChange
Defence Saving Certificates (DSC)14.87%14.87%
Bahbood Saving Certificates (BSC)16.56%16.56%
Regular Income Certificates (RIC)12.84%12.84%
Special Saving Certificates (SSC)17.40%17.13%+27
Savings Account (SA)19.50%18.50%+100
Pensioners Benefit Account (PBA)16.56%16.56%
Short Term Saving Certificates (STSC)20.8%19.82%+98

The revision in the rates of National Savings schemes comes after the State Bank of Pakistan raised the key interest rate by 100 basis points, taking it to 21% last month. 

This decision was made due to back-breaking inflation and is expected to remain high in the near future.

The CDNS, which offers saving certificates to individual investors, reinvests the money in government papers like Pakistan Investment Bonds (PIBs) and treasury bills (T-bills).

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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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Business

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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Business

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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