Connect with us

Business

Pakistan again seeks US help to unlock stalled IMF programme

Published

on

  • US Ambassador Donald Blome calls on Ishaq Dar.
  • “Dar asks envoy to help in unlocking critial IMF loan”.
  • Hopes are diminishing for revival of IMF programme.

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Ishaq Dar has again sought the United States’ help to unlock the stalled $1.1 billion International Monetary Fund loan, sources told Geo News Wednesday.

The US is a significant player in the IMF, and Pakistan seeks to use its position as a long-time ally for concluding the Extended Fund Facility’s ninth review.

The development came during Dar’s meeting with US Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome.

“[Both sides] discussed matters of mutual interest between the two countries,” a statement from the Ministry of Finance read.

Despite several attempts from the Pakistani side, hopes are diminishing for the revival of the IMF programme, which will expire on June 30.

The IMF sent out its review mission on January 31 to February 9, 2023, but the Staff Level Agreement (SLA) could not be signed.

The lender placed strict conditions before signing the SLA, which Pakistan said had already been met.

Minister for Finance Dar held virtual meetings with the IMF high-ups in April to strike a consensus but failed to break the ice between the two sides.

Then the prime minister made a telephone call to IMF MD and discussed issues for the revival of the stalled programme. However, nothing substantial was achieved.

Later, IMF Resident Chief Esther Perez Ruiz issued a statement criticising the budget 2023-24.

The Ministry of Finance also issued a statement in its response, but both sides showed commitment to remain engaged for the conclusion of the pending ninth review.

Pakistan has also asked the Washington-based lender to arrange a meeting of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva on the sidelines of the upcoming New Global Financing Pact Summit being held in Paris from June 22-23.

“If this request is turned down, then there will be no possibility of reviving the Fund programme under the $6.7 billion Extended Fund Facility. However, if the meeting is held and both sides achieve a breakthrough, then chances of reviving the programme will brighten,” a top official said while talking to The News on Tuesday.

Foreign exchange reserves held by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) stand at around $4 billion, enough to cover less than a month’s imports.

Business

With its second-largest surge ever, PSX approaches 114,000 points.

Published

on

By

Driven by renewed activity from both private and government financial institutions, the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) saw its second-largest rally in history on Monday.

The market regained many important levels in a single trading session as it rose with previously unheard-of momentum.

Intraday trading saw a top increase of 4,676 points, and the PSX’s benchmark KSE-100 Index gained 4,411 points to settle at 113,924 points. This impressive rebound demonstrated significant investor confidence by reestablishing the 100,000, 111,000, 112,000, and 113,000-point levels.

The market also saw the 114,000-point limit reestablished during the trading session.

The positive tendency was reflected when the market’s heavyweight shares touched its upper circuits. Among the most busiest trading sessions in recent memory, an astounding 85.78 billion shares worth a total of Rs55 billion were exchanged.

Experts credited the spike to heightened institutional investor activity and hope for macroeconomic recovery. Considered a major market recovery, the rally demonstrated the market’s tenacity and development potential.

Continue Reading

Business

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

Published

on

By

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.

Continue Reading

Business

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

Published

on

By

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.

Continue Reading

Trending