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LATEST ARTICLES
‘We have completed all the tasks given by IMF’: Raza Baqir
June 17, 2019 (MLN): The governor of State Bank of Pakistan Raza Baqir, in a press conference held today, said he was pleased to play a role in the overall process of reaching an agreement with the IMF, as he had a prior experience of working with the fund.
He informed that IMF will be holding a board meeting on July 3, 2019, following which all the important documents shall be made public.
“Historically, we have seen that the economy has benefited greatly from IMF in the form of sharp improvement in asset market, equity market and remittances”, he said.
He said that the remittances sent by overseas investors had also increased significantly after the agreement, as these investors got a signal that the economy was being supported financially by international communities.
He assured that Pakistan was heading towards stability as the economic team of the country, which comprises of Central Bank, was striving hard to address and overcome the issue of twin deficits.
Copyright Mettis Link News
Govt will not borrow from SBP in FY20: Governor SBP
June 17, 2019 (MLN): The government will not borrow funds from the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) in upcoming fiscal year 2019-2020, said governor central bank Mr. Reza Baqir.
At a press conference that aired live on SBP’s official social media handle, the governor spoke on Pakistan’s economic outlook and the role of SBP in it, stating that instead of borrowing from the SBP, the government will borrow directly from the market.
“We have adopted market based policy and SBP will monitor the demand and supply within the economy,” he said.
Apart from this, he also opined that free float is not suitable for the Pakistan. Sentiments sometimes cast a shadow on the fundamental requirements and free float is not our policy, he said.
Upholding the persistently sliding value of PKR at interbank, the governor said that depreciation helps in improving the external deficit, adding that the government has resolved to put the economy back on track and is taking suitable steps to reduce the twin deficit.
“While the exchange rate change has helped control the imports we are working on several other proposals to increase exports. The currency has recently witnessed a two way movement. Before Eid, the rupee hit 152 per USD and also saw the 148 per USD level.”
He pointed out that the inflows surged which had helped the local currency to gain, however it depreciated because of seasonal factors.
“Before June close several companies have to clear their debts which put a heavy pressure of the rupee.”
The incumbent government’s primary aim is to reduce uncertainty and to reduce poverty from the country.
In response to a representative for Mettis Link News, when asked if the SBP is comfortable with the positive interest rate differential between interest rates and the rate of inflation, governor SBP responded that for the future, “we would like to add flexible inflation targeting framework and would give target assessments in July at the next Monetary policy meeting where we will assess the inflation data and see whether further tightening is a requirement."
Copyright Mettis Link News
KP to get Rs 533,261 mln share from federal divisible pool in FY 2019-20
Jun 17, 2019: Federal government has allocated Rs 533,261 million share in federal divisible pool 2019-20, inclusive of one percent war on terror for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
The PSDP document revealed that the share of KP has been increased by Rs 129,230 million as compare to the outgoing fiscal year 2018-19.
It said that during the current fiscal year Rs 426,095 million share was earmarked which was later revised to Rs 4040,031 million.
The official document further new NFC award would be announced as soon as the consensus among all stakeholders is arrived on 9th NFC award. However, the ongoing 7th NFC award will remain operative till a new award is concluded and implemented.
APP
IRSA releases 294,200 cusecs water
Jun 17, 2019: The Indus River System Authority (IRSA) Monday released 294,200 cusecs water from various rim stations with inflow of 250,700 cusecs.
According to the data released by IRSA, water level in the Indus River at Tarbela Dam was 1393.15 feet, which was 7.15 feet higher than its dead level of 1,386 feet. Water inflow in the dam was recorded as 91,500 cusecs while outflow as 106,000 cusecs.
The water level in the Jhelum River at Mangla Dam was 1159.30 feet, which was 119.30 feet higher than its dead level of 1,040 feet whereas the inflow and outflow of water was recorded as 56,000 cusecs and 85,000 cusecs respectively.
The release of water at Kalabagh, Taunsa and Sukkur was recorded as 170,400, 144,400 and 26,200 cusecs respectively.
Similarly from the Kabul River, 58,000 cusecs of water was released at Nowshera and 15,300 cusecs from the Chenab River at Marala.
APP
Federal Govt allocates Rs15bln for Mohmand Dam in PSDP 2019-20
Jun 17, 2019: The Federal Government has allocated Rs15 billion for multifaceted Mohmand dam in Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) 2019-20, a project for which the Government ran massive fund raising campaign and generated over Rs9 billion, indicating PTI's Government resolve to expeditious completion of the mega project to overcome energy crisis in the country.
The federal government allocation would help ensure its expeditious completion of the mega project with capacity to generate 800 megawatt electricity and water storage of 1.2 million acre feet (MAF) for benefits of the country.
"With allocation of such huge amount, it has been cleared now that the government has showed unflinching resolve and commitment to complete this much delayed project at earliest to meet the country's energy and water requirements besides provision of clean drinking water facilities to the inhabitants of Peshawar," senior economics Sumbul Riaz told on Monday.
She said thousands of acres of land especially in northern districts of Khyber Pakthunkhwa including Charssadda and Mohmand tribal districts would be irrigated after its construction besides give enormous boost to agriculture, horticulture, floriculture and others key sectors in the province.
On May 2, 2019, Prime Minister Imran Khan has performed the ground breaking of this much-awaited Mohmand dam project.
Mohmand dam is being constructed on River Swat about 48 kilometers from Peshawar in Mohmand tribal district and the dam's reservoir area extends upstream to Mohmand and Bajaur districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Its construction will help national power policy achieve the dual goals of meeting Pakistan's energy needs in a sustainable manner and ensuring generation of affordable electricity, while helping to reduce existing energy's supply gap.
The senior economist said PTI govt has presented a goal-oriented and energy friendly budget in which much maximum amount was allocated for dams projects including Rs 20 billion for Diamir Bhasha dam and land acquisition, Rs15 billion for Mohmand Dam and Rs 54.68 billion for Dasu Kohistan Hydropower Project.
She said the construction of 213 meter high Mohmand dam will help counter risk of flood damages in future and its reservoir would control rivers flow and minimize intensity of floods downstream.
Had Mohmand dam been constructed in the past the huge devastations caused by 2010 flood could have been averted to a great extent.
Senior economics Professor Dr Muhammad Naeem said allocation of such huge amount for Mohmand dam in PSDP would help expedite work on this gigantic project on fast track basis.
He said the project will lead to enhance the agricultural capacity and production at downstream through raising two canals at Charsadda district, adding PC-I of Mohmand dam amounting to Rs. 309.556billion including land acquisition and resettlement has been approved by ECNEC.
The project is scheduled to be completed in five years and on completion will store about 1.2 million acre feet (MAF) of water that would bring green revolution in the province.
The project will alleviate poverty by providing job opportunities to thousands of people and labourers besides locals in the project area and its annual benefits are estimated about Rs 51.6 billion.
He said clean drinking water to people of Peshawar is being emerged as serious problems and we need such like dams to fulfill people's potable water demands for next 50 years.
He said the project will supply 13.32 million cubic meter water from Mohmand dam Reservoir to Peshawar city.
APP
Closing Bell: And another dip…
June 17, 2019 (MLN): The four day long ascent that had been leading the market participants deeper into the green zone, observed an abrupt dip at today’s intraday trade of securities as the trading floors witnessed profit-taking and sell-off.
The benchmark KSE-100 index ended the session with a 404 points or 1.14 percent decline to close at 35,168 points.
The Index traded in a range of 514 points or 1.45 percent of previous close, showing an intraday high of 35,624 and a low of 35,109.
Of the 93 traded companies in the KSE-100 Index 20 closed up 71 closed down, while 2 remained unchanged. Total volume traded for the index was 87.30 million shares.
Sector wise, the index was let down by Commercial Banks with 117 points, Oil & Gas Exploration Companies with 77 points, Fertilizer with 64 points, Power Generation & Distribution with 28 points and Pharmaceuticals with 21 points.
The most points taken off the index was by MCB which stripped the index of 30 points followed by FFC with 30 points, OGDC with 28 points, PPL with 24 points and LUCK with 23 points.
On the other hand, the All Share Volume decreased by 39.74 Million to 128.14 Million Shares. Market Cap decreased by Rs.77.80 Billion.
Total companies traded were 347 compared to 338 from the previous session. Of the scrips traded 89 closed up, 236 closed down while 22 remained unchanged.
Total trades decreased by 18,921 to 44,379.
Value Traded decreased by 2.60 Billion to Rs.4.96 Billion
| Company | Volume |
|---|---|
| Maple Leaf Cement Factory | 13,819,500 |
| TRG Pakistan | 11,376,500 |
| Jahangir Siddiqui & Co. Ltd. | 10,433,000 |
| Descon Oxychem | 7,155,000 |
| Fauji Cement Company | 5,254,500 |
| EFU General Insurance | 5,133,500 |
| The Bank of Punjab | 3,932,000 |
| D.G. Khan Cement Company | 3,907,000 |
| Engro Polymer & Chemicals | 3,877,500 |
| K-Electric | 3,664,500 |
| Sector | Volume |
|---|---|
| Cement | 30,742,700 |
| Technology & Communication | 18,185,900 |
| Chemical | 15,247,150 |
| Inv. Banks / Inv. Cos. / Securities Cos. | 11,539,000 |
| Commercial Banks | 6,334,100 |
| Oil & Gas Marketing Companies | 6,206,500 |
| Insurance | 5,815,000 |
| Power Generation & Distribution | 4,716,000 |
| Oil & Gas Exploration Companies | 3,805,700 |
| Engineering | 3,626,400 |
Copyright Mettis Link News
Hafeez Shaikh chairs meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Privatization
June 17, 2019 (MLN): Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh on Monday chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Privatization, wherein the Ministry of Energy briefed the Committee about the challenges being faced by the DISCOs.
The meeting discussed various measures for improving the performance of energy sector and enhancing the efficiency of DISCOs.
The committee directed Ministry of Energy to submit proposals aimed at accelerating closure of GENCOs that have outlived their recommended life and are running into losses.
Privatization of Pakistan Steel Mills was also discussed during the meeting.
The committee directed Ministry of Industries and Production and Privatization Commission to submit their proposals in the next CCoP.
Issue of delisting of House Building Finance Corporation Limited (HBFC) from the privatization list was also recommended to be presented in the next meeting.
Copyright Mettis Link News
Rupee touches another all time low of 156.96 per Dollar
June 17, 2019 (MLN): Pakistani rupee (PKR) depreciated by 1.1 rupees against US Dollar (USD) in today's interbank session as the currency closed the day's trade at PKR 156.96 per USD, against last session's closing of PKR 155.85 per USD.
The Rupee endured a volatile trading session, with the value of the currency trading in a range of 1.00 Rupee per USD showing an intraday high bid of 157 and an intraday Low offer of 156.5
Alternatively, the currency gained 2.5 rupees against the Pound Sterling as the day's closing quote stood at PKR 197.54 per GBP, while the previous session closed at PKR 197.04 per GBP.
On the other hand, PKR's value weakened by 43 paisa against EUR which closed at PKR 176.05 at the interbank today.
Within the Open Market, PKR was traded at 155/157 per USD.
On another note, within the money market, the overnight repo rate towards close of the session was 12.35/12.45 percent, whereas the 1 week rate was 12.30/12.40 percent.
Copyright Mettis Link News
Arif Alvi calls for enhancing bilateral trade between Pakistan and Argentina
June 17, 2019: President Dr. Arif Alvi, in a meeting with the outgoing Ambassador of Argentina, Ivan Ivanissevich on Monday, underscored the need to enhance bilateral trade between the two countries, as it was not commensurate with its actual potential.
“Pakistan and Argentina enjoy friendly and cordial relation characterized by cooperation at international fora and shared perceptions and understanding on most major global and regional issues," the president said.
He called for further strengthening the bilateral relations for mutual benefit of the people of the two countries.
The president urged the Argentinean businessmen to explore investment opportunities in Pakistan and benefit from the investment friendly policies of Pakistan in areas like oil and gas exploration, agriculture and energy, apart from the projects being executed along the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.
He hoped that Argentina would extend its support for signing of a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) between Pakistan and MERCOSUR, Southern Common Market.
The ambassador thanked the government and people of Pakistan for his pleasant stay in Pakistan and hoped that bilateral relations between the two countries would further strengthen in the days to come.
APP/AFP
Weekly SPI Increases by 0.31 Percent
Jun 17, 2019 (MLN): The Weekly Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) for the Combined Group increased by 0.31% during the week ended Jun 13, 2019 while the SPI increased by 13.12% compared to the corresponding period from last year.
According to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) the Combined Index was at 257.63 compared to 256.83 on Jun 03, 2019 while the index was recorded at 227.74 a year ago, on Jun 13, 2018
Out of the 53 monitored items, the average price of 20 items increased, 8 items decreased whereas 25 items registered no change during the week.
The weekly SPI percentage change by income groups showed that SPI increased across all quantiles ranging between 0.23% and 0.59%.
The Lowest Income Group witnessed a weekly increase of 0.59% while the highest income group recorded an increase of 0.23%.
On a yearly basis, analysis of SPI change across different income segments showed that SPI increased across all quantiles ranging between 10.29% and 17.01%.
Yearly SPI for the Lowest Income Group increased by 11.13% while the highest income group recorded an increase of 17.01%.
The average price of Sona urea stood at Rs.1872 per 50 kg bag which is 0.81% higher than last week’s price and 22.43% higher when compared to last year.
Meanwhile, average Cement price was recorded at Rs.571 per 50 kg bag, which is 5.16% higher than the previous week and 1.78% higher than prices last year.
Copyright Mettis Link News
