THE signs are coming but the verdict is still awaited. Early indications suggest the much-vaunted economic stabilisation that we have seen since July 2023 is now hitting its peak, and from here on the government will struggle to keep things under control. The key is in the external sector, which measures the inflows and outflows of foreign exchange, primarily dollars. In the period from July to
LAST month’s $420m current account deficit reflects the pressure of debt payment and a rising import bill on Pakistan’s balance-of-payments position, amid drying up foreign loans and falling foreign private investment. This gap most likely marks a temporary reversal of the earlier trend of continuous surplus posted for five consecutive months — August to December — on account of a substantial boos
The foreign direct investment (FDI) surged 56 per cent in the first seven months of FY25. The State Bank reported on Tuesday that the FDI increased by $548 million, or 56pc, to $1.523 billion during July-January FY25 compared to $975m a year ago. The growth is impressive, but the size of the FDI was the poorest in the region. The government has been trying to attract foreign investments but
The government raised Rs690 billion through auctioning treasury bills (T-bills) and Pakistan Investment Bonds (PIBs) on Wednesday. Against the PIBs’ auction target of Rs350bn, the government raised Rs431.3bn — Rs23.6bn for five years, Rs403.6bn for 10 years and Rs4bn through non-biddings. In the case of T-bills, the government raised Rs258.8bn against the target of Rs350bn. The investors we
The 10-gram and one-tola gold rates on Wednesday hit an all-time high of Rs264,060 and Rs308,000, showing a jump of Rs3,258 and Rs3,800, respectively. According to the All Pakistan Sarafa Gems and Jewellers Association (APSGJA), world gold price came under further pressure, rising to a record $2,944 per ounce, up by $34 from Tuesday, after US President Donald Trump threatened to impose a 25pc t