Business

Should Pakistan discontinue the Rs5,000 currency note?

Published

1 year ago

Farwa

KARACHI: Former chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Shabbar Zaidi on Thursday insisted that the discontinuation of Rs5,000 note and curbs on the physical movement of dollars is key to curbing the cash economy in the country.

The financial expert made these remarks on Geo News show Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath just hours after a fake notification fuelled rumours among the people claiming that the government has decided to ban the note of the highest denomination.

Zaidi maintained that currency circulation is very high in Pakistan and the Rs5,000 note provides convenience in the cash economy, adding that people have kept wealth in their lockers in dollars and Rs5,000, which should be banned.

“What will a person do with cash dollars in Pakistan, if anyone is seen with the greenback, should be arrested until he proves where the dollars came from.”

This is fake. The Govt of Pakistan shall act against the people spreading this kind of fake news to create chaos.
یہ جھوٹا نوٹیفکیشن ہے۔
حکومتِ پاکستان ایسے جھوٹے نوٹیفیکیشن پھیلانے والوں کیخلاف سخت کارروائی کرے گی۔
👇 pic.twitter.com/9yU3DlM5UK
— Murtaza Solangi (@murtazasolangi) September 7, 2023

50% of the people will not encash if they are asked to deposit the note in banks, Zaidi added, and cited the example of India which discontinued the Rs2,000 note some time ago in a bid to curb corruption.

He, however, suggested the authorities give some time to the holders so that they can exchange it.

“I spoke about shutting down exchange companies, now people have understood the reason behind it. The work of the exchange companies should be given to the banks, these companies will be abolished in a year. There are no exchange companies anywhere in the world except Dubai. By establishing exchange companies, the dollar has technically been made the currency of Pakistan.”

‘Discontinuation of Rs5,000 will create uncertainty’

On the other hand, former finance minister Miftah Ismail has strongly opposed the idea, saying the move will only create uncertainty and fear and will not solve the problem we are trying to address.

MIftah Ismail shared that the Indian economy suffered a setback of 1-2% due to this.

The former minister mentioned that people do find ways to avoid restrictions and every note of Rs2,000 was encashed in India.

“It is not proved anywhere in the world that discontinuation of currency stops corruption.”

Opposing Zaidi’s idea, Ismail said it would increase dollarisation.

He credited the appreciation in rupee value to an increase in confidence after the recent meeting of military leadership with the businessmen.

“Smuggling of petroleum products from Iran is necessary,” Ismail added.

Business

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

Published

2 days ago

Farwa

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.

Business

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

Published

1 week ago

Farwa

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.

Business

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

Published

1 week ago

Farwa

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.