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Gold glitters again as record high inflation boosts demand

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  • Gold price settles at Rs141,000 per tola.
  • A surge of over 1.43% per tola snapped four-day losing streak of gold.
  • Silver prices plummet by Rs50 per tola.

KARACHI: Gold prices rose on Thursday, as skyrocketing inflation dulled risk appetite and boosted demand for the safe-haven metal, although an advancing Pakistani rupee limited bullion’s gains.

Data released by All Sindh Sarafa Association showed that the gold price in Pakistan surged by Rs2,000 per tola and Rs1,715 per 10 grams to settle at Rs141,000 and Rs120,885.

A surge of over 1.43% per tola snapped the four-day losing streak of the yellow metal during which the price of gold declined by Rs8,100 in the local market.

Record high Pakistan’s consumer price index-bases inflation surged to a multi-decade high of 27.3% in August which pushed the gold price to a one-and-a-half-year-high.

The safe-haven asset reversed its downtrend today as multi-year high inflation data boosted the appeal of the asset; however, the appreciation of the Pakistani rupee was pulling at the heels of the gold market and limiting its upside.

Gold is traditionally seen as an inflation hedge. However, reduced central bank interest rate hikes tend to push government bond yields up, translating into a higher opportunity cost for holding gold that pays no interest.

Gold is considered a hedge against inflation, but interest rate hikes would raise the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding bullion.

In the international market, the price of yellow metal plunged by $13 per ounce to settle at $1,702. Gold prices briefly slid below the key $1,700 psychological level for the first time in six weeks, as major central banks stuck to an aggressive stance to combat inflation, dulling demand for non-yielding bullion.

It should be noted that the gold price stands below cost and is cheaper by Rs3,000 per tola compared to Dubai.

Meanwhile, silver prices in the domestic market plummeted by Rs50 per tola and Rs42.87 per 10 grams to settle at Rs1,470 per tola and Rs1,260.28 per 10 grams today.

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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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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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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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