Business

Nishat Chunian announces partial shutdown of operations

Published

2 years ago

Farwa

Nishat Chunian says it would suspend operations at nearly one-fourth of its spindles.
Says will restart spindles as soon as market conditions improve.
Textile manufacturer latest to announce suspension of operations.

KARACHI: One of Pakistan’s largest textile companies Nishat Chunian Limited (NCL) has announced a partial shutdown of operations from next month due to the current market conditions, reported The News on Thursday.

In a statement to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), the textile manufacturer informed that it would suspend operations at nearly one-fourth of its spindles temporarily until the market revamps.

“The company has decided to temporarily close 51,360 spindles after one month due to market conditions. However, the remaining units are operating normally. Company will restart these spindles as soon as market conditions improve,” the stock filing read.

Nishat Chunian has an installed capacity of 219,528 spindles and 2,880 rotors in its spinning division.

The textile manufacturer is the latest to announce operations suspension amid a prevailing economic downtrend in the country. Earlier this month, Kohinoor Spinning Mills Limited (KOSM) also announced the suspension of its operations giving multiple reasons.

“Due to prevailing global and economic downturn, overdue plant maintenance, high cost of production and low price and demand, it is not feasible to operate the production facility,” the KOSM said in a statement.

Pakistan has been facing multiple challenges, including low foreign exchange reserves, lack of foreign inflows, rising debt, energy shortages, and political uncertainty affecting the country’s economy, which is collectively pushing many companies to limit or shut down their operations.

Others companies that have recently announced the suspension of their operations include Indus Motor Company, Pak Suzuki Motor Company Ltd, Bolan Castings Limited and Baluchistan Wheels Ltd. Millat Tractors Limited has also been observing non-production days on Fridays since December 16.

Curbs by the government to reduce the size of its import bill have severely affected the export sector, especially textiles, which hold the lion’s share in the country’s exports. Delays in rebate and rising inflation have also contributed to a decline in Pakistan’s exports in recent months.

In November, the textile exports were down by 19% year on year. The country’s big manufacturing industries, including food, textile, petroleum oil, pharmaceutical and automobiles also reported a drop of 7.75% in October 2022, compared to the same month last year.

Last week, the All-Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) warned that the country’s textile exports could fall below $1 billion a month from 2023 onwards, seeking government intervention to save the sector from destruction.

“Across the country, the textile industry is currently using less than 50% of its capacity. If corrective action is not done quickly, a very significant number of jobs have already been lost and many more will do so,” APTMA said in a letter written to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PHMEA) also expressed serious concerns over a declining trend in textile exports in a statement last month.

The textile exports had dropped by 1.34% to $5.941 billion during the first four months of July-Oct in the current fiscal year, against $6.021 billion in the same period of last year, the association said.

Business

Gold prices in Pakistan approach an all-time high.

Published

21 hours ago

Farwa

Following a substantial surge the prior day, gold prices in Pakistan are ascending to unprecedented levels with an additional gain on Thursday, coinciding with a rise in global precious metal rates.

The price of 24-karat gold in the local market rose by Rs700 per tola, reaching Rs277,900, as reported by the All-Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Sarafa Association (APGJSA).

Likewise, the cost of 10 grams of 24-karat gold increased by Rs600, currently priced at Rs238,254.

Globally, gold prices exhibited an upward trend, increasing by $7 throughout the day. The APGJSA reports that the international gold price was $2,682 per ounce.

Notwithstanding the increase in gold prices, the silver market exhibited stability, with the price of silver maintained at Rs3,050 per tola.

In the previous month, gold prices in Pakistan reached an unprecedented high of Rs 277,000 a tola, driven by substantial gains in the worldwide market.

Business

World Bank: Power industry subsidies soar by 400% in just five years.

Published

21 hours ago

Farwa

Ninety-four percent of domestic customers will benefit from the budgetary subsidy in 2024, according to a World Bank report, which credits the increase in protected consumers with contributing to the weight of subsidies.

In the current fiscal year, the electricity sector subsidy has increased by an astounding Rs. 954 billion, from Rs. 236 billion in the 2020 fiscal year to Rs. 1190 billion.

Notwithstanding changes, the circular debt has averaged Rs. 400 billion yearly over the last four years due to the incapacity to minimize losses and inadequate recovery of electricity payments.

According to the World Bank, the government must solve the fundamental problems in the power industry in order to lower the burden of subsidies and circular debt, as rising electricity prices and inadequate tax collection will only serve to worsen the circular debt crisis.

The rise in Pakistan’s power sector circular debt has raised worries from the World Bank (WB) despite an unprecedented increase in energy pricing.

Within the last six years, the debt has grown by 1241 billion rupees, according to the World Bank’s study. Between 2019 and 2021, the debt climbed by 1128 billion rupees.

The electricity sector’s circular debt has been increasing at an alarming rate, according to a World Bank analysis. Between 2022 and 2024, there was a substantial increase of 113 billion rupees.

Pakistan’s electricity industry has 2393 billion rupees in total circular debt as of 2024.

Restructuring is required to solve the circular debt issue, according to the World Bank.

Business

Final settlement: Govt to pay five IPPs Rs 72 billion.

Published

22 hours ago

Farwa

On October 10, Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif declared that the agreements with five IPPS would be terminated in the first phase. Sources claim that the government will give Rs 15.5 billion to Rousch Power and Rs 36.5 billion to Hubco.

In a same vein, the federal government would pay Lalpir Power Rs 12.8 billion, Atlas Power Rs 15.5 billion, and Sapphire Power Rs 6 billion.

The sources state that late payment fees are not included in the settlement. With effect from October 1, the agreements with the five IPPs will be considered officially ended.

PM Shehbaz earlier remarked that the termination was carried out with the owners of the IPPs’ mutual permission while presiding over the federal cabinet meeting in Islamabad.

The Prime Minister notified the Cabinet that the only money that will be paid, interest-free, to these IPPs is the outstanding balance.

According to him, the national exchequer will gain over 411 billion rupees from the termination of these contracts, while power customers will save roughly sixty billion rupees.

According to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, it was the result of the arduous teamwork of the entire government. In this regard, he also acknowledged the contributions and assistance of the associated parties. He specifically mentioned General Asim Munir, the Chief of Army Staff, who showed a personal interest in the situation.

The prime minister characterized the development as the start of a trip that will ultimately lead to the advancement and prosperity of the populace.

PM Shehbaz Sharif also brought up the assistance that the Punjabi and Federal governments gave to power users over the summer.