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Pakistan, IMF discuss energy sector losses in virtual talks

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  • Govt shares new Circular Debt Management Plan with IMF.
  • FPA and quarterly tariff adjustment to be revised upward.
  • IMF asks govt to chalk out effective strategy to tackle this issue.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) discussed the energy sector losses in the context of a cut in the circular debt during the current fiscal year in a virtual meeting on Wednesday, The News reported.

With the goal of eliminating the accumulation of circular debt, the government showed its commitment to adjusting the fuel prices and the quarterly tariff.

The government also shared a new Circular Debt Management Plan (CDMP) with the lender for which the baseline tariff was previously increased.

Now the fuel price adjustment (FPA) and quarterly tariff adjustment would be revised upward in order to reduce accumulation of the circular debt. The IMF team raised the issue of the sustainability of the CDMP as the pace of recoveries declined.

The government was asked to chalk out an effective strategy to tackle this issue. This meeting was held virtually at the technical level and it was expected that the newly inducted Minister for Finance Dr Shamshad Akhtar might hold a meeting with the IMF team virtually in the coming weeks.

The IMF mission is expected to hold the first review in October or November on the basis of official macroeconomic figures for the first quarter (July-Sept) period of the current fiscal year.

Pakistan and the IMF struck $3 billion bailout package under Standby Arrangement (SBA) in July 2023, out of which Islamabad so far secured $1.2 billion as upfront installment.

Now, two reviews would be done to release the remaining $1.8 billion till the end of March/April 2024.

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

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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.

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

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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.

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

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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.

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