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Price of petrol, diesel may increase by Rs32 per litre from Feb 16

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  • US dollar exchange rate stands at 271.82 for next fortnight.
  • Mogas price would likely go up by 12.8% per litre.
  • Price of diesel could rise by 12.5%.

ISLAMABAD: In yet another hike, the prices of petroleum products may increase by over Rs32/litre from February 16 (tomorrow) owing to the US dollar exchange rate, The News reported. 

Petroleum, oil and lubricants prices closed at Rs236.40 per dollar which currently stands at 271.82 for the next fortnight. However, the free-on-board Platt prices saw a decline as compared to last fortnight’s pricing.

As per the official and industrial sources, the Mogas price would likely go up by 12.8% per litre or by Rs32.07 to stand at Rs281.87 from Rs249.8 per litre. 

Similarly, the price of diesel could rise by 12.5% or by Rs32.84 to stand at Rs295.64 from Rs262.8 per litre previously.

Kerosene oil price was forecast to increase 14.8% or by Rs28.05 to stand at Rs217.88 per litre, while light diesel oil (LDO) could go up 5.3% or by Rs9.90 to stand at Rs196.90 from Rs187 per litre set in the last review.

The above prices have been assumed based on the current government taxes and estimated Pakistan State Oil (PSO) incidentals. The government might adjust the exchange rate at over Rs251 with an increase of Rs15 per litre for both products of Mogas and diesel. The petroleum levy for diesel which stands at Rs40 could increase by Rs10 to Rs50 from February 16.

The government had earmarked the target to get a revenue of Rs850 billion by imposing a petroleum levy on petroleum, oil and lubricants, but the shortfall in this head has been estimated at Rs250 billion, and the authorities have pinned hopes on getting a revenue of Rs600 billion.

The government had carried out a massive increase of Rs35 per litre from February 1, 2023, till February 15.

Currently, the government is charging Rs50 per litre petroleum levy, whereas the general sales tax (GST) has not been imposed yet.

The official said that the exchange rate losses to the refineries and oil marketing companies (OMCs) would be done away with in a staggered manner later on as the government right now does not want to pass the full exchange rate on to the consumers.

The last increase in prices of petroleum products was made in the review on January 29, 2021, by the federal government.

Pakistan is currently facing a short supply of petrol, with its most populous province, Punjab bearing the brunt of the crisis, which was being blamed on petroleum dealers.

It has also been alleged that hoarders were holding onto petrol stocks in anticipation of a price hike scheduled on February 15 (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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