logo
IMF raises eyebrows over Rs344b grant

IMF raises eyebrows over Rs344b grant

Express Tribune20 hours ago

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has raised concerns over provision of Rs344 billion grants to various sectors without approval from the National Assembly.
Sources said the multilateral lender termed the grant for defence, Independent Power Producers (IPPs) and other sectors without the
nod of parliament a violation of the govt-IMF agreement.
The federal government has additionally spent Rs344.66 billion during the current fiscal year in the shape of grants.
The government doled out Rs115 billion to IPPs, Rs30 billion to flood victims in Sindh, and Rs6 billion to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).
Similarly, it spent Rs14 billion on solarization, Rs23 billion on anti-terrorism initiatives, and Rs2 billion on technology upgrades.
Likewise, the government also released Rs3.7 billion for the Reko Diq project, Rs520 million for Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) and Rs7 billion for parliamentarians' schemes.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Energy ministry seeks cabinet nod for fuel levies in line with IMF commitments
Energy ministry seeks cabinet nod for fuel levies in line with IMF commitments

Business Recorder

time10 hours ago

  • Business Recorder

Energy ministry seeks cabinet nod for fuel levies in line with IMF commitments

The Ministry of Energy (Petroleum Division) has proposed amendments to the Petroleum Products (Petroleum Levy) Ordinance, 1961, to introduce new levies on fuel, specifically Carbon Levy and Petroleum Levy (PL) on furnace oil, petrol, and diesel. As per the summary prepared by the ministry for the consideration of the cabinet, under the ongoing International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme for Resilience and Sustainability Financing (RSF), the government has agreed for imposition of Carbon Levy on petrol, diesel and furnace oil along with imposition of Petroleum Levy (PL) on furnace oil. 'This will include supplementary carbon levy levied through the PDL on gasoline and diesel of Rs5 per liter, which will be phased in over two years. As part of this reform, fuel oil will be added to the PDL (PL), with the base and supplementary rate applicable to it. 'The scope, phasing and level of the supplementary carbon levy will be legislated through the FY26 Finance Act. Future Finance Acts will be able to raise the carbon levy beyond this initial rate as required.' Budget 2025-26: Pakistan targets 4.2% growth as Aurangzeb presents proposals 'for a competitive economy' The Ministry of Energy informed that the proposed amendments in the Petroleum Products (Petroleum Levy) Ordinance, 1961, have been incorporated in the draft Finance Bill 2025-26. 'The draft amendments, inter-alia, provide that there shall be levied Carbon Levy at the rate of Rs.2.5/litre on Motor Spirit and High Speed Diesel for FY 2025-26, which shall be enhanced to Rs5/litre for FY 2026-27. 'The Carbon Levy on Furnace Oil shall be levied at the rate of Rs2.5/litre (Rs2,665/MT) for FY 2025-26, which shall be enhanced to Rs5/litre for FY 2026-27 in addition to the Petroleum Levy at the rate notified by the Federal Government.' As per the summary, during the government's negotiations with the IMF, it has been agreed that the Petroleum Levy at the rate of Rs77/liter (Rs82,077/MT) will be imposed on Furnace Oil w.e.f 1st July 2025, upon enactment of the amendments in the PL Ordinance 1961 through Finance Act 2025-26. It shared that under the amended PL Ordinance, 1961, the federal government has been authorised to determine and notify the rates of Petroleum Levy. 'Accordingly, proposals for imposition of Carbon Levy and Petroleum Levy at the rate as specified are submitted for consideration and approval of the Cabinet,' read the summary. It shared that the principles and rates for imposition of both Carbon Levy and PDL have been finalised with the IMF, both by the Finance Division and the Petroleum Division jointly.

Inflation slowdown: relief or a temporary pause?
Inflation slowdown: relief or a temporary pause?

Business Recorder

time18 hours ago

  • Business Recorder

Inflation slowdown: relief or a temporary pause?

Inflation in Pakistan has plunged from 28.3 percent in January 2024 to 2.4 percent in January, 2025 year-on-year, presenting a dramatic shift from a record high of 38 percent in May 2023. This drop offers a respite to millions who have struggled to sustain their livelihoods with this high inflation rate. Is this relief a sustainable or a temporary pause before structural cracks re-emerge? The State Bank of Pakistan's (SBP's) report, in its latest assessment, suggests this slowdown appears a fragile win, driven by short-term factors rather than deep structural reforms. The inflation slowdown presents a complex story. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) basket, which tracks price changes, is primarily composed of food and non-food items. Food inflation, which spiked to 38.5 percent in August 2023, has now decreased to 1.8 percent percent. Several factors explain this dramatic decline including favourable weather conditions, global decline in commodity prices, and government intervention in controlling prices of essential food items, particularly staples. In addition, the non-food component of inflation, particularly energy prices, a key contributor to the CPI basket, has also declined. A global decline in oil prices has contributed to lower energy prices, helping to ease the inflationary pressure. Core inflation (Non-Food Non-Energy) has also declined, necessitating monetary easing. Between 2022 and mid of 2023, the SBP raised its policy rate to a record 22% - a very tight stance. This discouraged borrowing and cooled consumption, reducing inflation to 11.2 percent in May 2024 from 38.5 percent during May 2023. Apart from the above short-term macroeconomic indicators, the IMF-led reforms under the USD 7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF), which was agreed upon in July 2024, also seem to have played a significant role in this slowdown. One significant measure was returning to a market-determined exchange rate, which, after an initial depreciation in rupee, stabilised during the last quarter of 2023, reducing high import cost-induced inflationary pressure. Another significant reform was the aligning of energy tariffs with energy cost, minimising subsidies that had previously been draining fiscal space. These measures together allowed for better resource allocation and eased price pressures over time. Most importantly, the key statistical factor at play is the base effect. Inflation is measured year-on-year, meaning current prices are compared to those in the same month during the previous year. The astronomical price hikes during the last two years, fuelled by global commodity prices hikes and local missteps, are creating an illusion of disinflation. Therefore, even a modest increase in prices in 2024 can appear as a sharp disinflation in statistical terms. This does not imply that the prices are falling; rather, they are rising at a slower pace than an already elevated high baseline of 38 percent in 2023 and 11.3 percent in 2024. Take, for instance, the striking decrease in inflation to 1.5 percent in February 2025, which reflects not only improved macroeconomic management but also a statistical quirk. Imagine a dozen eggs jumping from PKR 100 to PKR 200 last year; an increase to PKR 210 would now seem like a bargain by comparison. So, is this relief or a temporary pause? If we turn to data and evidence, then it would be a temporary respite. The IMF's push for fiscal consolidation and energy reforms has eased the inflationary pressures, alongside factors like oil prices and base effects. However, the analysts caution that this slowdown rests on shaky ground — external loans and decline in import costs, not real economic growth. For now, Pakistanis may breathe easier, but the spectre of inflation's return looms large unless bold, homegrown reforms take root. The government policies now will shape the future inflation trajectory. Take, for example, the global decline in oil prices. If the government passes the savings on to consumers by reducing domestic oil prices, it would deepen the deflationary momentum, offering businesses and households some relief. However, if it chooses to raise the petroleum levy — as recently announced - it may reverse the current deflationary momentum. Moreover, the decline in food prices also poses future challenges. Lower profits may discourage farmers from cultivating certain crops, potentially reducing supply and causing a resurgence of cost-push inflation in future food prices. For example, as reported by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), wheat cultivation area is expected to shrink post government removal of support price since May 2024. Cotton production is also projected to fall to 5.2 million bales in 2024-25, from 7.5 million, jeopardizing textile exports. In conclusion, without meaningful structural reforms, any relief from inflation will be fleeting. Not to forget the sobering part — analysts warn that inflation may rise again as the base-year effect fades. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025

IMF positive after trade deals, tariff cuts
IMF positive after trade deals, tariff cuts

Express Tribune

time19 hours ago

  • Express Tribune

IMF positive after trade deals, tariff cuts

The International Monetary Fund said on Thursday that its next global growth forecast in July will take into account both positive and negative trade developments but declined to predict a tariff-driven GDP downgrade similar to that released by the World Bank this week. IMF spokesperson Julie Kozack said that since the last release of the Fund's World Economic Outlook in April, there have been some positive developments that could support improved economic activity, including a major tariff reduction between the US and China and an initial trade deal between the US and Britain. "So taken together such announcements combined with the April 9 pause on the high level of tariffs, these could support activity relative to the forecast that we had in April," Kozack told a regular IMF news briefing. "But nonetheless, we do have an outlook for the global economy that remains subject to heightened uncertainty, especially as trade negotiations continue."

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store