logo
Gold prices skyrocket in Pakistan as global trade war sparks inflation

Gold prices skyrocket in Pakistan as global trade war sparks inflation

Express Tribune15-03-2025

Listen to article
In response to the US imposing tariffs ranging from 10 to 25 percent on imports from China, Europe, and Mexico, these countries have retaliated by imposing their own tariffs on US imports, triggering a new wave of global inflation.
Amidst this inflationary trend, a growing shift towards gold investment has been observed worldwide, as investors look to protect their capital. This surge in demand has driven gold prices to unprecedented levels, both globally and in Pakistan.
Over the past week, the price of gold per ounce rose by $74, reaching a new record high of $2,984. As a result, gold prices in local markets also saw a significant increase, with the price of one tola rising by Rs7,700.
This increase has pushed the price of one tola of gold to a historic high of Rs313,700, while the price of 10 grams of gold has surged by Rs6,602, reaching Rs268,947.
In addition, silver prices also saw a rise during the week, with the price of one tola increasing by Rs142 to Rs3,530, and the price of 10 grams rising by Rs122 to Rs3,026.
In the midst of this new global trade war, countries such as Russia, China, and India, along with others, are converting their foreign exchange reserves from dollars into gold. This shift comes from concerns that the strengthening of the dollar could lead to the devaluation of their own currencies.
Several countries are selling off their dollar reserves to purchase gold in an effort to reduce the dollar's influence on their economies, while some influential nations are also planning to introduce a new global currency as an alternative to the dollar.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Eid cattle sales now a middlemen's game
Eid cattle sales now a middlemen's game

Express Tribune

time8 hours ago

  • Express Tribune

Eid cattle sales now a middlemen's game

The sale of sacrificial animals has now become a fully commercial and highly profitable business, with the profits increasingly going to middlemen. Both the original owners of the animals — typically farmers and herders — and the end buyers incur losses. As a result, the demand for sacrificial animals continues to decline. According to contractors and livestock traders in Rawalpindi, this year saw a record 30% to 34% drop in the sale of sacrificial animals in the city. If a proper mechanism for the sale and purchase of sacrificial animals is not developed within the next two years, this decline could exceed 50%. A survey shows that immediately after Eidul Fitr, middlemen begin purchasing animals directly from villages through local agents. They pay in advance and transport the animals to their own farms, where they keep them for two months, set their own prices, and earn significant profits. When the moon of Eidul Azha is sighted, these animals are brought to the livestock markets. These middlemen buy animals at cheap rates directly from farmers and livestock owners, who barely make any profit. Meanwhile, consumers are forced to purchase the same animals at much higher prices. In addition, livestock markets have been fully commercialised. The market contractors, who often have no direct involvement with animals, win multimillion-rupee tenders from the municipal or district administration. They then rent out space in the market to livestock traders at rates ranging from Rs500,000 to Rs1 million per kanal for just 10 days. Other costs, such as electricity, water tankers, animal feed, tents for shade, and fans for ventilation, all add to the overall expense. An amount of Rs7,000 entry fee is also charged for a large animal and Rs4,000 for a smaller one. Loading and unloading charges are additional, and all of these expenses ultimately fall on the buyer. Previously, the original animal owners would sell their livestock directly in streets and local markets, with no market fees or middlemen involved. Now, however, what was once a religious tradition has been turned into a profit-driven industry by a growing mafia. Raja Khan, a contractor on High Court Road, explained that he rented one kanal of land for Rs800,000 for 10 days. Daily, he spent Rs3,500 on a water tanker, Rs10,000-15,000 on animal feed, and Rs2,000 on food for his three workers, who also bathed the animals to keep them cool in the summer heat. His electricity bill alone for 10 days was Rs100,000. Khan added even government and police officials didn't pay full price for animals. "Under such conditions, how can we sell animals at cheaper rates?" he said. "Every year, animal prices increase by Rs40,000 to Rs80,000. Within the next three to five years, sales may drop by 70%, and prices could rise by 50% to 70%." Contractor Irshad Abbasi says if market tender fees are abolished, animal prices could drop by 30% to 40% in a single day. He held the middlemen and administration responsible for the rising prices, adding: "When livestock markets are auctioned for Rs150 million to Rs180m, how can animals be sold cheaply?" This year, even on the eve of Eid, sales remained sluggish. By 9pm on Chand Raat, the market had essentially collapsed. Prices were reduced by up to 30%, but most genuine buyers had already left. As a result, many animals went unsold. Some were purchased by butchers at the last moment. Those who came after 9pm were able to buy good animals at 30% to 40% lower prices. Another major reason for the decline in sacrificial activity is the Rs 20,000 slaughtering fee for cows and bulls.

Gold price per tola fall Rs6,100 in Pakistan
Gold price per tola fall Rs6,100 in Pakistan

Business Recorder

time18 hours ago

  • Business Recorder

Gold price per tola fall Rs6,100 in Pakistan

Gold prices in Pakistan decreased on Tuesday in line with their fall in the international market. In the local market, gold price per tola reached Rs352,300 after a decline of Rs6,100 during the day. Similarly, 10-gram gold was sold at Rs302,040 after it fell Rs5,230, according to the rates shared by the All-Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Sarafa Association (APGJSA). On June 5, gold price per tola reached Rs358,400 after a surge of Rs4,300 during the day. The bullion market was closed on from June 6 till June 9 due to Eid-ul-Adha holidays. The international rate of gold also decreased on Tuesday. The rate was at $3,339 per ounce (with a premium of $20), a decrease of $61, as per APGJSA. Meanwhile, silver price per tola remained stable at Rs3,745.

Govt releases detail of Rs17tr Uraan Pakistan
Govt releases detail of Rs17tr Uraan Pakistan

Express Tribune

time4 days ago

  • Express Tribune

Govt releases detail of Rs17tr Uraan Pakistan

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal inaugurate the logo, website and a book on Uraan Pakistan. The event was also attended by Sindh, Balochistan and K-P governors and federal and provincial ministers. Photo: PPI The federal government has released details of a five-year development plan — the Uraan Pakistan — estimated at Rs17 trillion, whose objective, according to Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal, is to make Pakistan economically self-sufficient. Under the plan, the federal share will be Rs7 trillion, while the provinces will contribute Rs10 trillion. Ahsan Iqbal said the target is to transform Pakistan into a $3 trillion economy by 2047. For this, the development budget for the upcoming fiscal year 2025-26 has been set at Rs4.2 trillion. Under the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP), the government has allocated Rs1 trillion in federal funding. The government has allocated Rs33 billion for the Diamer-Bhasha Dam; Rs35 billion for the Mohmand Dam; Rs100 billion for the Quetta-Karachi Highway; Rs25 billion for the Indus Highway; Rs15 billion for the Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway and Rs10 billion for Karachi's K-IV water project. In the education sector, the government has earmarked Rs9 billion for Danish Schools and Rs4.3 billion for the Prime Minister's Skills Programme. It has allocated Rs1 billion for the treatment of Hepatitis C and Rs800 million for diabetes. The government has reduced the number of federal projects for the next five years from 1,071 to 800, eliminating low-priority and inactive projects. This reduction is expected to save the national exchequer Rs2.73 trillion. The federal development portfolio has now been limited to Rs12.8 trillion. The government has also established national centers for nanotechnology, quantum computing, and new industries, laying the foundation for the creation of a 'Quantum Valley' in Pakistan. According to the report, inflation dropped from 11.8% to 3.5% by May 2025 while the current account surplus reached $1.9 billion. Remittances also increased by 31%, reaching a total of $31.2 billion and the fiscal deficit decreased from 3.7% to 2.6% By eliminating unnecessary projects, the government saved Rs5.4 billion in April alone and 27 projects were approved or proposed in May 2025. The planning minister said 210 out of 240 PSDP projects have been thoroughly evaluated. Consultations regarding development partnerships were held with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), and the World Bank.

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