News

IMF unimpressed by plan to contain Rs952b circular debt

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) asked Pakistan on Wednesday to plug unbudgeted Rs675 billion power subsidies with a mix of electricity tariff increase and other revenue enhancing measures, while finding serious deficiencies in the revised ‘Circular Debt Management Plan’ (CDMP) of Rs952 billion. During the first review of the revised plan that was prepared by the Power Division, the IMF te

Stocks rally on optimism as talks with IMF begin

Bulls led the charge on the Pakistan Stock Exchange on Tuesday, thanks to the optimism shown by investors about the ongoing negotiations between the government and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Arif Habib Ltd said the level of investors’ involvement remained adequate owing to the potential outcome of the IMF talks. “We recommend investors should avail any downside as an opportunity

The case for sovereign default

THE word ‘default’ (or its less pejorative technical equivalent, ‘restructuring’) sends shivers down the spines of our policymakers and citizens alike. It shouldn’t. Sovereign default, in an economic sense, means a government reneging on its obligations. Per this meaning, almost all governments of the world have indulged in some form of default in their history. Surprise inflation can materiall

Adani Group stocks rout deepens to $72bn despite share sale completion

Most Adani Group stocks dropped on Wednesday, extending losses to $72 billion after a short-seller report criticised the conglomerate and despite the group completing a closely watched share sale a day earlier. Hindenburg Research’s report last week alleged improper use of offshore tax havens and flagged concerns about high debt. It added that shares in seven Adani-listed companies have an 85 p

Govt rolls out first measures as IMF mission begins talks

On the opening day of make-or-break talks with the International Monet­ary Fund (IMF), the government on Tuesday increased liq­u­efied petroleum gas (LPG) price by 30 per cent and finalised a minimum of Rs6 per unit average increase in electricity rates between now and August. This was on top of an earlier hike in petroleum rates by up to 16pc, a rise of one percentage point in the central bank