Islamabad July 18 2022: Pakistan rupee drop against the dollar to historic low of 215.2 rupee in interbank closing due to increase in political tension as PTI wins 15 seats in Punjab by polls despite Pakistan reaches staff level agreement with IMF for release of $1.17 billion under 7th and 8th review of Extended Fund Facility.
Earlier dollar at interbank touched high mark of 212.25 on 21st June 2022.
Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has again called for an early national election after his party seized control of the state assembly in Punjab, the country’s most populous province that raises concerns over IMF program.
The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf on Sunday routed the PML-N by winning at least 15 seats in the crucial by-elections on 20 seats that got vacated after the disqualification of PTI members who had voted for Hamza Shehbaz for Punjab chief minister’s office.
In the open market, Dollar moved up by more than 5.0 Rupee to trade around at record high level of 216.5 against the previous high of Rs 215.
The Rupee lost nearly 1.97% or 4.25 to close the day at 215.2 in the interbank. While in the open market Rupee is trading around 216.5 against the dollar.
On last trading day, Rupee closes at Rs 210.95 in the interbank market.
The ruling PML-N could win only four seats, as it had fielded turncoats in all the constituencies, except one of Lahore, where PTI renegade Aleem Khan had decided against contesting the by-election.
Former PML-Q federal minister Moonis Elahi says that PML-N’s defeat was actually Pakistan’s victory. He stated Punjab had come out of Sharif family’s slavery by breaking all shackles.
“The real process of change will begin now and Punjab as well as Pakistan will progress leaps and bounds under the leadership of Imran Khan,” he asserted.
On 14th July 2022, Pakistan secured desperately needed approval from IMF staff level team. An International Monetary Fund (IMF) team, led by Nathan Porter, has finalized discussions for the combined seventh and eight reviews of Pakistan’s economic program supported by an IMF Extended Fund Facility (EFF).
“The IMF team has reached a staff-level agreement (SLA) with the Pakistan authorities for the conclusion of the combined seventh and eight reviews of the EFF-supported program. The agreement is subject to approval by the IMF’s Executive Board. Subject to Board approval, about $1,177 million (SDR 894 million) will become available, bringing total disbursements under the program to about $4.2 billion. Additionally, in order to support program implementation and meet the higher financing needs in FY23, as well as catalyze additional financing, the IMF Board will consider an extension of the EFF until end-June 2023 and an augmentation of access by SDR 720 million that will bring the total access under the EFF to about US$7 billion.” Says IMF press release.
