KARACHI: The governm­ent on Thursday raised Rs168.8 billion through auction of Pakistan Investment Bonds (PIBs), exceeding its target of Rs125bn.

According to the SBP rep­ort, Rs81.45bn was raised for three-year bonds with a cut-off yield at 7.64pc. Simi­lar­ly, Rs57.9bn was raised for 5-year instrumen at 8.05pc.

Another Rs27bn was borr­owed for 10 years and Rs2.5bn for 15-years at 8.69pc and 9.97pc, respectively. The long-term bonds got relatively hi­­gher returns while the three- and five-year ones reflected the prevailing low interest rate. While the government has been raising increased amounts through short-term treasury bills, investors were also interested in bonds.

The State of Pakistan Bank has slashed interest rate by 5.25 percentage to eight per cent within two months with further decrea­­se possible to boost economic activity in the country.

Published in Dawn, May 29th, 2020

Opinion

The Dar story continues

The Dar story continues

One wonders what the rationale was for the foreign minister — a highly demanding, full-time job — being assigned various other political responsibilities.

Editorial

Wheat protests
Updated 01 May, 2024

Wheat protests

The government should withdraw from the wheat trade gradually, replacing the existing market support mechanism with an effective new one over the next several years.
Polio drive
01 May, 2024

Polio drive

THE year’s fourth polio drive has kicked off across Pakistan, with the aim to immunise more than 24m children ...
Workers’ struggle
01 May, 2024

Workers’ struggle

FACED with high inflation and bleak economic prospects nationally, the workers of Pakistan have little to celebrate...
All this talk
Updated 30 Apr, 2024

All this talk

The other parties are equally legitimate stakeholders in the country’s political future, and it must give them due consideration.
Monetary policy
30 Apr, 2024

Monetary policy

ALIGNING its decision with the trend in developed economies, the State Bank has acted wisely by holding its key...
Meaningless appointment
30 Apr, 2024

Meaningless appointment

THE PML-N’s policy of ‘family first’ has once again triggered criticism. The party’s latest move in this...