KARACHI:
The Roshan Digital Account (RDA) received funds amounting to $11.1 billion by the end of September 2025, according to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).
The RDA has witnessed a modest increase in both funds received and new accounts opened. On a month-on-month basis, investments rose by 20%, while accounts increased by 16%. This growth highlights the confidence of overseas Pakistanis in Pakistan’s digital banking sector and the potential for further inflows through this channel.
Meanwhile, the government raised Rs506.7 billion (excluding short selling) in the recent Pakistan Investment Bonds (PIB) auction, surpassing its target of Rs450 billion. The auction saw a strong response, with total bids amounting to Rs1.536 trillion.
The cut-off yields exhibited mixed trends across different tenors. Yields increased by 6 to 21 basis points (bps) for two-year, three-year, and five-year PIBs, according to AHL. However, 10-year and 15-year PIBs saw a decline in yields by 4 bps.
A major portion of the amount raised came from the 10-year PIB, with Rs337.4 billion allocated to this tenor.
Furthermore, the Pakistani rupee registered a slight rise against the US dollar in the inter-bank market. By the end of the session, the local currency closed at 281.15, appreciating by Rs0.01 compared to the previous day’s level. On Monday, the rupee had settled at 281.16 against the greenback.
Moreover, gold prices in Pakistan surged to an all-time high, mirroring gains in the international market, where the precious metal breached the $4,100-per-ounce mark amid expectations of a US Federal Reserve rate cut and renewed trade tensions between Washington and Beijing.
According to data released by the All Pakistan Sarafa Gems and Jewellers Association, the price of gold per tola rose by Rs6,900, reaching Rs435,100, while the rate for 10 grams climbed Rs5,916 to Rs373,028.
The rally followed a consistent upward trend as the price of gold per tola had risen by Rs5,500 on Monday, reaching Rs428,200, while the rate for 10 grams climbed Rs4,715 to Rs367,112.
Meanwhile, silver also hit a record high on Monday, with its price per tola rising by Rs147 to Rs5,247, reflecting strong investor demand for safe-haven assets. However, the metal price remained stable on Tuesday.
Adnan Agar, Director of Interactive Commodities, said gold has hit an all-time high again, trading at $4,180. “The market is fluctuating, and there’s a lack of data from the US due to the government shutdown,” he said. “The fear of missing out (FOMO) factor is driving retail investors to buy gold.”
Experts believe that if the US data and government situation improve, gold prices could correct by 5-8%. This is the ninth consecutive week of gold’s rally, and historically, such prolonged increases have been followed by corrections, he said.
The market is expected to remain volatile, and investors are advised to be cautious. The current situation is reminiscent of past instances where gold prices surged and then corrected sharply.
