#Sukuk auction announced to finance budget deficit

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) announced the auction for three-year Ijara Sukuk to raise some Rs 225 billion for the federal government. Recently, the federal cabinet approved the issuance of a five-year Ijara Sukuk to generate some Rs700 billion to meet the rising financial requirements for combating COVID-19. Three tenders will be conducted for the sale of the Rs 225 billion sukuk. The first auction will be held on April 16, 2020 for Rs 75 billion, the second on May 16 for Rs 75 billion and the third is scheduled for June 18, 2020 for Rs 75 billion. Pakistan has been issuing Sukuk since 2008 to provide liquidity to the domestic Islamic industry; however, demand for such instruments far surpasses their supply.