ISLAMABAD: The International Monetary Fund reached a staff-level agreement with Pakistani authorities for the release of about $1.2 billion, clearing the way for the third review under the country’s Extended Fund Facility and the second under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility, the fund said on Saturday.
Macro
PM Sharif rejects fresh fuel-price hike, absorbs Rs56bln cost to shield consumers from Middle East oil shock
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif rejected yet another proposal to raise petrol and high-speed diesel prices, choosing instead to have the government absorb an additional Rs56 billion in costs as global oil prices remain elevated by the conflict in the Middle East.
Pakistan extends export scheme input window to 18 months to aid SMEs
ISLAMABA: The government on Thursday extended the utilization period under the Export Facilitation Scheme to 18 months from nine, a change officials say will lower costs for shippers and give particular relief to small and medium-sized enterprises.
Pakistan digital payments hit record 92 percent of retail transactions as cashless shift accelerates
KARACHI: Pakistan accelerated its shift toward a cashless economy in the second quarter of fiscal 2026, with digital channels accounting for 92% of all retail transactions, up from 88% a year earlier, the State Bank of Pakistan said.
ADB to provide Pakistan $10 billion over five years in push for private-sector growth
ISLAMABAD: The Asian Development Bank plans to extend about $10 billion in financing to Pakistan over the next five years under a new country partnership strategy that puts private-sector development at the center of efforts to secure sustainable and inclusive growth.
Pakistan posts $427 million current-account surplus in February as remittances lift external balance
KARACHI: Pakistan recorded a $427 million current-account surplus in February, its largest monthly positive balance since March 2025, as strong remittance inflows, gains in value-added exports and disciplined import growth helped narrow the external shortfall.
Foreign assistance rises 13 percent to $5.17 billion in seven months on Saudi, ADB support
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan received $5.17 billion in foreign loans and grants from July 2025 through January 2026, a 12.77% increase from $4.58 billion in the same period a year earlier, data from the Economic Affairs Division showed.
IMF makes ‘considerable progress’ with Pakistan on loan reviews as Middle East tensions extend talks
ISLAMABAD: The International Monetary Fund said it has made considerable progress in talks with Pakistani authorities on the third review of the country’s Extended Fund Facility and the second review of its Resilience and Sustainability Facility, even as discussions continue to gauge the economic fallout from the Middle East conflict.
Finance minister pushes capital-market overhaul to ease bank reliance
ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Wednesday called for a gradual rebalancing of the country’s financial system, urging capital markets to take on a bigger role alongside banks in funding economic growth while pressing lenders to prepare for potential fallout from escalating Middle East tensions.
Pakistan remittances rise 5.2 percent to $3.29 billion in February
KARACHI: Remittance inflows to Pakistan rose 5.2% in February to $3.29 billion, State Bank of Pakistan data showed Tuesday, offering continued support to the nation’s external accounts and household spending.