KARACHI: The State Bank of Pakistan kept its benchmark policy rate unchanged at 10.5% on Monday, its second Monetary Policy Committee meeting of 2026, as the outbreak of war in the Middle East sent global energy prices surging and clouded the inflation outlook for the import-dependent economy.
Macro
SBP poised to stand pat on rates at 10.5 percent as Middle East tensions, oil shock cloud outlook
KARACHI: The State Bank of Pakistan is poised to keep its key policy rate unchanged at 10.5% when it concludes its second monetary-policy review of 2026 on Monday, a Reuters poll of analysts showed, with rising global energy costs and fresh risks from the Middle East constraining any further cuts.
Pakistan trade deficit jumps 25 percent to $25.04bln on surging imports
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s trade deficit swelled by a quarter to $25.04 billion in the first eight months of the current fiscal year, official figures showed on Tuesday, underscoring the persistent strain on the country’s external accounts.
Pakistan inflation quickens to highest in four months on electricity, produce surge
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s headline inflation accelerated to the fastest pace in four months in February, climbing to 7 percent year-on-year as higher electricity charges and fresh-produce prices offset declines in chicken and eggs, data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics showed on Monday.
Pakistan IMF talks shift to virtual mode after mission relocates to Istanbul amid Middle East crisis
ISLAMABAD: The International Monetary Fund’s staff mission in Pakistan switched its talks with authorities to virtual format on Monday after relocating to Istanbul on security advice from Washington headquarters, following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran.
UPDATED – KSE-100 suffers biggest one-day drop ever after PSX halt on Iran strikes
KARACHI: Pakistan’s benchmark stock index suffered its biggest one-day drop on record on Monday after a sharp early plunge triggered a market-wide trading halt, as escalating military conflict in the Middle East sent oil prices soaring and sparked panic selling.
Pakistan consumer confidence climbs as right-track views triple, Ipsos survey shows
KARACHI: Consumer confidence in Pakistan rose four points over the past two years to 35.5, as fewer households cited inflation, poverty and unemployment as pressing worries and more saw the country heading in the right direction, an Ipsos survey showed.
ECC slashes subsidised mortgage rate to 5 percent on Prime Minister’s orders to boost housing
ISLAMABAD: The Economic Coordination Committee of the cabinet cut the interest rate for its main subsidised mortgage program to a uniform 5 percent, heeding a direct call from the prime minister to make home loans more affordable for a wider range of buyers.
PM Sharif calls for across-the-board direct tax cuts in next budget to boost investment
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called for across-the-board cuts in direct taxes in the upcoming federal budget, saying the country must prioritise growth, production, exports and investment over repeated tax increases to support businesses and restore its standing.
IMF mission kicks off Pakistan bailout review in Karachi with $1.2 billion at stake
KARACHI: An International Monetary Fund staff mission led by Iva Petrova began technical-level discussions with the State Bank of Pakistan in Karachi on Wednesday, opening the third review of the country’s $7 billion Extended Fund Facility and the second review of its $1.1 billion Resilience and Sustainability Facility.