Policy monitor
State Bank of Pakistan
Track State Bank of Pakistan decisions on interest rates, inflation, reserves, the rupee and banking policy.
The reporting trail
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Pakistan / Business & FinancePSX plunges 3,500 points as Trump's Iran threat spooks investors
The KSE-100 fell 2.25 per cent to 152,011 points on 2 April 2026 after Donald Trump vowed to keep fighting in Iran, sending oil higher and dashing hopes of a quick end to the war.
Pakistan / Business & FinanceIMF, Pakistan sign staff-level agreement unlocking $1.2bn tranche
On 28 March 2026 the IMF announced a staff-level agreement unlocking $1.2bn for Pakistan under the EFF and RSF, with tacit backing for Islamabad's fuel subsidy.
Pakistan / Business & FinanceSBP holds policy rate at 10.5pc as Middle East war clouds FY26 outlook
Pakistan's central bank held its policy rate at 10.5 per cent as the Middle East war raised oil prices and inflation risks, pausing its two-year easing cycle.
Pakistan / Business & FinancePakistan asks Saudi Arabia to expand oil facility and roll over $5bn
Pakistan has asked Saudi Arabia to raise its deferred-payment oil facility to $5bn and convert a $5bn State Bank deposit into a 10-year facility, Geo News reported.
Pakistan / Technology & TelecomSenate passes Virtual Assets Bill to formalise Pakistan's crypto regulator
The Senate passed the Virtual Assets Bill, 2025 on 27 February, moving to give legal cover to the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority before an ordinance lapses in March.
Pakistan / Business & FinancePakistan repays $700m Chinese loan as FX reserves fall to $15.5bn
Pakistan repaid a $700 million China Development Bank loan, cutting gross official reserves to $15.5 billion ahead of an IMF review mission due on 25 February 2026.
Pakistan / Politics & GovernancePM Shehbaz unveils Rs38bn Ramazan Package 2026 as cashless relief
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif launched a Rs38 billion Ramazan Package on 14 February, promising Rs13,000 in digital cash to each of more than 12 million families.
Pakistan / Business & FinancePakistan clears two foreign firms to start operations, including oilfield services provider
The Board of Investment approved two foreign firms, including oilfield services provider INTAJ LLC, to begin operations in Pakistan.
Pakistan / Business & FinancePakistan's central government debt rises to Rs78.5trn in December 2025
Pakistan's central government debt reached Rs78.5 trillion in December 2025, up 9.6 per cent year on year, with domestic debt at Rs55.4 trillion, State Bank data show.
Pakistan / Business & FinanceS&P projects Pakistan's economy to grow 3.5pc in FY26, 4.4pc in FY27
S&P Global Market Intelligence projected Pakistan's real GDP growth at 3.5pc in FY26 and 4.4pc in FY27, endorsing the State Bank's macroeconomic outlook.
Pakistan / Business & FinanceSBP holds policy rate at 10.5pc, cites improving growth and 7.4pc core inflation
SBP held the policy rate at 10.5pc on 26 January 2026, citing 5.6pc headline inflation, 7.4pc core, 3.7pc Q1 GDP growth and $16.1bn FX reserves.
Pakistan / Business & FinancePakistan current account slips into $244m deficit in December
State Bank of Pakistan data reported on 19 January 2026 show a $244 million current account deficit for December, ending a brief surplus as imports outpaced exports.