Tue, 21-Oct-2025

SBP Launches Electric Bikes and Rickshaw Scheme

SBP Launches Electric Bikes and Rickshaw Scheme

The State Bank of Pakistan has launched an electronic bikes and rickshaw scheme under which 116,000 e-bikes and 3,170 rickshaws/loaders will be provided in two phases. In the first phase, 40,000 e-bikes and 1,000 e-rickshaws/loaders will be distributed, while the second phase will see the delivery of 76,000 e-bikes and 2,171 e-rickshaws/loaders. For financing, borrowers … Read more

Dollar rises? Check today’s Currency exchange rates in Pakistan, 19 Sept 2025

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has released its latest Mark-to-Market (M2M) exchange rates for September 19, 2025, giving a clear picture of how major global currencies are performing against the Pakistani Rupee (PKR). These rates are based on data from brokerage houses and LSEG Workspace, showing the weighted average of closing interbank exchange rates. … Read more

SBP reserves cross $14.3 Billion mark

SBP reserves cross $14.3 Billion mark

KARACHI: State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) reported an increase in the country’s foreign exchange reserves during the week ending on September 5. According to the central bank, Pakistan’s total foreign reserves rose by $214 million, reaching $19.68 billion. The SBP’s own reserves climbed by $338 million to $14.33 billion, showing positive momentum. However, commercial banks’ … Read more

SBP keeps policy rate unchanged at 11%

SBP

KARACHI: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has announced that the key interest rate will remain unchanged at 11 percent for the next two months. Addressing a press conference, SBP Governor Jameel Ahmad said the decision was made after reviewing all key economic indicators. He noted that inflation reached its lowest point in April but … Read more

SBP should reduce interest rate to 6% in upcoming monetary policy: SM Tanveer

SBP should reduce interest rate to 6% in upcoming monetary policy: SM Tanveer

Mr. SM Tanveer, Patron-in-Chief UBG, has stated that the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) should reduce the interest rate to 6% given the fact that the country’s CPI index is 0.3%, while the average inflation is 4% at present. He said the International Monetary Fund also recommends keeping interest rates positive relative to inflation. According … Read more

SBP to remain closed on May 28 for Youm e Takbeer

SBP

KARACHI: The State Bank of Pakistan will remain closed on May 28, 2025 (Wednesday) being public holiday on the occasion of Youm-e-Takbeer. The holiday commemorates Pakistan’s nuclear tests conducted in Chagai on the same date in 1998. In a statement issued, the central bank said the closure follows the federal government’s declaration of a public … Read more

SBP releases details of Roshan Digital Accounts in April

SBP

KARACHI: State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has released new data of Roshan Digital Accounts(RDA) opened by overseas Pakistanis in April 2025. According to the SBP, overseas Pakistanis opened 8,802 new RDA in April and deposited a total of $177 million into Roshan Digital Accounts, underscoring their growing contribution to the country’s financial system. The RDA … Read more

Pakistan receives 2nd tranche of $ 1.2b from IMF  

Pakistan

KARACHI: Pakistan received the second tranche of Special Drawing Rights (SDR) 760 million, equivalent to $1.02 billion, from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The State Bank of Pakistan(SBP)  confirmed that the Pakistan SBP has received 2nd tranche from IMF under Extended Fund Facility (EFF) program. IMF Executive Board completed the first review under the EFF … Read more

PCC marks a new digital chapter for economy: Aurangzeb

PCC

ISLAMABAD:  Federal Finance and Revenue Minister Senator Mohammad Aurangzeb has said that the Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC) marks the beginning of a new digital chapter for the country’s economy.

According to a statement issued by the Finance Ministry, Finance Minister Mohammad Aurangzeb chaired the first meeting of the Pakistan Crypto Council.

The meeting was attended by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Pakistan Crypto Council Bilal Bin Saqib, Governor State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and Chairman Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP).

The meeting focused on exploring opportunities in Pakistan’s cryptocurrency space. Bilal Bin Saqib presented a comprehensive vision and mission for the Crypto Council, which was commended by the finance minister.

Speaking on the occasion, finance minister emphasized that the Crypto Council will serve as a platform to bring together all stakeholders and regulatory bodies. He also reiterated the government’s commitment to creating a transparent and robust financial and economic system.

Muhammad Aurangzeb added that the Council marks the beginning of a new digital chapter for the country’s economy.

[embedpost slug=”pakistan-crypto-council-officially-launched”]

Read more

SBP issues Raast participation criteria

SBP issues guidelines for regulatory sandbox

KARACHI: The State of Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has issued Raast participation criteria outlining minimum requirements for the entities desirous of becoming the Raast participants and have the necessary functional and technical capabilities to provide digital payment services to their customers through Raast.

Raast is a state-of-the-art instant payment system launched by the SBP in 2021 to facilitate instant, safe and efficient transfer of funds across the country i.e. “instant payments – Pal Bhar Mein. Mulk Bhar Mein”.

Raast offers bulk payments facility, person-to-person (P2P) transfers, person-to-merchant (P2M) payments, and payment initiation services.

Since its launch, forty-four (44) entities including SBP Regulated and Government entities have been on-boarded on Raast as the participants.

SBP envisages that the issuance of Raast Participation Criteria will facilitate the prospective participants in onboarding on Raast, significantly enhance the number of participants, promote digital payments, and encourage innovation and competition in the payments market.

[embedpost slug=”sbp-cuts-policy-rate-by-100-basis-points-to-12″]

Read more

UAE rolls $2 billion loan to Pakistan: SBP

UAE

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) announced on Thursday that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has confirmed the rollover of two deposits, each worth $1 billion, placed with Pakistan. The deposits, which were set to mature in January 2025, have now been extended for another year. Earlier this month, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif informed the … Read more

SBP to announce first monetary policy of 2025

SBP to announce first monetary policy of 2025

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) is set to reveal the year’s first monetary policy on January 27, following a Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting scheduled for Monday. During the meeting, key economic indicators will be reviewed to determine any changes in the base interest rate. The SBP governor will announce the committee’s decision at … Read more

SBP foreign reserves drop by $143 million

State Bank of Pakistan’s foreign reserves increase by $28 million

KARACHI: Pakistan’s liquid foreign reserves were reported at $16,408.7 million as of December 27, 2024, according to data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Thursday. Out of this total, the central bank’s reserves amounted to $11,710.5 million, while commercial banks held net foreign reserves of $4,698.2 million. The SBP’s reserves saw a … Read more

SBP injects Rs1,202 billion into market via OMO

SBP

KARACHI: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) injected Rs1,202.65 billion into the market on Wednesday through Reverse Repo Purchase and Shariah-compliant Mudarabah-based Open Market Operations (OMO). The SBP, following the Monetary Policy rate cut to 13%, conducted Open Market Operation, Reverse Repo Purchase (Injection) on December 18, 2024 for 2-day tenor and, as per results … Read more

SBP slashes Policy rate by 200 basis points to 13%

SBP

KARACHI: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) announced a significant reduction in its policy rate, cutting it by 200 basis points to 13% during its monetary policy meeting on Monday. The new rate will take effect on December 17, 2024. “At its meeting today, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) decided to cut the policy rate … Read more

PM Shehbaz welcomes SBP’s policy rate cut-down

PM Shehbaz

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Monday welcomed the reduction in policy rate of State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) by further 2 percent and said that its current 13 percent rate bode well for the country’s economy.

He expressed the confidence that the decrease in the policy rate would further enhance investors’ confidence in the national economy and would spur investment.

The prime minister said that lowering of inflation rate also brought down the policy rate, adding that in the future, the inflation rate would further come down.

He also appreciated the federal finance minister and other authorities for making efforts in this regard.

[embedpost slug=”pm-shehbaz-sharif-pledges-to-end-polio-in-pakistan”]

Read more

Pakistan receives $500m from ADB  

Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has received a loan of $500 million from the Asian Development Bank(ADB) under the Climate Change and Disaster Resilience Enhancement Programme (CDREP).

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has confirmed the receipt of the inflows. “The SBP has received US$500 million from the Asian Development Bank as proceeds of a loan to the government of Pakistan for the Climate Change and Disaster Resilience Enhancement Program (CDREP),” SBP said in a statement.

According to the SBP, these proceeds will be reflected in SBP’s foreign exchange reserves for the week ending 29th November 2024 to be published on 05th December 2024.

This disbursement will help bolster the foreign exchange reserves held by the SBP and likely to cross the $12 billion mark by the end of November 2024.

The SBP’s reserves stood at $11.42 billion as on November 22, 2024 and enough to cover the import bill of more than two months.

Earlier on October 29, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved a US$500 million policy-based loan to support climate change and disaster risk reduction and resilience in Pakistan.

[embedpost slug=”adb-to-provide-500m-loan-for-pakistan”]

Read more

Federal Govt declares public holiday on Nov 9

public holiday

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has announced a public holiday on November 9, on account of Iqbal Day.

The federal government has issued a public holiday notification on Saturday, November 9, on Iqbal Day.

Iqbal Day is marked with special prayers in mosques for progress and prosperity, a Change of Guards ceremony at his mausoleum in Lahore and various events across the country to pay homage to the country’s national poet.

Separately, State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Thursday announced that banks would remain closed on November 9 on account of the Iqbal Day, the birth anniversary of the Poet of the East, Muhammad Iqbal.

November 9 is observed as ‘Iqbal Day’ across Pakistan to mark the birth anniversary of Dr Allama Mohammad Iqbal. This year would be his 147th birth anniversary.

[embedpost slug=”paf-pays-tribute-to-quaid-e-azam-on-his-birth-anniversary”]

Read more

PM Shehbaz lauds policy rate reduction by SBP

PM Shehbaz

ISLAMABAD:  Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif lauding the policy rate reduction by the State Bank of Pakistan to 15%, said that the government’s economic stability measures were coming to fruition.

The prime minister, in his opening remarks, while chairing the meeting of the federal cabinet, said a further two percent reduction of the policy rate was a pleasing development for business, agriculture, exports, and commerce sectors.

He said SBP had gradually reduced the policy rate from 22% to 15%, encouraging people to invest their money in the economy to create jobs, enhance production, and exports.

Prime Minister Shehbaz said that the policy rate reduction would decrease the debt burden by Rs1.3 trillion providing huge relief and creating a great fiscal space for the country.

He expressed the hope that the country’s economy would strengthen if the indicators continued to move positively.

The prime minister told the cabinet members that in a follow-up of his recent visit to Saudi Arabia, a Pakistani delegation had left for the Kingdom to discuss cooperation in mining and minerals, solar energy and skilled IT workforce which was required by both Saudia Arabia and Qatar.

He asked the IT ministry to give a presentation to explain their strategy to produce IT workforce of international standard to make them cope with the requirements of both the countries.

Calling for swift action on B2B MoUs with Saudi Arabia, the prime minister said the Azerbaijan government had also given a green signal for the signing of $2 billion MoUs to strengthen bilateral cooperation.

“These are good signals. How we take advantage of these is up to us,” he remarked.

The prime minister hinted at announcing a power relief package for the winter season and emphasised facilitating the businessmen to boost their morale.

[embedpost slug=”pti-lawmakers-ruckus-leads-to-prorogation-of-na-session”]

Read more

Car Financing Sees First Rise in Over Two Years

Car Financing

Car financing in Pakistan slightly increased in September 2024. Automobile financing in Pakistan rose slightly to Rs227.54 billion in September 2024. This uptick breaks a 26-month streak of continuous decline in car financing. ISLAMABAD: Car financing in Pakistan experienced a slight rise in September 2024, increasing to Rs227.54 billion, a 0.11 per cent jump from … Read more

Pakistan receives first tranche of $1026.m from IMF

Pakistan receives first tranche of $1026m from IMF

KARACHI: Following the approval of the IMF Executive Board of 37-month Extended Fund Facility amounting to US$7 billion, State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has received the first tranche of SDR 760 million (equivalent to USD 1026.9 million) from the IMF on Friday. These inflows will be reflected in SBP liquid reserves to be released on … Read more

Currency Update: Pakistani Rupee Records Minor Decline Against US Dollar

Pakistani rupee gains strength against US dollar

Pakistani rupee depreciated 03 paisa against US dollar, closing at Rs 277.86. Dollar buying and selling rates in open market at Rs 279 and Rs 280.7. The Emirates Dirham exchange rate gained 01 paisa, while Saudi Riyal remained stagnant at Rs74.04. On Monday, the Pakistani rupee depreciated by 3 paisa against the US dollar in … Read more

State Bank of Pakistan Announces Bank Holiday for July 1, 2024

Banks to Close for Two Days Next Week

The State Bank of Pakistan declares July 1, 2024, a bank holiday. All banks, DFIs, and MFBs will be closed for public dealings. The holiday marks the beginning of the fiscal year 2024–25 KARACHI – The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has declared July 1, 2024, as a bank holiday to mark the first day … Read more

Pakistan Sets Record for Monthly Remittance Inflows in May!

Pakistan Sets Record for Monthly Remittance Inflows in May!

Remittances from overseas Pakistanis rose by 54% year-on-year to $3.2 billion in May 2024. This marks the highest-ever monthly remittance inflow. On a month-on-month basis, remittances rose by 15% from $2.8 billion in April 202. Remittances from overseas Pakistanis rose by 54% year-on-year to $3.2 billion in May 2024, up from $2.1 billion in the … Read more

PSX soars as KSE-100 crosses 73,000 milestones

PSX milestones

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) achieved another milestone on Monday as the KSE-100 index crossed the historic 73,000 mark for the first time in the nation’s history. Early trading saw the benchmark gain 403 points, reaching 73,099, with investors responding positively amid expectations of another bailout package from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The previous … Read more

Financial institutions shut on March 23rd for Pakistan Day

March 23rd Pakistan Day

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) will be closed on March 23, 2024 (Saturday), a public holiday commemorating ‘Pakistan Day’ designated by the federal government. Financial institutions, microfinance banks, and various other financial institutions will be closed on Saturday. These will resume operations on March 25th (Monday). Every year on March 23, the South Asian … Read more