Central bank signals rate will remain unchanged at 7% in next monetary policy as well

Move aimed at attracting higher investments in government papers

SBP will announce benchmark interest rate for next two months today

Deficit comes on back of surge in imports to over $5b in December 2020

In first half of FY21, China was largest investor with injection of $358.9m

Central bank responded aggressively to challenges, shielded economy through timely measures

Report says oil and gas production fell 6% and 4% respectively in Oct-Dec period

Prices of wheat flour, cooking oil and sugar went sky-high

Notes rebound in economic activities in Pakistan despite successive Covid waves

Say despite capacity it did not increase fuel imports to bridge shortfall