State Bank of Pakistan

There is a tacit admission by the Governor that hot money flows are like a fair weather friend

Says Pakistan to miss projected economic growth rate of 3.5% due to poor crops production in 2019-20

Business community meets prime minister to discuss hardships

Central bank is due to announce monetary policy statement today

People are facing unemployment and underemployment along with high inflation

Ministry of Finance says net increase in external debt in 1HFY20 is $1.7 billion instead of $5.5 billion

Spreads are widening since SBP started increasing benchmark interest rate

Central bank cites no reason for increase in reserves

Finance ministry says it followed legal path for position of SBP deputy governor

Non-project loans increase to 84% of total receipts

Former central bank governor calls for legally defined mechanism for using foreign exchange reserves

External debt peaks at 159% of total reserves at the end of last fiscal year

Deficit stood at $2.15b in Jul-Dec of current fiscal year

Improvement in data shows return of foreign investors’ confidence in economy

Pakistan will also have to improve the system to achieve high female engagement in economic activities

SBP governor says fundamental improvement needs to come from structural reforms beyond exchange rate

PM Imran Khan meets FPCCI officials who share concerns about sick industrial units

Debt servicing alone is projected to cost Rs3.2 trillion for the ongoing fiscal year

SBP is not lending money to the govt since beginning of the current fiscal year

Company will help revive sick industrial units

The foreign exchange reserves held by the central bank increased 0.12% on a weekly basis

Macroeconomic stabilisation policies spark supply, demand-side pressures

Also sees drop in current account deficit that will be in range of 1.5-2.5% of GDP

Move will encourage investment in long-term debt securities

SBP has 90% shares in HBFC; their sale will pave way for company’s privatisation

Increase attributed to bilateral, multilateral inflows including $452.4m from IMF

Move aimed at documenting economy, will cost central bank millions

SBP governor says boards of banks with more diversity can play a more effective role in achieving objectives

SBP governor assures private sector of more facilities

Increase attributed to multilateral and other official inflows, including those from ADB

Will have to ensure assessment of each loan proposal to eliminate risk

Central bank defends investment, saying it poses limited risk

Governor State Bank of Pakistan says tough part is over for Pakistan

Unless savings rate is increased, country is likely to remain in debt trap

Shariah-compliant banks unable to lend as financing limit hits ceiling

Ministry official says Pakistan’s businesses have great potential to grow through digital sales

Move to support manufacturing sector by easing restrictions

Prime Minister calls for out-of-the-box thinking for economic progress

Says country’s start-up tech and fintech ecosystems have made notable progress

Strategy will encourage additional workers’ remittances of at least $1.2b per year

The queen will call on the president, PM and will also meet a range of stakeholders from public, private sectors

In Pakistan, the system is in its infancy but has potential to revolutionise payment infrastructure

Policy should not be repeat of previous ones, must respond to modern trends

Urge SSGC to overcome line losses to partially bridge revenue shortfall

Even a successful IMF programme will do nothing to cure Pakistan’s economy

Staff-level agreement reached with Pakistan for release of $450m second tranche on Dec 19

Central bank cites no reason for improvement

Calls for legal amendments for automatically increasing electricity prices

It will help avoid impact of shocks faced by low value-added commodities

This comes despite liberal trade and investment regime, large market