Shahid Iqbal

1 week ago | dawn.com | Kalbe Ali |Shahid Iqbal

• Experts diverge on anticipated rate cut quantum, businesses demand substantial reduction to revive economy• Some see status quo after tomorrow’s meeting as war-like situation expected to hike food prices KARACHI/ISLAMABAD: Despite a long-term decline in inflation and real interest rates above 11 per cent, opinions on the State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) likely decision on the policy rate are divided, with trade and industry sectors advocating for a significant cut.

1 month ago | dawn.com | Shahid Iqbal |Khurram Abbas |Khurram Husain

KARACHI: Despite a massive cut in the benchmark interest rates, the private sector continued retiring loans as bank advances plunged 52 per cent in the January-March quarter. The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) slashed its policy rate by a staggering 1,000bps to 12pc from an unprecedented level of 22pc since June 2024. The SBP data on Thursday showed that the private sector kept returning bank money it borrowed in the second quarter of FY25.

Jan 15, 2025 | dawn.com | Shahid Iqbal |Zahid Hussain

KARACHI. The government on Wednesday raised Rs421 billion through the auction of Pakistan Investment Bonds (PIBs) against the total bids of Rs1.5 trillion. The auction of long-term bonds reflected the government’s strategy to avoid short-term debt servicing, which creates fiscal imbalances each year. The auction was also crucial because the government exceeded the Rs350bn target while it remained restricted in last week’s auction of short-term treasury bills.

Jan 14, 2025 | dawn.com | Shahid Iqbal

DAWN.COM E-Paper | January 15, 2025 KARACHI: The government retired Rs1.541 trillion in commercial banks’ debt during the first half of the current fiscal year against a net borrowing of Rs3.74tr in the same period last year, reflecting improved fiscal management. The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) data issued on Tuesday showed that during the July 1-3-Jan 3 period of FY25, the government emerged as a net debt retiring institution despite being a net borrower for many years.

Jan 13, 2025 | dawn.com | Shahid Iqbal

KARACHI: Financial inclusion, i.e the share of the adult population operating a bank account, has jumped from 16 per cent in 2015 to 64pc in 2023, according to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). Since 2015, SBP has implemented two National Financial Inclusion strategies (NFIS), 2015-18 and 2019-23, with the goal to improve access and usage of formal financial services by the masses.