On April 27, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) raised the policy rate by 100 basis points to 11.5%, its first hike since June 2023. On May 14, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) published Country Report 26/101, projecting fiscal year 2026-27 (FY27) growth at 3.5%, average inflation at 8.4%, a current account deficit of 0.9% of gross domestic product (GDP), gross reserves rising toward $21 billio
Pakistan is projected to post a 21-year low budget deficit of 3.6% of GDP (gross domestic product) in the outgoing fiscal year 2025-26 (FY26), showing the government is maintaining a tight fiscal discipline under the ongoing International Monetary Fund (IMF) progrmme, according to a local research house. The deficit stood at 5.4% of GDP in the previous year FY25. “The significant improvement
The Pakistan’s cement industry witnessed a sharp downturn in May 2026, with total cement despatches falling by 21.02 percent year-on-year to 3.837 million tonnes compared to 4.858 million tonnes dispatched during the corresponding month of the previous fiscal year, reflecting subdued construction activity and continued challenges facing the sector. Data released by the All Pakistan Cement Manuf
Treet Battery Limited, a Pakistani battery maker, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with China’s Contemporary Nebula Technology Energy Co., Ltd. (CNTE), a company backed by global battery giant Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL), to explore opportunities in Pakistan’s energy storage sector, including the potential introduction of advanced battery storage systems and f
Gold prices slipped on Wednesday, as renewed hostilities in the Middle East pushed crude oil prices higher, cementing fears that interest rates would stay higher for longer to tame inflation. Fundamentals Spot gold fell 0.2% to $4,476.50 per ounce by 0103 GMT. U.S. gold futures for August delivery fell 0.3% to $4,504.40. Gulf hostilities flared anew on Wednesday, with the U.S. military