SBP Keeps Key Interest Rate Unchanged to Start FY26

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) announced on Wednesday that it has kept the interest rate unchanged at 11 percent. In its last monetary policy meeting for FY25 in June, SBP kept the rate unchanged at 11 percent. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) decided to maintain the policy rate at 11 percent in its meeting today. The Committee observed that inflation in June 2025 had slowed to 3.2 percent year-on-year, primarily due to lower food prices, while core inflation also registered a slight decline. However, it noted that the inflation outlook has deteriorated slightly due to higher-than-expected adjustments in energy prices, particularly gas tariffs. Nonetheless, inflation is projected to remain within the target range in the coming months. The MPC also noted that economic activity is gradually strengthening, reflecting the lagged impact of earlier rate cuts. However, the trade deficit is projected to widen in FY26 due to a combination of rising domestic demand and slowing global trade. In light of these dynamics, the Committee considered the decision to hold the policy rate as necessary for maintaining price stability. The MPC highlighted the following developments: High-frequency economic indicators suggest a gradual recovery. Year-on-year growth was seen in auto sales, fertilizer offtake, private sector credit, imports of intermediate goods and machinery, and the purchasing managers’ index. This improvement has also started to show in Large-Scale Manufacturing (LSM), which posted growth in both April and May after five months of contraction. The agricultural outlook has improved due to recent rainfall, particularly for major crops, while the services sector is expected to benefit from stronger performance in commodity-producing sectors. With positive business sentiment and improved financial conditions, real GDP growth is projected between 3.25 and 4.25 percent in FY26, up from the provisional 2.7 percent recorded in FY25. The current account registered a $328 million surplus in June, bringing the FY25 cumulative surplus to $2.1 billion (0.5 percent of GDP). Remittances played a key role in offsetting the widening trade deficit. Official inflows also supported FX reserves, pushing them above $14 billion. However, remittance growth is expected to slow in FY26 due to a high base and revisions in incentive schemes. Meanwhile, the trade deficit is likely to expand, driven by stronger import demand, slowing global demand, and unfavorable export prices — particularly for rice. The current account deficit for FY26 is projected between 0 and 1 percent of GDP. The SBP’s reserves are forecasted to rise to $15.5 billion by end-December 2025, aided by improved private inflows following the recent credit rating upgrade. Revised estimates show an improved fiscal position for FY25, with both the primary and overall balances surpassing their respective targets due to strong growth in tax and non-tax revenues. However, FBR missed its revised target despite achieving 26 percent growth. For FY26, the government is targeting a primary surplus of 2.4 percent of GDP, which will require robust revenue collection and expenditure rationalization. The MPC emphasized the need for continued fiscal consolidation to preserve recent macroeconomic gains. Broad money (M2) growth rose to 14.0 percent year-on-year as of July 11, up from 12.6 percent at the previous MPC meeting, mainly due to higher Net Foreign Assets (NFA) following improved FX reserves. Private sector credit expanded by 12.8 percent year-on-year, reflecting better economic conditions and easier financial access. The credit growth was broad-based, with increases in working capital, fixed investment, and consumer financing. Key sectors included textiles, telecom, and retail trade. The currency-to-deposit ratio, which had fallen in June, increased again in July, prompting SBP to inject additional liquidity to maintain the interbank rate near the policy rate, which in turn contributed to higher reserve money growth. Inflation stood at 3.2 percent in June 2025, down from 3.5 percent in May, mainly due to easing food inflation and a slight decline in core inflation to 7.6 percent. Despite recent increases in fuel and electricity prices, overall energy inflation remained lower on a year-on-year basis. Going forward, energy inflation is expected to rise due to significant increases in gas tariffs, the phase-out of temporary electricity tariff reductions, and rising motor fuel prices. While annual inflation is projected to stay within the 5–7 percent range in FY26, it may temporarily exceed the upper limit in certain months. The MPC warned of multiple risks to this outlook, including volatile global commodity prices, unforeseen adjustments in energy tariffs, and the potential impact of widespread flooding.