Pakistan’s central bank, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), has announced the retention of the policy rate at 10.5% in light of the monetary policy committee’s decision. The announcement comes as the country’s economy shows signs of stability, with the current account surplus recorded in January. However, the inflation rate has increased to 7.6% in February 2026, with forecasts suggesting that it will remain above 7% for the remaining months of the fiscal year. The GDP growth is expected to reach 4.75% in the fiscal year 2026.
The SBP has also reported that the country’s foreign exchange reserves have reached a record high of $16.3 billion in February, with a target of $18 billion by June 2026. The bank has warned that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East has created uncertainty in the global economy, which could have a negative impact on Pakistan’s economy.
The announcement comes as the global oil prices have increased, affecting the cost of fuel, transportation, and insurance. The country’s private sector has seen an increase in lending, but the effect of rising fuel prices on food supply and retail prices is limited. The SBP has also stated that the current account surplus is not sufficient to meet the country’s tax revenue targets.
The announcement has also been affected by the global economic uncertainty, with the prices of gold and oil fluctuating. The price of gold has decreased to $5106 per ounce, while the Brent crude oil price has reached $117 per barrel. The Asian stock markets have seen a decline, with the Nikkei index in Japan decreasing by 2.15%.
The announcement has also been affected by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, with the Iranian government reporting that it has carried out over 37 missile and drone strikes on Israeli and American military bases. The conflict has also affected the global oil prices, with the OPEC countries meeting to discuss the possibility of a reduction in oil production.
The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) has seen a decline, with the KSE-100 index closing at 1,57,496 points. The retail prices of essential commodities have increased, with the LPG price reaching Rs320 to Rs350 per kilogram. The government has also increased the prices of public transportation, with the minimum fare of a bus ticket increasing to Rs50.
The announcement has also been affected by the global economic uncertainty, with the US government reporting that the conflict in the Middle East is going well and that the results are better than expected. The announcement has also been affected by the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel, with the Iranian government reporting that it has carried out over 37 missile and drone strikes on Israeli and American military bases.
The Pakistan government has also announced that it will take steps to improve the accuracy and security of the national identity card system. The announcement comes as the government has been facing criticism over the accuracy and security of the system.
The announcement has also been affected by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, with the Iranian government reporting that it has carried out over 37 missile and drone strikes on Israeli and American military bases. The conflict has also affected the global oil prices, with the OPEC countries meeting to discuss the possibility of a reduction in oil production.
The Pakistan government has also announced that it will take steps to improve the accuracy and security of the national identity card system. The announcement comes as the government has been facing criticism over the accuracy and security of the system.
The Pakistan government has also announced that it will take steps to improve the accuracy and security of the national identity card system. The announcement comes as the government has been facing criticism over the accuracy and security of the system.
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