Tag: State Bank of Pakistan

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed banks to speed up loan disbursements under the Apna Ghar scheme, warning against delays in financing housing, agriculture and small businesses.

Pakistan’s construction sector is recovering as subsidised housing loans at a fixed 5% rate boost homeownership and property demand. However, complete documentation and approved building plans remain essential for securing financing.

Pakistan has simplified home loans under the Apna Ghar Programme by reducing mandatory property documents to five, aiming to speed up approvals and make home construction financing easier for citizens.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the SBP to speed up housing loan disbursements under the Apna Ghar Programme, as nearly Rs350 billion in approved financing remains unpaid to borrowers.

akistan’s foreign exchange reserves reached a record $21.4 billion at the State Bank, prompting PM Shehbaz Sharif to hail the milestone as a boost to economic stability.

The government has launched a 25% first-loss credit guarantee to expand financing access for women entrepreneurs through microfinance institutions.

Pakistan's IT exports achieved a stellar 33% year-on-year increase in April 2026, reaching $423 million and maintaining a steady month-on-month growth above the $400 million baseline. According to State Bank of Pakistan data, cumulative technology exports for the first 10 months of FY26 soared to $3.81 billion, entirely outpacing the previous fiscal year's total earnings. Industry experts credit this rapid expansion to robust global demand for software and freelancing services, streamlined digital payment infrastructure, and a rising profile for Pakistani tech startups on the international stage.

Saudi Arabia has provided a critical $2 billion lifeline to the State Bank of Pakistan, offering essential relief as the country faces heavy debt repayments. This timely deposit helps bridge the gap for a $3.5 billion payment due to the UAE and follows a recent $1.43 billion Eurobond settlement. Beyond immediate cash, Riyadh has pledged an additional $3 billion and agreed to convert existing short-term deposits into long-term loans. This strategic support stabilizes the Pakistani Rupee, protects the nation’s credit rating, and ensures Pakistan meets the reserve requirements necessary to remain in the IMF program.

To bypass crippled trade routes through Afghanistan and sanctions-related banking hurdles, Pakistan has issued a three-month waiver (effective March 24 to June 21, 2026) on mandatory bank guarantees for specific exports to Iran and Central Asia. By suspending the rigid "financial instrument" requirement for goods like rice, meat, and pharmaceuticals, the Commerce Ministry is treating the Iranian land corridor as a vital "trade-facilitation valve" to offset a 56% collapse in Afghan-route exports. This temporary pivot serves as a strategic "proof of concept" to determine if Iran can function as a permanent transit alternative, prioritizing immediate export volume and the survival of perishable goods over traditional, Western-aligned financial compliance.