SBP raises rate 100bp amid balance of payments ‘stress’

Inflation continues climb while reserves remain at critically low levels

state-bank-of-pakistan-sbp
The State Bank of Pakistan
Photo: SBP/Abbas Ali Khan

The State Bank of Pakistan raised its policy rate by 100 basis points on April 4, taking it to a new high of 21% as the country continues to battle severe balance-of-payments problems.

The central bank said the current account deficit had narrowed “considerably”, but acknowledged the overall balance-of-payments position “continues to remain under stress”. The rupee has fallen 4.3% against the dollar in the past month, and is down more than 36% on a year ago. The SBP’s reserves dwindled to just

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