November 4, 2024: State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) ne aaj apna key policy rate 250 basis points kam karke 15% par set kar diya hai, jab ke zyada tar analysts ne 200bps ki cut expect ki thi. Yeh SBP ka lagataar chautha rate cut hai, jis se is saal June se lekar ab tak total 700bps ki kami ho chuki hai. Yeh kami inflation mein ahista rukawat aur growth ko barhawa dene ki koshish mein ki gayi hai.
October mein mulk ki annual inflation rate 7.2% par record hui, jo September mein 6.9% thi. Lekin ab bhi real rates significantly positive hain jo inflation ko central bank ke medium-term target ki taraf guide karte rehne ke liye zaroori hai.
International Monetary Fund (IMF) ne bhi Pakistan ki inflation forecast niche kar di hai aur FY25 ke liye ab 9.5% average consumer price gains ka estimate diya hai, jo ke pehle 12.7% tha.