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Pakistan: Banking & Payments
NEWSWorld Bank flags Middle East conflict as top risk to Pakistan's economy
The World Bank warns a prolonged Middle East conflict could raise Pakistan's energy import bill, widen the current account deficit and strain foreign exchange reserves.
NEWSPakistan envoy seeks shift from counterterrorism to IT ties with US
Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh told a Washington tech forum Pakistan wants its US relationship to move from counterterrorism to information technology, as 16 Pakistani firms sought partnerships.
NEWSPakistan's liquid foreign reserves rise to $26.83 billion
The State Bank of Pakistan's holdings rose $19 million in the week to October 16, 2026, taking total liquid foreign reserves to $26.833 billion, with commercial banks holding $5.344 billion.
MARKETSAnalysts split on SBP rate call as inflation heads to 10%
Growth Securities expects October inflation near 10% and a 50-100bps policy rate rise on October 26, while AKD Securities argues improved external buffers justify holding rates.
- AI
Pakistan building Urdu AI model Buraq on sovereign compute, minister says
IT minister tells Seoul summit that Buraq, trained on Urdu and regional languages, will run on domestic compute so Pakistani data stays in Pakistan, built on digital public infrastructure.
NEWSBarclays to cut about 5,000 jobs by end-2026 in AI efficiency drive
Barclays plans to shed roughly five percent of its global workforce by the end of 2026, with about 60 percent of the cuts in support functions, as it reported a 13 percent rise in third-quarter net profit.
NEWSWorld Bank flags AI exposure for 61% of Pakistan's service-sector workers
A World Bank report finds 61 percent of Pakistan's service-sector workers hold occupations with above-median AI exposure, with wholesale and retail trade the key sector for the labour-market transition.
CYBER SECURITYState Bank of India reports dark web leak of 3,897 customer records
SBI says names, contact details and loan records were exposed on the dark web and that an independent cyber security agency is investigating. Customer balances are unaffected, it said.
NEWSPakistan revises National Savings profit rates across schemes
Special Savings Certificates now offer 12% for the first five payments, while short-term certificates pay up to 11.72% for one year and Islamic term accounts up to 12.12%.
NEWSWWF and SBP launch green transition toolkit for textile SMEs
The State Bank of Pakistan and WWF-Pakistan have unveiled a toolkit to help small and medium textile firms cut energy and water use and access green bank financing, aimed at keeping exports compliant with international environmental standards.
MARKETSKSE-100 slips 0.27% to 165,966 as weak sentiment persists
The benchmark index fell 453.63 points on Monday amid selling in banks, cement and oil stocks, with KTrade Securities citing a lack of fresh positive triggers and elevated Brent crude.
NEWSPakistan nominated to chair IMF and World Bank Boards of Governors in 2027
Pakistan was nominated to chair the IMF and World Bank Boards of Governors in 2027 and discussed a potential $1.5 billion financing arrangement using World Bank guarantees at the Bangkok annual meetings.
NEWSBank of Punjab leads PKR 17 billion Islamic facility for Novacare hospital in Islamabad
The Bank of Punjab has marked the financial close of a PKR 17 billion syndicated Islamic project finance facility for Novacare Hospitals, funding a 250-bed tertiary care hospital and feeder clinic in Islamabad.
NEWSPakistan's balance of payments swings to $4.39bn deficit in September
State Bank of Pakistan data show the overall balance of payments moved to a $4.39 billion deficit in September from $118 million in August, as the current account gap widened and the quarterly goods trade deficit grew 21.1%.
NEWSSBP says reserves rebuilt to $21.5bn through FX purchases, not borrowing
Governor Jameel Ahmad told investors in Bangkok that reserves rose from under $3bn in February 2023 to $21.5bn by October 9, 2026, with forward liabilities cut to below $1bn.
MARKETSKSE-100 falls 669 points as cautious trading caps volatile week
The benchmark index closed at 166,419 after swinging through a 2,927-point range, with market capitalisation down eighty-nine billion rupees and analysts pointing to profit-taking and economic uncertainty.
NEWSPakistan seeks Fitch assessment for BB sovereign rating
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb sought Fitch Ratings' assessment of the requirements for progressing towards the BB sovereign rating category at the World Bank Group–IMF Annual Meetings 2026 in Bangkok.
POLICY & REGULATIONAurangzeb holds financing talks with banks and UNDP at IMF-World Bank meetings
Muhammad Aurangzeb met Sharjah Islamic Bank, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, Ajman Bank and UNDP's Alexander De Croo in Bangkok, discussing Sukuk issuance, Panda bonds and possible tokenisation of Eurobonds.
POLICY & REGULATIONShehbaz Sharif orders FBR restructuring with operational autonomy at its core
Shehbaz Sharif has directed reforms to the Federal Board of Revenue, with officials saying full operational autonomy is needed to shield tax collection from political interference amid an 868 billion rupee shortfall.
- MARKETS
Pakistan's current account deficit widens 16pc in first quarter on import bill
The State Bank of Pakistan reported a current account deficit of USD 874 million for July-Sep of FY27, up from USD 755 million a year earlier, as goods imports rose to USD 17.7 billion.
