World Bank’s $200m KP Rural Investment Project Gains Momentum in Merged Districts
A World Bank-backed $200 million initiative in KP’s newly merged districts shows early success, benefiting 7,000 people and 61,000 farmers with climate-resilient services.
Pakistan Digital Payments Hit 92 Percent Share as Cashless Economy Accelerates
State Bank of Pakistan’s latest report reveals a massive shift toward digital channels, with retail transactions reaching PKR 167 trillion and Raast leading the growth.
Pakistan Banking Spread Narrows as Lending Rates Drop Sharply in February 2026
SBP data reveals a decline in weighted average lending rates to 11.02 percent and a slight rise in deposit returns, leading to a narrowed banking spread of 5.98 percent.
State Bank of Pakistan Approves Bank Alfalah Share Subdivision and Capital Restructuring
SBP issues No Objection Certificate to Bank Alfalah for Memorandum and Articles of Association amendments to facilitate proposed stock split and capital changes.
SBP Appoints Ghulam Muhammad as Executive Director of Islamic Finance Group
State Bank of Pakistan notifies banks and financial institutions as Ghulam Muhammad takes charge of the Islamic Finance Group effective March 18, 2026.
Russia Offers Discounted Oil to Pakistan Amid Middle East Energy Crisis
Russian Ambassador Albert Khorev states Moscow is ready to supply discounted crude oil to Pakistan, pending a formal request from Islamabad to mitigate rising fuel costs.
Middle East Tensions Ground Pakistan’s Aviation Sector; Fuel Costs Skyrocket
Regional conflict and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz trigger 1,955 flight cancellations in Pakistan, doubling jet fuel prices and spiking airfares by up to Rs150,000.
Pakistan Energy Sector Set to Outperform Amid Global Oil Surge and Geopolitical Tensions
Rising oil prices and Middle East instability drive growth in Pakistan’s E&P and OMC sectors, while cyclical industries face headwinds from potential interest rate hikes.
Pakistan Banking Sector Implements Austerity Measures and Hybrid Work Models to Drive Operational Efficiency
Pakistan’s banks shift to remote work on Fridays and adopt digital-first austerity measures following new State Bank of Pakistan guidelines to cut costs.
Pakistan Roshan Digital Account Inflows Surge to 12 Billion Dollars as February Deposits Hit 241 Million
State Bank of Pakistan reports a significant rise in Roshan Digital Account inflows for February 2026 with total deposits reaching a cumulative 12.17 billion dollars.