Banking Sector / Federal Board of Revenue

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Central bank raises policy rate by 50 basis points to 12pc​

News Desk
October 26, 2026



SBP Governor Jameel Ahmed addresses a press conference on October 26. — DawnNewsTV


The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Monday raised the key policy rate by 50 basis points to 12 per cent.

Addressing a press conference in Karachi, SBP Governor Jameel Ahmed said that the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) had met and reviewed the situation since the last meeting held in September.

He said that there were many “underlying factors” behind the decision, especially the inflation outlook. He cited the US-Israel war on Iran and its impact on energy and oil prices, developments in the domestic market and the subsequent impact on inflation.

He said that nine out of ten MPC members voted to raise the policy rate, while one member had a different view; they were of the opinion that it should be raised further.

He said that consumer expectations and other forecasters’ views were taken into consideration, as well as other macro factors, especially the impact of global commodity and oil prices on the external account and the impact of remittances and export trends.

Ahmed noted a deterioration in the current account since the last MPC meeting. However, he added: “The good thing is that its impact is still between zero and one per cent of GDP, and it will stay between that.”

He also shared that the central bank revised its outlook on remittances, from $44 billion to $45bn. On exports, the SBP governor said the trend was witnessing an improvement; however, it was not yet in line with the economy’s needs. He added that the bank estimated imports to be close to $71bn.