Category: Money & Banking

Money and banking drive economic activity by facilitating transactions, savings, and investments. Banks manage financial resources, offer credit, and regulate money supply, ensuring stability and growth in Pakistan’s financial sector.

SBP raises Rs905 billion through market treasury bills auction

Karachi, January 7, 2026 — The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Wednesday raised Rs905 billion through the auction of Market Treasury Bills (MTBs), surpassing its initial target of Rs850 billion, reflecting strong investor participation and easing yield expectations.
(more…)

January 7, 2026
SBP approves due diligence for Afghan bank to acquire BAFL operations

Karachi, January 7, 2026 — The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has granted approval to Ghazanfar Bank of Afghanistan to initiate the due diligence process for acquiring Bank Alfalah Limited’s (BAFL) branches in Afghanistan. This step marks a significant development in the planned transaction, aimed at transferring BAFL’s Afghan operations to the Afghan banking institution.
(more…)

January 7, 2026
Private sector borrowing slumps 79% in 1HFY26 despite rate cuts

Karachi, January 7, 2026 — Private sector borrowing from commercial banks plunged by a massive 79% during the first half of FY2025-26, according to the latest monetary aggregates released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), highlighting weak credit demand despite aggressive monetary easing.
(more…)

January 7, 2026
Bank of Punjab launches Pakistan Skills Impact Bond to boost youth employment

Islamabad, January 1, 2026 – The Bank of Punjab (BOP), in collaboration with the British Asian Trust (BAT) acting as Transaction Advisors and Program Managers (TAPM), has officially launched the Pakistan Skills Impact Bond (PSIB)—a AAA-rated, Government of Pakistan-backed Term Finance Certificate (TFC) valued at Rs 1,000 million.
(more…)

January 1, 2026
JazzCash reaches 57 million users, boosts Pakistan’s cashless economy

Karachi, December 31, 2025 – JazzCash has crossed 57 million customers, underscoring the rapid adoption of digital payments in Pakistan as the government accelerates its push toward a cashless economy.
(more…)

December 31, 2025
Pakistani rupee loses Rs1.75 against dollar in 2025

Karachi, December 31, 2025 — The Pakistani rupee depreciated by Rs1.75 against the US dollar during the year 2025, according to data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). The interbank foreign exchange market closed on December 31, 2025, at Rs280.12 per dollar, compared to Rs278.55 per dollar at the same time last year.
(more…)

December 31, 2025
SBP orders banks to extend working hours on December 31 to facilitate taxpayers

Karachi, December 30, 2025 – The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Tuesday instructed all commercial banks to extend their working hours on December 31, 2025, to facilitate taxpayers in the smooth payment of government duties and taxes ahead of the year-end deadline.
(more…)

December 30, 2025
Retail payments in Pakistan grow 10% in Q1 FY26: SBP releases report

Karachi, December 30, 2025 – The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Tuesday released its Quarterly Payment Systems Review for the first quarter (Q1) of Fiscal Year 2025-26, reporting a significant 10% growth in retail payment transactions. The report provides a detailed analysis of Pakistan’s evolving payment ecosystem, highlighting key trends, digital adoption, and sectoral developments during the quarter.
(more…)

December 30, 2025
SBP declares bank holiday on January 1, 2026

Karachi, December 30, 2025 – The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Tuesday announced that all banks across the country will remain closed for public transactions on Thursday, January 1, 2026, in observance of a bank holiday. The circular issued by the SBP aims to inform the general public and banking customers to plan their financial activities accordingly.
(more…)

December 30, 2025
FIA intensifies crackdown on hawala and illegal currency exchange in 2025

ISLAMABAD, December 29, 2025 – The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has stepped up its nationwide action against hawala, hundi, and illegal currency exchange, seizing currency worth over Rs1.99 billion and arresting 667 suspects during 2025.
(more…)

December 29, 2025