Stories by Shahid Iqbal

Shahid Iqbal is a reporter for Dawn based in Karachi with 38 years of experience covering politics and economics. His career includes seven years with the Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun, as well as roles at United Press International (UPI) and AFP.

Pakistan builds record reserves amid Gulf war

Financial sector considers SBP’s current reserves sufficient to keep exchange rate stable.

Published 06 Nov, 2026 06:59am

Climate finance must protect vulnerable communities: SBP

SBP governor says climate finance must go beyond supporting green investments to help communities anticipate risks, build resilience and adapt to climate change.

Published 04 Nov, 2026 07:00am

Private sector turns net borrower

SBP data shows private-sector net borrowing at Rs87bn between July 1 and Oct 23, compared with Rs29bn in debt retirement in the same period last fiscal year.

Published 03 Nov, 2026 07:08am

State Bank eyes open banking ecosystem

Draft rules aim to boost competition, innovation through secure data sharing.

Published 01 Nov, 2026 06:27am

State Bank launches small and medium enterprises digital portal

From Nov 1, SMEConnect will be the sole channel for financing applications; real-time tracking, rejection reasons, live dashboard.

Updated 30 Oct, 2026 09:23am

SBP hikes interest rate to 12pc amid inflation risks

• Middle East conflict, wheat supply frictions worsen inflation outlook • Central bank retains FY27 growth forecast at 3.5-4.5pc

Published 27 Oct, 2026 06:57am

Stakeholders see monetary tightening tomorrow

Bankers say 100bps hike needed to tame inflation as Middle East conflict drives up oil import costs.

Published 25 Oct, 2026 06:19am

Govt loans turn out to be stimulant for real estate

Banks wary of giving loans as most projects are illegal.

Updated 23 Oct, 2026 07:33am

Businesses repaying bank debt amid weak investment

Private sector retires net Rs91.8bn in first 100 days of current fiscal year.

Published 20 Oct, 2026 06:57am

Gulf inflows in domestic bonds

The largest investment came from the United Arab Emirates, which invested $50m in T-bills and $80m in PIBs during the period.

Updated 18 Oct, 2026 07:48am

CAD swells to $874m in July-Sept

Foreign direct investment increases 20pc to $719.7m in first quarter

Published 17 Oct, 2026 04:56am

Govt keeps treasury bill returns higher over policy rate

This was the last auction of T-bills before announcement of the next monetary policy on Oct 26.

Updated 15 Oct, 2026 08:53am

Gender gap in financial inclusion narrows

The central bank said women’s inclusion in the financial sector was essential for long-term economic prosperity and formed a key part of its Vision 2028.

Published 14 Oct, 2026 07:02am

Remittances rise 14pc to $10.9bn in July-Sept

UK records the highest growth among major sources, with inflows rising 19.4pc; Saudi Arabia remains the largest source, contributing $2.686 billion.

Updated 10 Oct, 2026 07:50am

92pc of retail transactions are digital: State Bank

Retail payments through formal banking channels registered a significant growth during FY26.

Updated 07 Oct, 2026 08:33am

Pakistan Investment Bonds attract inflows from Gulf investors

Higher yields, risk-free returns cited as key attraction.

Updated 06 Oct, 2026 08:08am

Tight monetary policy likely to continue

For the past four years, the government and the SBP have been satisfied with low but sustainable growth that creates no jobs and does not address poverty.

Updated 04 Oct, 2026 08:18am

T-bill yields jump beyond policy rate

Govt raises returns on different tenors by up to 75bps.

Published 01 Oct, 2026 07:02am

Inflation seen slowing to 10.75pc in September

Stakeholders believe oil prices to hover around $100 per barrel.

Updated 27 Sep, 2026 08:32am

Rs16bn bank-funded remittance reward scheme unveiled

Rs4bn to be distributed among 2,521 winners in each quarterly draw; each raffle to award Rs100m top prize; twenty Rs25m,100 Rs10m and 2,400 Rs1m prizes.

Published 26 Sep, 2026 04:59am