KARACHI: Most analysts predict a seventh consecutive rate cut by the State Bank of Pakistan on Monday, amid the first International Monetary Fund (IMF) review of a $7-billion bailout at the time of the lowest inflation in nearly a decade.

Pakistan could unlock a further tranche of funding if the IMF review is approved before the budget is unveiled in June, as it pursues economic reforms mandated by the IMF programme. The central bank’s easing cycle, one of the most aggressive among emerging markets, follows a series of rate cuts totalling 1,000 basis points (bps) over seven months, that took the key rate to 12pc, down from a record high of 22pc in June 2024. The latest cut, of 100bps, was in January.

February inflation stood at a near-decade low of 1.5pc, largely due to a high base a year ago. A Reuters survey of 14 analysts suggests that the central bank may further reduce rates, with a median forecast for a cut of 50bps. Of the 10 analysts expecting a rate cut, three estimated its size at 100bps, one at 75bps, and six at 50bps. The rest saw no change.

Most analysts expecting a rate cut believe the central bank will stop when rates hit 10.5 to 11pc, due to a potential rise in inflation. Inflation will “bottom out” in the year’s first quarter before gradually rising, said Ahmad Mobeen, senior economist of S&P Global, who anticipates average inflation of 6.1pc for 2025.

“The S&P Global HBL Pakistan Manufacturing PMI also indicates rising input costs, pushing manufacturers to hike prices in February at the fastest pace since October 2024,” he added. At its last policy meeting, the central bank kept its forecast of full-year GDP growth at 2.5pc to 3.5pc, and predicted faster growth would help boost foreign exchange reserves that had been lacklustre.

“While GDP posted 0.9pc growth in the first quarter of FY25, large-scale manufacturing remains in negative territory, and production has yet to gain momentum,” said Sana Tawfik, head of research at Arif Habib Ltd. “The transmission of lower rates to economic activity is yet to be seen.”

Published in Dawn, March 8th, 2025