SBP injects Rs1.15tr to stabilise markets
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) conducted a major liquidity injection on Friday, deploying a total of Rs1.148 trillion into the banking system through a mix of conventional and Shariah-compliant open market operations (OMOs). Under the conventional reverse repo facility, SBP injected Rs970 billion, including Rs250 billion for a 6-day tenor at 11.10% and Rs720 billion (partially accepted) for a 14-day tenor at 11.08%.
Simultaneously, the Shariah-compliant Mudarabah OMO contributed Rs178 billion, split almost evenly between 6-day and 14-day tenors, both priced at 11.10%. This Rs1.15 trillion operation is among the largest single-day liquidity injections this year, signalling the SBP's proactive approach to maintaining stability in the interbank market amid tight liquidity conditions.
Meanwhile, the Pakistani rupee posted a marginal gain against the US dollar in the interbank market, appreciating by 0.02% on Friday. By the end of the trading session, the local currency closed at 282.02, up by five paisas from Thursday's closing rate of 282.07. According to Ismail Iqbal Securities, the rupee has depreciated by 1.23% on a calendar year-to-date (CYTD) basis and by 1.30% on a fiscal year-to-date (FYTD) basis.
On the commodities front, gold prices in Pakistan declined on Friday, reflecting losses in the international market. The fall came as the US dollar gained strength and investors responded to recent tariff announcements. However, a softer US inflation report sustained hopes of a possible interest rate cut.
According to the All-Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Sarafa Association (APGJSA), the price of gold dropped by Rs700 per tola, settling at Rs348,600, while the rate for 10 grams decreased by Rs599 to Rs298,868.
Adnan Agar, Director at Interactive Commodities, said the market remains range-bound. "Gold hit a high of $3,322 and is trading around $3,290, with strong support at $3,260," he noted, adding that, "Unless the price breaks above $3,340$3,350, downward pressure is likely to continue."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Express Tribune
REER improves to 96.6 in June
Listen to article The Real Effective Exchange Rate (REER) index for the Pakistani rupee improved to 96.6 in June 2025, down from 97.8 in May 2025, according to data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). The drop in REER suggests improved external competitiveness for the rupee. The rupee also appreciated slightly against the US dollar on Friday, gaining 0.04% in the interbank market. It closed at 284.87, up by 10 paisas from Thursday's closing rate of 284.97. In parallel, the SBP injected Rs11.05 trillion into the banking system through Open Market Operations (OMOs) on Friday, using both conventional and Shariah-compliant instruments. The bulk came through the conventional reverse repo OMO, with Rs11.371 trillion accepted. Most of this was in the 14-day tenor (Rs11.2 trillion at 11.03%), and a smaller portion in a 7-day tranche (Rs171.1 billion at 11.09%). Under the Shariah-compliant Mudarabah-based OMO, Rs115.5 billion was accepted, split between 7-day (Rs100 billion at 11.11%) and 14-day (Rs15.5 billion at 11.13%) tenors. These operations reflect SBP's focus on short-term liquidity management. Rates ranged from 11.03% to 11.13%, suggesting stable interbank market conditions. The pro-rata acceptance in some tenors points to selective liquidity control to balance market needs. Analysts view the scale of the injection as a sign of adequate banking liquidity. The slightly lower OMO rates may signal a shift towards monetary easing. Meanwhile, the APGJSA, said the price of gold per tola rose by Rs2,500 to Rs357,600 on Friday. The price of 10 grams increased by Rs2,143 to Rs306,584. A weaker US dollar and geopolitical uncertainty boosted gold's appeal as a safe-haven asset. Platinum prices, however, retreated after recently hitting a decade high.
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Business Recorder
C/A posts surplus of over $2bn after 14 years
KARACHI: Pakistan's current account balance recorded a surplus of over 2 billion dollars in the last fiscal year (FY25) for the first time in 14 years, driven by a substantial increase in workers' remittances. The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Friday reported that Pakistan has achieved a current account surplus of $2.1 billion in FY25 as against a deficit of $2.1 billion in the previous year (FY24). Khurram Schehzad, Advisor to the finance minister, has said that annual current account surplus has been recorded after a gap of 14 years, and the largest surplus in 22 years. He termed it a key development on the external front of Pakistan's economy, adding that the overall economic performance is encouraging and the country is on the right track due to appropriate policy measures. Monthly basis, the current account balance for the last month (June) of FY25 also posted a surplus of $328 million, compared to deficit of $500 million in June 2024. In addition, current statistics of June 2025 are also better than May 2025, in which the country posted $84 million deficit. Economists attribute this improvement to robust policy measures and consistent efforts by the federal government and the SBP to strengthen the external account and channel remittances through formal avenues. They said that all time high inflows of remittances is the major factor was behind the current account surplus in the last fiscal year. 'The remarkable shift was primarily fuelled by a sharp rise in workers' remittances, which provided crucial support to the external account,' they added. In a historic economic milestone, with a significant 27 percent growth, Pakistan recorded its highest-ever home remittance inflows, exceeding $38 billion during the last fiscal year FY25. According to SBP, Pakistan's trade deficit widened by $4.6 billion to $26.78 billion in FY25, compared to $22.18 billion in FY24. The increase was primarily driven by a higher import bill amid a pickup in economic activity. During the period under review, import bill increased by 11 percent to $59 billion from $53 billion. Exports also posted 4 percent or $1.295 billion growth to reach $32.295 billion in FY25 from $31 billion in FY24. Khurram Schehzad said that Real Effective Exchange Rate (REER) index has also dropped further to 96.6, rendering PKR more competitive against US$, which should support country's exports and keep external account in check. In addition, Pakistan Stock Market continues to be in the top Global rankings, currently 4th best globally Jul-25 to date, he said and added that on Friday Pakistan Equities Market (KSE-100) also crossed 140,000 points during the intraday trading, making a historic mark in its history, with market value crossing Rs 16.8 trillion (close to $60bn). Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Business Recorder
June C/A closes with $328m surplus: advisor
ISLAMABAD: Khurram Shahzad, adviser to the finance minister said that country's Current Account (CA) for June 2025 closes in $328 million surplus, taking full-year surplus to over $2.1 billion —annual surplus recorded after 14 years, and the largest surplus in 22 years. He further said that Real Effective Exchange Rate (REER) index has dropped further to 96.6, rendering PKR more competitive against US$, which should support country's exports and keep external account in check. Pakistan Equities Market (KSE-100) crossed 140,000 points, making a historic mark in its history, with market value crossing Rs16.8 trillion (close to $60 billion), he added. Separately, former caretaker minister Gohar Ejaz said the country is on track for positive economic development and growth, and any attempt to manipulate the exchange rate by any segment must be strongly resisted, as it would risk undoing three years of hard-earned economic stabilisation efforts. 'In June, the Real Effective Exchange Rate (REER) stood at 96.61, indicating that the Pakistani rupee is currently undervalued. It is essential to maintain a market-based exchange rate to preserve macroeconomic progress. The country is on track for positive economic development and growth, and any attempt to manipulate the exchange rate by any segment must be strongly resisted, as it would risk undoing three years of hard-earned economic stabilization efforts', Ejaz stated. He said that the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) must continue to maintain positive real interest rates in accordance with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) agreement and basic economic principles. However, the current policy rate is 11 percent, while full-year inflation for 2025 stands at 4.6 percent. Maintaining a policy rate that is 6.4 percentage points above inflation lacks sound economic justification, he added. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
