Usman Hanif

KARACHI: Pakistani households received some respite this week as the Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) registered a notable decline of 0.45% for the week ended July 9, 2026, but the year-on-year reading remained in stubborn double digits. The decline offered partial relief amid easing global oil prices linked to the recent US-Iran peace deal. The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) reported that the combined SPI stood at 352.66 points, down from 354.24 points in the previous week.

KARACHI: Despite the absence of structured educational, training or welfare support, remittances sent by Pakistani workers hit a record $41.58 billion through formal banking channels during FY2025-26, providing a vital cushion to the country's external account. According to provisional data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), inflows rose 8.6% in fiscal year 2026 from $38.30 billion in FY2025, adding nearly $3.29 billion.

KARACHI: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has set an ambitious target to raise small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) financing to Rs1.5 trillion by June 2028, with plans to expand the number of SME borrowers to 750,000, Governor Jameel Ahmad announced on Wednesday.