{
  "id": 11237198,
  "title": "IMF Wants Market-Based Rupee, Higher SBP Rate",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/imf-wants-market-based-rupee-higher-sbp-rate",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-10-01T16:22:23.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ProPakistani",
    "slug": "propakistani",
    "url": "https://propakistani.pk/2026/10/01/imf-wants-market-based-rupee-higher-sbp-rate/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) continue to differ over economic policy, with Islamabad advocating for a stable rupee and the IMF advocating for a market-based exchange rate. The IMF mission has stressed the need for tight monetary policy to curb inflation. The State Bank of Pakistan maintains its 11.5 percent policy rate is appropriate. The Pakistani government remains confident about achieving its 4 percent growth target despite risks from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Expected inflation is around 7.5 percent for the fiscal year, with projections that it could fall after December. The authorities expect the rupee to stay stable, preventing any immediate devaluation. Differences persist between the two sides on both the exchange rate and monetary policy. Pakistan anticipates inflation to hover between 7 percent and 8 percent during the fiscal year, potentially reaching 7.5 percent if oil prices stay at $80 per barrel, or 8.2 percent if they climb to $100 per barrel. The economic team forecasts a current account deficit of $2.5 billion to $3 billion, with exports at $34 billion and remittances at $45.5 billion. Remittances increased by 14.7 percent in the first two months of the fiscal year. Imports are projected between $69 billion and $70 billion, with higher foreign exchange reserves aiding external stability. Domestic food production may lessen the import burden, while higher international rice prices could add $300 million to export earnings. The government insists the Middle East war will not significantly affect economic growth and reaffirms its 4 percent growth target. However, higher oil prices and global supply chain disruptions are highlighted as key risks. The IMF review continues to center on exchange rate policy, monetary policy, inflation, and the external sector.",
  "summary": "Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) remain divided over exchange rate policy as talks on the country’s economic review … Read More The post IMF Wants Market-Based Rupee, Higher SBP Rate appeared first on ProPakistani .",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}