Cricket is not Cricket without Shahid Afridi

·   The SBP adopts a cautious approach to monetary policy to ensure sustainable economic growth and reduces the policy rate by 100bps to 12%, against our expectation of a 200bps cut. ·   On a positive note, the SBP revises downward its inflation forecast to a range of 5.5% to 7.5%, with the revised current account assumption expected to be in the range of a surplus of 0.5% to a deficit of 0.5% of GDP for FY25. ·   We expect SBP to reduce interest rates by 250bps to 9.5% during the remainder of CY25 with most of the easing in 1H. SBP adopts cautious approach for 100bps cut: SBP monetary policy committee cautiously approached monetary policy to ensure sustainable economic growth and cut policy rate by 100bps to 12%, against our expectation of 200bps. This decision is based on continuous disinflationary trend driven by moderate domestic demand and supportive supply side dynamics. However, core inflation is still at an elevated level and impact of 1,000bps cut in policy rate ...

Pakistan set to issue first-ever $200m panda bonds in June Pakistan plans to issue its first-ever panda bonds in June 2025, marking a significant step toward strengthening its financial relationship with China. The yuan-denominated bonds, to be issued in China’s capital markets, aim to raise $200 million, diversify Pakistan’s foreign exchange exposure, and attract Chinese investors.  “We just want to make sure that we are also present in the second largest and second deepest capital market in the world,” Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said this while speaking to Hong Kong-based TVB news channel. He hoped the new “export-led” model would help buoy his country’s economy, it reported. The bonds come as Pakistan celebrates its 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations with China. Panda bonds, typically issued by non-Chinese entities to tap into China’s investor base, are expected to complement Pakistan’s efforts to reduce its reliance on the US dollar while creating new avenues fo...