The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Monday decided to keep the benchmark interest rate steady at 11 percent for the next one and a half months.

The announcement came after a detailed Pakistan monetary policy decision meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) in Karachi, chaired by SBP Governor Jameel Ahmad.

The central bank said the decision reflects its commitment to maintaining macroeconomic stability while supporting a gradual economic recovery. The committee reviewed key indicators such as inflation trends, foreign exchange reserves, and the balance of payments before opting to hold the rate unchanged.

According to the SBP, several factors shaped this Pakistan monetary policy decision — including persistent inflation, flood-related economic disruptions, and the implementation of IMF guidelines. The bank noted that keeping the rate unchanged would help contain inflation expectations without putting extra pressure on growth.

The MPC also took a close look at the exchange rate, global oil price fluctuations, and the current state of foreign exchange reserves. In addition, the committee discussed the country’s import and export performance, pointing out that the widening trade deficit remains a key challenge to external stability.