The State Bank of Pakistan will unveil the final monetary policy for this fiscal year today, with financial markets and institutions closely monitoring the critical decision on the interest rate.

Financial polls show that 49 percent of respondents expect the central bank to maintain the interest rate in the next monetary policy. Similarly, 49 percent believe that the State Bank may hike the interest rate in the forthcoming policy announcement.

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The study also finds that 34 percent of respondents expect the Monetary Policy Committee to raise the interest rate by 50 basis points, while 15 percent think the increase may be as high as 100 basis points. But 2 percent of respondents anticipate a possible interest rate reduction.

Market watchers expect the central bank to keep interest rate at 11.5 percent supported by lowering global oil prices, contained inflation trends and stability in the rupee.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto has praised the peace deal between US and Iran.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in a statement here on Saturday said that the peace deal is a landmark step towards easing of tensions and peace through talks.

The positive progress is a credit to the smart leadership and commitment of all stakeholders involved in the process.

Bilawal Bhutto paid gratitude to the Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for pushing the process forward, and appreciated Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir’s continuous support for regional stability.

Prime Minster Shehbaz Sharif has announced a deal has been struck between the US and Iran.

“After intense negotiations we are happy to announce that the Peace Deal between the United States of America and Islamic Republic of Iran has been REACHED,” he writes on X.Both parties announced an immediate and permanent end to military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon.
US President Donald Trump has acknowledged Pakistan’s news that US and Iran had reached an agreement.“The Deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now dead,” he says on Truth Social.”I hereby fully authorise the toll free opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and at the same time I authorise the immediate removal of the United States Naval blockade,” he says.

Saturday, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres lauded the US-Iran peace deal with its permanent ceasefire and reopening of the Strait of Hormuz as a “critical step” towards settling the war in the Middle East on Sunday.

“The Secretary-General hopes that the parties will build on this new momentum and redouble their efforts towards a final resolution of the conflict,” said Guterres in a statement attributed to his spokesperson Stephane Dujarric.

The Secretary-General also expressed “deep appreciation for the constructive role played by Pakistan, Qatar, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and other regional countries in supporting the negotiations that led to the peace deal,” the statement stated.

It added: “The Secretary-General reaffirms that the United Nations stands ready to support the parties in achieving a durable and comprehensive peace.”

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif says an agreement has been reached between the US and Iran.

“AFTER EXTENSIVE DISCUSSIONS WE ARE HAPPY TO ANNOUNCE THE PEACE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN HAS BEEN REACHED,” he posts on X.Both parties have announced the immediate and permanent cessation of hostilities on all fronts, including Lebanon.”

US President Donald Trump has confirmed Pakistan’s news that the US and Iran have achieved a deal.“The Deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now dead,” he says on Truth Social.”I hereby fully authorise the toll free opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and at the same time I authorise the immediate removal of the United States Naval blockade,” he says.