Pakistan's headline inflation decelerated on Monday to 20.7% on a year-on-year basis in March, marking a notable decrease from the previous month's reading of 23.1%.
This encouraging trend, reported by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), suggests a potential shift in the country's economic landscape.
This latest inflation figure, the lowest since May 2022, has stirred discussions regarding the trajectory of Pakistan's monetary policy. It is noteworthy that for the first time in over three years, the Consumer Price Index (CPI)-based inflation has fallen below the critical policy rate, currently set at 22%.
The Ministry of Finance's projection of CPI-based inflation hovering around 22.5-23.5% in March 2024 has been outstripped by the actual figure, lending credence to expectations of an impending reduction in the key interest rate.
Despite the recent hike in petrol prices, with an increase of Rs9.66 per liter, the overall inflationary pressures have shown signs of moderation. The government's measures, including a revised relief package for Ramadan, have contributed to alleviating the impact of heightened demand during the religious festival.
Furthermore, global dynamics have played a role in shaping inflation trends, influencing the overall economic outlook.
Brokerage firms such as Arif Habib Limited (AHL) and IGI Securities have also weighed in on the matter, forecasting a further decline in inflation levels for March 2024. AHL predicts a year-on-year headline inflation rate of 20.2%, while IGI Securities estimates a national CPI growth of 20.3% year-on-year.
The disaggregated data provided by the PBS reveals that urban CPI inflation increased to 21.9% year-on-year in March 2024, compared to the previous month's 24.9%. Similarly, rural CPI inflation stood at 19.0% year-on-year, reflecting a downward trend from the previous month's 20.5%.
The State Bank of Pakistan's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has maintained a cautious stance, keeping the key policy rate steady at 22% in its last meeting. While acknowledging the noticeable decline in inflation, the MPC remains vigilant, emphasizing the need for continuity in the current monetary stance to achieve the target inflation range of 5–7% by September 2025.
As Pakistan navigates through these economic dynamics, stakeholders await further developments, particularly regarding the future direction of monetary policy in response to the evolving inflationary landscape.
