SBP to identify Pakistan’s key economic challenges through new assessment

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has announced that it will host its first-ever National Conference on Pakistan Economy on 18 December 2026 in Karachi to identify the country's key economic challenges and develop a long-term roadmap for sustainable economic growth.

 

According to the central bank, the conference will bring together academics, policymakers, market practitioners and industry experts to discuss how Pakistan's economic policies should adapt to recurring global shocks, volatile commodity and energy markets, and structural economic changes.

 

The SBP said Pakistan's reliance on imported energy has increased its vulnerability to external shocks, making it more difficult to maintain price stability and conduct effective monetary policy. It emphasised that building stronger external buffers will require a competitive export sector, deeper domestic financial markets and greater foreign capital inflows.

 

The conference will focus on two key themes: monetary policy transmission amid supply shocks and structural shifts, and the role of capital inflows and export competitiveness in strengthening external sector sustainability. It will also showcase research aligned with the SBP's Research Agenda 2026–2029.

 

The central bank has invited researchers, academics and policymakers to submit original research papers. Abstracts are due by 20 August 2026, full papers by 30 September, with selected authors to be notified by 15 October. Final presentations must be submitted by 15 November, ahead of the conference in December.