The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) has asked for some 400 basis points cut in the key policy rate to facilitate the industry.

Sheikh Sultan Rehman, vice president of the FPCCI, in a letter sent to Reza Baqir, governor of the State Bank of Pakistan, said that as per estimates August inflation numbers will be below 5 percent due to high base effect and depressed demand due to lockdown and other negative effects of COVID-19.

Any rise in prices due to supply shocks will not be supported by 2nd wave of inflation, he added.

Moreover, the external risk is managed because of partial foreign debt rescheduling, disbursement of 1.38 billion dollar under RFI and over 70 percent YoY reduction in current account deficit.

Therefore, with both demand driven and import based inflation in check there is every reason to gradually bring down the interest rates when the case for immediate relief is apparent.

"Therefore in light of these positive developments, we urge the SBP rather than lowering the rate to 5 percent in stages by August to immediately cut the rate by 400 bps especially when it is supported by strong rationale and demanded by extremely strenuous situation," the vice president of the FPCCI said.

Moreover, banks should be instructed to revise KIBOR on a monthly basis instead of quarterly/biannually to pass on the benefit of lower rates faster to companies struggling to survive, he suggested.

The impact on banks on their deposits will be insignificant as the majority are demand deposits instead of time deposits, he mentioned.

Sheikh Sultan asked the SBP to go the extra mile in these arduous times and leave no stone unturned in providing relief to the financially distressed businesses.