ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) has started work on installing rapid PCR (polymerase chain reaction) testing facilities for passengers traveling to the UAE from Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi, a spokesperson for the authority has said.
The UAE lifted a ban on transit passenger traffic from India, Pakistan, Nigeria and other countries on August 5, but requires passengers traveling from these destinations to present negative rapid PCR tests taken no longer than four hours prior to departure. The PCAA had earlier said the country did not have the resources to conduct rapid PCR tests, and only rapid antigen testing (RAT) was currently available at Pakistani airports.
The more expensive PCR test detects the presence of viral RNA and can determine a COVID-19 infection even before the person becomes infectious, allowing for early isolation. The RAT test detects viral proteins, revealing patients at the peak of the infection when the body has the highest concentration of proteins.
“Different laboratories have informed [us] that they have procured Rapid PCR testing machines and will be able to install them at airports within next few days,” PCAA spokesperson Ismail Khoso told Arab News on Wednesday. “We are also in touch with the foreign ministry to get relaxation from the UAE government.”
So far, Sialkot International Airport is the only airport in Pakistan to install a rapid PCR testing facility.
“We are working on similar lines [as Sialkot] as we have asked airlines and UAE-approved labs to install rapid PCR testing machines at our major airports,” Khoso said, adding that unlike the small Sialkot airport, the country’s main ports catered to hundreds of UAE-bound passengers every day.
Sialkot introduced the testing facility on Monday as an initiative by local businessmen. The airport itself has the distinction of being the first privately owned public airport in Pakistan, built through funding and efforts by the business community of Sialkot. Along with the nearby cities of Gujranwala and Gujrat, Sialkot forms part of the so-called “Golden Triangle” of Pakistan’s industrial cities with export-oriented economies.
“As soon as we have learnt that they [Sialkot airport] required Rapid PCR test, we moved with the aim to facilitate our business community and passengers,” the airport’s chairman Khawaja Masood Akhtar told Arab News.
The business community welcomed the move.
“We have a lot of businesses which need connectivity with the UAE, as COVID-19 has already affected it due to restrictions,” Qaiser Iqbal Baryar, president of the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industries (SCCI), said.
Hassan Waseem, a businessman flying to Dubai from Sialkot, told Arab News he was glad he would not have to wait any longer.
“I have waited for my business trip for three months,” he said. “Thankful that I would not miss my meeting due to the rapid PCR test issue.”
Pakistan to install rapid COVID-19 testing at three main airports for UAE travel
https://arab.news/mfrne
Pakistan to install rapid COVID-19 testing at three main airports for UAE travel
- UAE lifted Pakistan travel ban but requires passengers to present negative rapid PCR tests
- Sialkot International Airport is only Pakistani port with rapid PCR testing facility
Majority market participants expect no rate change ahead of Dec. 15 Pakistan policy meeting – survey
Majority market participants expect no rate change ahead of Dec. 15 Pakistan policy meeting – survey
- Topline survey finds 70% expect State Bank to hold interest rate at 11%
- Analysis cites flood-driven inflation risk, rising imports as key reasons for caution
ISLAMABAD: Most financial market participants expect Pakistan’s central bank to keep its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 11% when it meets on December 15, according to a new survey by brokerage Topline Securities.
Pakistan’s State Bank has held rates steady since May and maintained the same stance in October, its fourth consecutive pause, after recent floods had a milder-than-expected impact on crops and inflation. The central bank said earlier that the effects of previous interest rate cuts were still filtering through the economy, meaning businesses and consumers were still adjusting to cheaper borrowing. Because of that, the bank felt it was better to keep policy steady for now instead of cutting rates again.
The latest Topline poll reflects that sentiment, with investors largely expecting the bank to hold until inflation pressures ease more decisively. Pakistan has reduced rates sharply over the past 18 months — from a peak of 22% in 2024 to 11% at present — but policymakers have warned that price risks could rise again as imports pick up and agriculture recovers.
Topline said 70% of market participants expect no change, while 30% foresee a cut of 25–100 basis points. No respondents expect an increase despite one member of the SBP board having voted for a rate hike during the September meeting, according to published minutes.
“Continuation of status quo opinion in majority of the participants is driven by floods, higher inflation expected in the second half of FY26, and base effects,” Topline said in its note summarizing the poll.
The brokerage added that lowering rates too soon could encourage non-oil imports at a time when Pakistan is trying to consolidate gains in foreign exchange reserves and keep the balance of payments stable. Price pressure is expected to sit above the central bank’s medium-term 5–7% target range for several months before easing next fiscal year.
Yields in the secondary market also point to stability. Six-month treasury bills are trading near 10.97%, almost unchanged since October, while the six-month interbank benchmark stands at 11.16%.
Pakistan raised its GDP outlook in October to the upper half of its 3.25–4.25% projection range for fiscal year 2026, citing better crop output and improvements in industrial demand.
The central bank expects reserves to rise to around $15.5 billion by the end of 2025 and close to $17.8 billion by June 2026, assuming planned inflows materialize.
