In addition to the above, a number of banks are already in the Pilot Phase with others approaching SBP to initiate Branchless Banking business. It also gives me immense pleasure to share that one of the largest mobile operators in the country and the largest private sector banks is already flexing its muscles to enter into the Branchless Banking arena.
Even as the effects of the pandemic overall appear to be subsiding, the ebbs and flows in the spread of the COVID-19 virus (in addition to other respiratory viruses) continue to add significant volatility to monthly inflation readings in these sectors. Crucially, we must be vigilant to ensure that pandemic-era cost pressures and disruptions do not have lasting effects on inflation.