Pakistan, March 27 -- Amid growing concerns about the potential economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), in collaboration with Pakistan Banks Association (PBA), has announced a comprehensive relief package.

According to a statement by the central bank on Thursday, the package aims to help relevant stakeholders including households and businesses (microfinance, SMEs, corporates, commercials, retail and agriculture) to manage their finances through this phase of disruption.

Through the package, banks' overall pool of loanable funds has been increased.

To support the banking sector to supply additional loans to businesses and households, SBP has reduced the Capital Conservation Buffer (CCB) from its exis...