KARACHI: Pakistan’s total liquid foreign reserves rose to $21.89 billion in the week ending April 3, official data showed on Thursday, with central bank holdings increasing by $19 million.
The figures do not yet account for significant outflows that followed, including a $1.3 billion Eurobond repayment on April 8 and about $126 million in associated interest payments, taking total recent external debt servicing to around $1.4 billion.
The increase reflected in the latest data release came amid a volatile global economic situation, with energy supply and trade route disruptions linked to the war in Iran.
“The total liquid foreign reserves held by the country stood at US$ 21,894.9 million as of 3-Apr-2026,” the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) said in a statement.
“During the week ended on 3-Apr-2026, SBP’s FX reserves increased by US$ 19 million to US$ 16,400.3 million,” it added.
The statement said the total reserves of $21.89 billion include $16.40 billion held by the SBP and $5.49 billion with commercial banks.
Pakistan’s reserves had fallen to critically low levels in 2023, covering less than one month of imports at one point, before stabilizing as the country implemented structural reforms under an International Monetary Fund program.
These reforms included fiscal consolidation, market-based exchange rate adjustments, higher energy tariffs and measures to rebuild external buffers, which have helped improve macroeconomic indicators and restore a degree of stability to the external account.
However, reserves remain closely watched as a key indicator of Pakistan’s ability to meet external financing needs, particularly in a period of elevated global uncertainty and repayment obligations.
