Karachi, February 26, 2026 – Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves recorded a notable increase of $106 million on a weekly basis, according to data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Thursday, reflecting improved external inflows and cautious optimism in the financial markets.
The SBP reported that the total liquid foreign exchange reserves of the country rose to $21.408 billion as of February 20, 2026, compared to $21.302 billion recorded a week earlier on February 13, 2026.
A breakdown of the figures shows that foreign exchange reserves held by the SBP increased by $16 million, reaching $16.213 billion, up from $16.197 billion in the previous week. Meanwhile, reserves held by commercial banks posted a stronger gain of $90 million, climbing to $5.195 billion from $5.105 billion.
Weekly Foreign Exchange Reserves Snapshot
| Category | Feb 13, 2026 ($ bn) | Feb 20, 2026 ($ bn) | Weekly Change ($ mn) |
| SBP Reserves | 16.197 | 16.213 | +16 |
| Commercial Banks Reserves | 5.105 | 5.195 | +90 |
| Total Liquid Reserves | 21.302 | 21.408 | +106 |
Economists believe that sustained foreign inflows remain critical for stabilizing Pakistan’s external sector, especially amid ongoing efforts to strengthen macroeconomic fundamentals. They noted that a delegation of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is currently in Pakistan to conduct a review under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) program.
Market analysts expect that successful negotiations with the IMF could pave the way for the release of the next tranche of funding, which would further bolster foreign exchange reserves and ease pressure on the balance of payments.
The recent increase in reserves is seen as a positive sign for currency stability, import financing, and overall investor confidence in Pakistan’s economy.