Pakistan’s foreign reserves dip to $14.21 billion

Pakistan’s foreign reserves dip to $14.21 billion

KARACHI: Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves have declined by $207 million to $14.208 billion by week ended July 29, 2022, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) said on Thursday.

The foreign exchange reserves of the country were at $14.415 billion by week ended July 22, 2022.

The country’s foreign exchange reserves hit all-time high of $27.228 billion on August 27, 2021. Since then the foreign exchange reserves have declined by $13.02 billion.

READ MORE: Pakistan forex reserves deplete to $14.42 billion

The official reserves of the State Bank also fell by $190 million to $8.8.385 billion by week ended July 29, 2022 as compared with $8.575 billion a week ago.

The SBP attributed the decline in foreign exchange reserves to external debt repayments.

It is pertinent to mention that the SBP received about $2.3 billion from Chinese banks for buildup of foreign exchange reserves. However, despite receiving the amount the external debt payment kept the pressure on the reserves.

READ MORE: Pakistan’s forex reserves decline to $15.24 billion

Further, the country is in negotiation with the IMF for release of next tranche under Extended Fund Facility (EFF) to boost its foreign exchange reserves.

The foreign exchange reserves held by the central bank witnessed a record high at $20.146 billion by week ended August 27, 2021. Since then the official reserves of the SBP declined by $11.761 billion.

READ MORE: Pakistan’s forex reserves drop to $15.61 billion

The commercial banks held foreign exchange witnessed a nominal decline of $17 million to $5.823 billion by week ended July 29, 2022 when compared with $5.84 billion a week ago.

The sharp decline in foreign exchange reserves has resulted in free-fall of rupee value.

The local currency ended historic low of Rs239.94 to the dollar at closing of interbank foreign exchange market on July 28, 2022.

READ MORE: Pakistan’s forex reserves deplete to $15.74 billion