Karachi, May 2, 2024 – Pakistan’s foreign exchange (forex) reserves have shown a modest increase, reaching $13.32 billion by the week ended April 26, 2024, according to the latest figures released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).
This represents a small but important rise of $36 million from the previous week’s total of $13.28 billion.
The SBP reported that its own reserves increased by $25 million over the week, reaching $8.006 billion from $7.981 billion. This increment in the central bank’s reserves marks a positive turn, albeit slight, in the country’s fiscal management amid challenging economic conditions.
In a separate but related development, the SBP also confirmed the receipt of a substantial $1.1 billion from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) earlier this week. However, this amount will be reflected in the official reserve figures in the next update, suggesting a more significant boost to Pakistan’s reserve levels is forthcoming.
Commercial banks in Pakistan too observed a rise in their holdings, with reserves inching up by $11 million to $5.31 billion from $5.299 billion a week earlier. This increment, although smaller in scale, contributes to the overall resilience and liquidity in the banking sector.
The recent uptick in forex reserves is seen by many analysts as a crucial buffer that helps stabilize the Pakistani rupee and provides a much-needed backstop against economic volatility. “The slight increase in reserves is a positive sign, but the anticipated addition of the IMF funds next week could provide a more substantial relief to the ongoing liquidity pressures faced by the country,” noted Zaeem Khalid, an independent financial analyst based in Karachi.
Pakistan has been grappling with economic challenges, including high inflation rates and pressures on its balance of payments. The government and the SBP have been actively seeking avenues to bolster economic stability, with efforts ranging from negotiating loan disbursements from international bodies like the IMF, to implementing various fiscal tightening measures domestically.
The timely assistance from the IMF comes as part of a broader bailout package that was negotiated to help Pakistan stabilize its economy. Analysts believe that the effective use of these funds is vital for implementing structural reforms and for bolstering investor confidence.
As Pakistan awaits the reflection of the recent IMF disbursement in its official forex reserves, stakeholders from various sectors express cautious optimism. They anticipate that these funds will not only aid in immediate fiscal stabilization but will also support the country’s long-term economic reform initiatives. The government, on its part, remains committed to ensuring that these financial injections translate into sustainable economic growth and stability.
