Karachi, May 8, 2025 – Pakistan’s forex position showed improvement this week as the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) reported a notable increase of $231 million in the country’s overall foreign exchange reserves.
This rise offers a welcome boost to economic confidence amid ongoing financial reforms and upcoming external funding prospects.
According to the weekly report issued by the SBP, Pakistan’s total forex reserves climbed to $15.483 billion as of May 2, 2025. This marks a rise from the previous week’s level of $15.252 billion, recorded on April 25, 2025.
Breaking it down further, the official reserves held by the SBP increased by $118 million, reaching $10.333 billion by the end of the reported week. In contrast, the week prior saw official SBP reserves standing at $10.215 billion.
Meanwhile, forex reserves maintained by commercial banks also saw a healthy jump. They rose by $113 million, totaling $5.15 billion compared to $5.037 billion in the previous week. This uptick in private sector-held reserves reflects improved foreign inflows and growing investor trust in Pakistan’s financial stability.
Financial analysts have welcomed this steady growth in forex assets, noting that it comes at a crucial time when Pakistan is actively pursuing fresh international support. A significant driver of optimism is the anticipated disbursement of over a billion dollars from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), with an approval expected in the IMF board meeting scheduled for May 9, 2025. Analysts believe that this development could result in a further upward trajectory for SBP-managed forex reserves.
The positive shift in SBP and commercial bank reserves also signals Pakistan’s efforts to improve its current account position and maintain currency stability. With the country pushing for fiscal discipline and attracting remittances, the reinforcement of forex buffers could help shield the economy from external shocks.
As global conditions remain unpredictable, sustained growth in reserves will be key to safeguarding Pakistan’s economic resilience and enabling policy flexibility.