Karachi, March 20, 2026 – The State Bank of Pakistan (State Bank of Pakistan) reported an increase of $106 million in the country’s weekly foreign exchange reserves for the week ended March 13, 2026.
According to the latest data, Pakistan’s total forex reserves stood at $12.704 billion, reflecting a modest weekly rise compared to the previous week. The movement was driven by gains in both official reserves held by the central bank and those maintained by commercial banks.
The SBP’s official reserves increased slightly by $13 million, reaching $16.354 billion, up from $16.341 billion recorded a week earlier. Meanwhile, reserves held by commercial banks showed a stronger increase, rising by $93 million to $5.35 billion compared to $5.257 billion in the preceding week.
Analysts attribute the growth in commercial bank reserves to higher inflows from workers’ remittances and improved export receipts, which continue to support external liquidity.
The country is also anticipating additional inflows into SBP reserves as discussions continue with the International Monetary Fund under the third review of the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) program. Successful completion of the review is expected to unlock further funding support.
Experts suggest that Pakistan needs to strengthen its forex reserves further, particularly in light of ongoing global and regional geopolitical uncertainties that could impact trade flows and external financing conditions.
Forex Reserves Breakdown
| Category | Amount (USD Billion) | Weekly Change |
| Total Forex Reserves | 12.704 | +0.106 |
| SBP Official Reserves | 16.354 | +0.013 |
| Commercial Banks Reserves | 5.35 | +0.093 |
The steady uptick in reserves signals gradual improvement in external account stability, though economists caution that sustained inflows will be essential to maintain momentum.