Karachi, September 11, 2025 – Pakistan’s foreign exchange (forex) reserves posted a slight improvement during the past week, according to the latest data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Thursday.
The central bank reported that the country’s total forex reserves climbed by $21 million, reaching $19.681 billion by the week ending September 6, 2025, compared with $19.66 billion recorded on August 29, 2025. The rise, though modest, reflects ongoing efforts to stabilize external accounts amid global economic uncertainty.
Breaking down the numbers, the official forex reserves held by the SBP increased by $33 million, bringing the total to $14.336 billion from $14.303 billion a week earlier. This improvement is seen as a positive sign for the central bank’s ability to manage external payments, particularly debt servicing and import financing.
Conversely, the reserves maintained by commercial banks witnessed a contraction. They slipped by $12 million, falling to $5.345 billion from the previous $5.357 billion. Analysts note that such fluctuations are common as banks adjust liquidity in line with foreign trade and private sector payment needs.
Economists remain optimistic about a stronger position ahead, as Pakistan is expected to receive a $1 billion tranche from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF). This inflow, coupled with steady remittances and exports, could strengthen forex reserves further in the coming months.
By comparison, Pakistan’s total reserves stood at $19.269 billion at the close of the last fiscal year on June 30, 2025, showing that the overall position has remained relatively stable during the first two months of FY26.