KARACHI: The official foreign exchange reserves of State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) have decreased around 32-month low at $8.238 billion by week ended June 17, 2022, official data revealed on Thursday.
The official reserves of the central bank fell by $747 million to $8.238 billion by week ended June 17, 2022 as compared with $8.985 billion by week ended June 10, 2022.
Previously, the foreign exchange reserves of the SBP were seen on November 01, 2019 when those were at $8.358 billion.
READ MORE: Pakistan’s central bank reserves shrink to one month import cover
Considering the current official reserves of the State Bank at $8.238 billion, the import cover is only for 1.21 months.
The central bank attributed the decline in foreign exchange reserves for external debt repayments. However, SBP reserves are expected to increase in coming days on realization of proceeds of China Development Bank (CDB) loan, the central bank added.
The foreign exchange reserves held by the central bank witnessed a record high at $20.146 billion by week ended August 27, 2021.
READ MORE: SBP’s forex reserves slip 2½-year low to $9.226 billion
Since touching the peak the central bank’s foreign exchange witnessed a continuous decline. The official reserves of the SBP fell around $11.91 billion by week ended June 17, 2022 from touching the peak on August 27, 2021.
The country is facing serious balance of payment crisis during the past many months. The foreign exchange reserves of the central bank have seen a constant decline.
The falling foreign exchange reserves also put pressure on the local currency. The Pakistani Rupee (PKR) is also depreciating to record low against the US dollar on daily basis.
The total foreign exchange reserves of Pakistan have declined to around three-year low at $14.21 billion by week ended June 17, 2022. Previously, the foreign exchange reserves of the country were seen at $14.259 billion by week ended July 5, 2019.
READ MORE: SBP’s forex reserves fall two-year low to $9.72 billion
The country’s foreign exchange reserves have fallen by $733 million to $14.21 billion by week ended June 17, 2022 as compared with $14.943 billion a week ago i.e. June 10, 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 $13.018 billion.
The foreign exchange held by commercial banks however slightly up by $14 million to $5.972 billion by week ended June 17, 2022 as compared with $5.958 billion a week ago.
