KARACHI: In a positive development for Pakistan‘s economic landscape, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has witnessed a marginal increase of $4 million in its foreign exchange reserves, bringing the total to $8.022 billion as of March 22.
This increment marks a steady rise in the SBP’s reserves, with last week’s surge amounting to $105 million, and a cumulative increase of $126 million over three weeks.
While the central bank did not specify the reason behind this recent boost, analysts attribute it to various factors, including economic reforms and external inflows.
A significant contributor to the upward trajectory of Pakistan’s reserves is the recent staff-level agreement reached with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on the second and final review of the $3 billion Stand-By Arrangement (SBA). Upon approval by the IMF’s Executive Board, an additional access of US$1.1 billion will become available, further bolstering the country’s financial reserves.
“This agreement signifies a crucial milestone in Pakistan’s economic reform agenda,” stated financial experts. “The inflow from the IMF will not only provide a much-needed cushion to our foreign exchange reserves but also serve as a positive indicator for the overall health of the economy.”
Pakistan’s total liquid foreign reserves currently stand at $13.428 billion, with commercial banks contributing $5.406 billion to the overall figure.
The steady buildup of reserves reflects growing confidence in Pakistan’s economic outlook, particularly amidst ongoing efforts to address structural imbalances and enhance macroeconomic stability.
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