Pakistan's liquid foreign reserves rise to $26.83 billion
Pakistan's total liquid foreign exchange reserves rose to $26.833 billion in the week to October 16, 2026, according to data released by the State Bank of Pakistan on Thursday. The central bank's own reserves increased by $19 million to $21.489 billion, while net foreign exchange reserves held by commercial banks stood at $5.344 billion.
The weekly gain follows a period of fluctuation in the country's reserves, which the SBP attributes to a mix of external financing inflows and debt repayments. Inflows have come from commercial loans, multilateral financial institutions and international bond issuance, including Pakistan's Eurobond.
Pakistan's International Monetary Fund Extended Fund Facility and Resilience and Sustainability Facility arrangements, along with proceeds from a Panda bond, have also supported reserve accumulation, according to the central bank. Those inflows have been partly offset by external debt repayments, which have periodically reduced the SBP's holdings.
The data points to the continuing sensitivity of Pakistan's external position to the timing of financing inflows against repayment obligations. For a market that has leaned on multilateral and bond funding to rebuild buffers, the weekly reserve figure remains a closely watched gauge of external liquidity.
