September 18, 2026
State Bank reserves rose $3.061 billion in the week to 11 September to a record $21.4 billion, taking total liquid reserves to $26.8 billion — still just below the September 2021 peak.
August 26, 2026
The ratings agency has raised Pakistan's sovereign credit rating one notch to B3 with a stable outlook, citing rebuilt foreign-exchange reserves, better fiscal metrics and lower domestic financing costs.
June 25, 2026
A $459 million surplus in May pushed Pakistan's eleven-month current account into the black for the first time in years, even as the rupee stayed steady around 279 to the dollar and SBP reserves held above $17 billion.
June 25, 2026
Overseas Pakistanis sent home a record $4.3 billion in May, lifting the eleven-month total to $38.1 billion and giving Islamabad a rare external cushion as it negotiates IMF-mandated reforms.
March 4, 2025
Formal negotiations between the International Monetary Fund economic review mission and Pakistan’s economic team are set to commence today (Tuesday) for a $1 billion tranche from the $7 billion bailout deal. The talks will begin with a meeting between Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and the IMF delegation, where the finance secretary and other senior officials will brief on the economic situation and ongoing reforms. In July, Pakistan and the IMF finalised a three-year, $7 billion aid package designed to help the country establish macroeconomic stability and foster stronger, more inclusive growth. The 37-month Extended Fund Facility programme includes six reviews
January 29, 2025
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar says Pakistan will be the part of premium economic club of the world G-20 by 2030 due to its enormous economic potential. Speaking at the Pakistan Business Council’s Dialogue on the Economy in Islamabad, he emphasized all stakeholders to work collectively for economic sovereignty of the country. He said that we have become 24th largest economy of the world and inflation has been declined from double digit to four percent. Highlighting the achievements at diplomatic fronts made by country during the present PML-N government, he said that Pakistan became the non-permanent member
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) cut its policy rate by 200 basis points to 17.5 percent on Thursday as gauge and core inflation fell more than expected over the past two months. The rate cut will take effect from September 13, 2024. The SBP’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) attributed this decision to the fall in global oil and food prices and the delay in the expected hike in administrative energy prices. The central bank, however, warned of potential risks linked to global economic instability and domestic energy adjustments, urging a cautious approach to future monetary policies. Inflation eased to
Islamabad: The Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) has directed the Department of Petroleum to take positive steps to restart operations at the LPG (liquefied gas) plant of Jamshoro Joint Venture Limited (JJVL). This directive followed a report prepared by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) and discussed at a recent SIFC meeting. According to the report, JJVL’s annual LPG production is estimated at 91,250 metric tonnes (MT). Historically, Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGC) has earned over Rs 30 billion from JJVL across various operating models. The resumption of JJVL operations is expected to reduce LPG imports by 9%, potentially
KARACHI: Pakistan’s external economy, a net oil importer, is gaining momentum with a 20% drop in global crude prices since the recent peak as lower costs help reduce the import bill, build foreign reserves and improve external debt ability to repay. In a comprehensive report titled “Oil price collapse – a known safety net”, research house JS Global reported that international crude oil prices had cumulatively fallen 20% (or $17 a barrel) to a 15-month low of 72 .9 dollars since peaking at $91.17 in April 2024. Low oil prices, however, may prompt the government to increase oil development levy
Moody’s Ratings has upgraded Pakistan’s local and foreign currency issuer and senior unsecured debt ratings from CAA3 to CAA2, while changing the country’s outlook from stable to positive. This decision reflects the country’s improved macroeconomic conditions and moderately better government liquidity and external positions, despite remaining challenges. The upgrade to CAA2 means reducing Pakistan’s default risk, bringing it in line with the new rating level. This improvement is partly attributed to the recent staff-level agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a 37-month Extended Fund Facility (EFF) of $7 billion agreed on 12 July 2024. The IMF Board is
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