Pakistan has recorded a notable uptick in foreign investor activity as the balance of the Special Convertible Rupee Account (SCRA) saw a significant rise during the week ending April 24, 2026. According to the latest data released by the State Bank of Pakistan, the SCRA balance increased by 371.19 million rupees to settle at a closing position of 28.44 billion rupees. This growth reflects a period of heightened market engagement with the week witnessing a net buying of securities amounting to 15.95 billion rupees. The figures suggest a steady confidence among international investors as they navigate the local financial landscape through these specialized investment channels.
The total inflows into the Special Convertible Rupee Account reached 33.179 billion rupees during the week, driven by a combination of inward remittances, the sale of securities, and dividend payments. A substantial portion of these funds came from inward remittances, which were recorded at 22.75 billion rupees. Additionally, the sale of existing securities contributed 9.511 billion rupees to the total, while dividends received by investors added 917.63 million rupees to the inflow stream. These numbers highlight the diverse nature of foreign participation in the domestic market, ranging from fresh capital injections to the recycling of returns from existing holdings.
On the other hand, total outflows from these accounts through outward remittances, security purchases, and tax payments were recorded at 32.81 billion rupees. Outward remittances for the week stood at 7.339 billion rupees, while the purchase of new securities represented the largest share of the outflow, totaling 25.46 billion rupees. Tax payments on these transactions were also recorded at approximately 9.98 million rupees. The balance between these inflows and outflows points to a highly active trading week where foreign entities were aggressively reshuffling their portfolios within the Pakistani capital markets to align with global and local economic shifts.
The market value of investments across various asset classes showed mixed trends during this period, reflecting a dynamic shifting of investor preferences. Equity investments saw a downward adjustment in market value of 16.53 billion rupees, bringing the total closing position for the equity sector to 624.518 billion rupees. Conversely, there was a strong appetite for short-term government debt instruments, with the market value of investments in Treasury Bills (T-Bills) increasing by 9.742 billion rupees to close at 60.267 billion rupees. This suggests that investors may be seeking the safety and liquidity offered by government debt amid ongoing market fluctuations.
Meanwhile, investments in Pakistan Investment Bonds (PIBs) remained relatively stable with a marginal decline in market value of 18.49 million rupees, ending the week at 27.205 billion rupees. These figures provide a comprehensive look at how international capital is being distributed across the equity and fixed-income segments of the Pakistani economy. The net buying of nearly 16 billion rupees serves as a positive indicator for the country’s financial stability and its ability to attract and retain foreign interest despite broader global economic challenges. As the State Bank continues to monitor these flows, the SCRA data remains a critical barometer for measuring the pulse of international investor sentiment in the region.
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