Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves recorded another increase during the week ended August 20, 2026, with reserves held by the State Bank of Pakistan rising by $17 million. The central bank’s reserves reached $17.099 billion during the week, compared with $17.082 billion recorded a week earlier, according to data released by the State Bank of Pakistan.
The latest increase continues the recent movement in Pakistan’s foreign exchange position, although the weekly rise remained relatively modest. The State Bank of Pakistan’s reserves increased by $17 million over the week, bringing the total amount held by the central bank to just above $17 billion.
Pakistan’s overall liquid foreign exchange reserves were reported at $22.587 billion as of August 20, 2026. The total includes reserves maintained by the State Bank of Pakistan as well as foreign currency holdings of commercial banks. Of the total, $17.099 billion were held by the central bank, while commercial banks maintained $5.489 billion.
Reserves held by commercial banks also recorded an increase during the week. Their holdings rose by $65 million compared with the previous week, providing an additional contribution to the country’s overall foreign exchange reserve position. The increase in commercial bank holdings came alongside the $17 million rise recorded in the State Bank of Pakistan’s reserves.
The combined position of the central bank and commercial banks places Pakistan’s total liquid foreign exchange reserves at $22.587 billion. The figure represents the foreign currency resources available across the official reserve holdings and the banking sector and is closely watched as an indicator of the country’s external liquidity position.
The current reserve level provides Pakistan with approximately 2.6 months of import cover. Import cover is a measure used to indicate how long a country’s available foreign exchange reserves could finance imports if no additional foreign exchange inflows were received. At the current level, the reserves provide coverage for roughly two and a half months of imports.
The latest State Bank of Pakistan figures show that the central bank continues to hold the larger portion of the country’s liquid foreign exchange reserves. Its $17.099 billion position accounts for the majority of the total $22.587 billion reserves, while commercial banks hold the remaining $5.489 billion.
The weekly data also highlight a difference in the pace of movement between the two components. While the State Bank of Pakistan’s reserves increased by $17 million, commercial bank reserves recorded a larger weekly increase of $65 million. Together, the two movements contributed to the overall improvement in Pakistan’s liquid foreign exchange position.
Foreign exchange reserves remain an important indicator for Pakistan because they support the country’s ability to meet external payment requirements and finance imports. The level of reserves is also closely monitored by financial markets, businesses and policymakers as part of the assessment of external sector conditions.
With the State Bank of Pakistan’s reserves now standing at $17.099 billion and total liquid foreign exchange reserves at $22.587 billion, Pakistan entered the latter part of August with a slightly stronger reserve position than the previous week. The $17 million increase at the central bank and $65 million rise in commercial bank holdings contributed to the latest improvement, while the overall reserve position continued to provide around 2.6 months of import cover.
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