Foreign exchange reserves held by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) increased by $14 million during the week ended August 7, 2026, reaching $17.06 billion, according to the latest data released by the central bank. The increase represents a weekly rise of 0.08%, taking the reserves held by SBP from $17.043 billion recorded on July 31, 2026, to $17.057 billion as of August 7.
The latest movement indicates a modest improvement in the country’s official foreign exchange position during the reported week. SBP reserves remain the largest component of Pakistan’s total liquid foreign exchange reserves, which also include reserves maintained by commercial banks. The weekly data provides an indication of the movement in the country’s external liquidity position and the foreign currency holdings available across the banking system.
Pakistan’s total liquid foreign exchange reserves also recorded an increase during the week. Total reserves rose by $23.7 million, or 0.11%, reaching $22.498 billion on August 7, compared with $22.475 billion a week earlier. The increase in overall reserves was supported by growth in both the reserves held by SBP and those maintained by commercial banks.
Foreign exchange reserves held by commercial banks increased by $9.7 million during the same period. Their reserves rose from $5.432 billion on July 31 to $5.441 billion on August 7, representing a weekly increase of 0.18%. Although the increase in commercial bank reserves was smaller in absolute terms than the movement in the SBP position, it contributed to the overall rise in Pakistan’s liquid foreign exchange reserves.
According to the weekly data, SBP held $17.057 billion in foreign exchange reserves as of August 7, compared with $17.043 billion on July 31. Net foreign reserves held by banks stood at $5.441 billion, up from $5.432 billion in the previous week. As a result, total liquid foreign reserves reached $22.498 billion, compared with $22.475 billion recorded at the end of the preceding week.
The latest figures also show that Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves have recorded an increase during the current calendar year. Reserves have risen by approximately $1 billion, representing growth of 6.13% over the period. The year-to-date improvement comes as movements in official reserves continue to remain an important indicator for Pakistan’s external financial position.
The level of reserves maintained by the central bank is closely watched by financial institutions, businesses and investors because foreign exchange holdings form an important part of the country’s external liquidity position. Changes in reserves can reflect movements in foreign currency inflows and outflows across the economy, although the weekly figures alone do not identify the specific sources behind each change.
The latest increase comes with SBP reserves remaining above the $17 billion mark. The central bank’s holdings stood at $17.057 billion at the end of the week, while commercial banks held a further $5.441 billion. Together, these holdings brought Pakistan’s total liquid foreign exchange reserves close to $22.5 billion.
The August 7 data therefore reflects a continued, though modest, weekly improvement in Pakistan’s foreign exchange position. SBP reserves increased by $14 million, commercial bank reserves rose by $9.7 million, and the combined stock of liquid foreign exchange reserves increased by $23.7 million during the week. On a calendar-year basis, the overall reserve position has increased by approximately $1 billion, or 6.13%, according to the latest figures.
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