Foreign exchange reserves held by the State Bank of Pakistan posted a week-on-week increase of USD 32.8 million, or 0.19 percent, rising to USD 17.26 billion during the week ended July 17, 2026. Official figures released by the central bank confirm that central bank reserves rose from USD 17.2258 billion held in the prior week to reach USD 17.2586 billion. The growth reflects steady capital inflows, which helped build reserve buffers for the primary monetary authority during the middle of the calendar year.
Despite the growth in central bank holdings, Pakistan total liquid foreign exchange reserves recorded a minor contraction during the same weekly period. Total liquid reserves fell by USD 5.9 million, or 0.03 percent week-on-week, settling at USD 22.67 billion compared to USD 22.6755 billion reported in the preceding week. This slight decline in overall national reserves was caused by a drop in net foreign reserves held by commercial financial institutions across the banking sector.
Net foreign reserves held by commercial banks declined by USD 38.7 million, or 0.71 percent week-on-week, dropping to USD 5.411 billion from USD 5.4497 billion recorded seven days earlier. The outflow in commercial bank reserves offset the weekly accumulation recorded by the central bank, resulting in the slight net dip in total liquid holdings. Overall, central bank reserves have grown by USD 1.20 billion, or 7.38 percent, since the beginning of the current calendar year.
In addition to weekly tracking figures, monthly reserve statistics released by the State Bank of Pakistan revealed broader long-term reserve accumulation. By the close of June 2026, central bank reserves expanded by USD 1.19 billion to reach USD 18.3762 billion, up from USD 17.1893 billion recorded at the end of May 2026. On an annual basis, SBP reserves surged by USD 3.87 billion, or 26.68 percent, compared to the USD 14.5058 billion reported in June 2025.
Commercial bank reserves recorded contrasting trends on a monthly and yearly scale at the end of June 2026. Commercial holdings stood at USD 4.8574 billion at the close of June 2026, dropping by USD 62.8 million compared to USD 4.9202 billion held in May 2026. However, when measured against the USD 4.7634 billion recorded in June 2025, commercial bank reserves remained higher by USD 94 million year-on-year.
Pakistan total liquid foreign reserves closed the month of June 2026 at USD 23.2336 billion, reflecting a monthly gain of USD 1.1241 billion over May 2026 levels of USD 22.1095 billion. Measured over a twelve-month horizon, total national reserves expanded by USD 3.9644 billion, or 20.57 percent, compared to June 2025 figures. The data points to sustained long-term growth in central bank liquidity, helping stabilize external sector indicators and import cover requirements across the national economy.
Follow the PakBanker Whatsapp Channel for updates across Pakistan’s banking ecosystem.