The macroeconomic stability of Pakistan has received a substantial boost as the foreign exchange reserves maintained by the central bank experienced a dramatic double-digit surge within a single week. According to official data made public by the monetary authority, the liquid assets held directly by the State Bank of Pakistan expanded by nearly two billion dollars, marking a highly positive development for the country’s external account. The sharp upward movement reflects a major influx of capital that helps alleviate pressure on the national currency and strengthens the sovereign debt management capabilities of the government.
Specifically, the foreign exchange reserves held by the State Bank of Pakistan jumped by 1.94 billion dollars or 11.76 percent on a week-on-week basis, reaching a total of 18.47 billion dollars for the week ending July 3, 2026. Financial analysts point out that this single-week spike is one of the more significant volume increases recorded in recent months, substantially improving the import cover of the country. The central bank confirmed that this notable accumulation of foreign currencies was primarily driven by the successful realization of official inflows directed toward the Government of Pakistan.
This positive momentum translated directly into an expansion of the aggregate financial cushion of the country. The total liquid foreign reserves of Pakistan, which combine both central bank holdings and commercial bank balances, grew by 1.94 billion dollars as well, representing an 8.82 percent increase over the preceding week. The cumulative national pool now stands at 23.99 billion dollars. In contrast to the heavy inflows received by the state, the foreign currency assets managed by domestic commercial banks remained virtually flat, showing an incremental rise of just 0.3 million dollars or 0.01 percent to finish the week at 5.52 billion dollars.
Looking at the broader trajectory, the continuous accretion of dollars underscores a sustained recovery over both short-term and medium-term horizons. During the ongoing fiscal year, the reserves parked with the State Bank of Pakistan have grown by an impressive 3.97 billion dollars, translating to a substantial 27.37 percent expansion. When observed from a calendar year perspective, the central bank has managed to build its reserve base by 2.41 billion dollars since January, which equals a 14.93 percent growth rate.
This build-up provides the economic managers of the country with much-needed breathing room to meet upcoming external debt obligations and maintain market confidence. Experts suggest that keeping the foreign exchange reserves at these elevated levels will be crucial for keeping inflation expectations anchored and ensuring currency stability in the open and interbank markets moving forward.
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