Islamabad (GNP): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has welcomed the State Bank of Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves reaching a record $21.4 billion, describing the increase as a significant development for the country’s external financial position.
According to data released by the State Bank of Pakistan, reserves held by the central bank stood at $21.389 billion as of September 11, 2026, while commercial banks held a further $5.402 billion. Total liquid foreign exchange reserves therefore reached approximately $26.79 billion.
The increase represents a substantial weekly rise in the State Bank’s reserves. The central bank’s holdings increased by about $3.06 billion during the week ended September 11, with the rise attributed to the receipt of Eurobond proceeds.
Sharif expressed gratitude over the reserves reaching the historic level and credited improvements in remittances, services exports, the current account position and financial discipline as important factors contributing to the country’s external position.
The development provides Pakistan with a larger stock of foreign currency reserves at a time when maintaining external stability remains an important economic priority.
The increase has also lifted the country’s overall import cover to slightly above three months, according to financial-sector analysis cited in reports on the latest reserve figures.
The latest figures show a marked improvement from the previous week’s position. SBP reserves had stood at $18.328 billion on September 4 before rising to $21.389 billion a week later.
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In his remarks, the prime minister attributed the improvement to measures taken by the economic team and highlighted the role of increased remittances and services exports.
He also pointed to the improved current account position and financial discipline. The rise in reserves is particularly significant for Pakistan because foreign exchange liquidity affects the country’s ability to meet external payment obligations and finance imports.
Higher reserve holdings can also provide a larger buffer against external financial pressures.
However, the latest increase includes a major one-off component from Eurobond proceeds, meaning the record level should be viewed alongside the underlying performance of exports, remittances, the current account and other recurring sources of foreign exchange.
The government has continued to emphasize stronger remittance flows, export growth and financial management as important elements of Pakistan’s economic strategy.
The latest reserve figures provide a snapshot of the country’s external liquidity position and will remain an important indicator for economic policymakers and financial markets.
The State Bank’s data also show that Pakistan’s total liquid foreign exchange reserves reached their highest combined level since September 2021, according to reporting on the latest figures.
