Pakistan
Central bank records reserves dropping to lowest level since June 2020
SBP says the decline reflects the repayment of debt
Karachi: The foreign exchange reserves held by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) declined 6.04% on a weekly basis, data released by the central bank showed on Thursday.
On April 1, the foreign currency reserves held by the SBP were recorded at $11,319.2 million, down $728 million compared with $12,047.3 million on March 25.
According to the central bank, this decline reflects the repayment of debt.
"Reserves decrease […] largely due to debt repayment and government payment pertaining to the settlement of an arbitration award related to a mining project," the central bank said.
Overall liquid foreign currency reserves held by the country, including net reserves held by banks other than the SBP, stood at $17,476.9 million. Net reserves held by banks amounted to $6,157.7 million.