SBP foreign exchange reserves plunge to critical level of $8.39 billion

Karachi: Foreign exchange reserves held by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) plummeted another $190 million to $8.39 billion -- an alarming level -- during the week ended on July 29, 2022, the cenreal bank's data said on Thursday.

Total liquid foreign reserves held by the country stood at $14.21 billion. Net foreign reserves held by commercial banks clocked in at $5.82 billion.

“During the week ended on 29-Jul-2022, SBP’s reserves decreased by $190 million to $8,385.4 million due to external debt and other payments,” said the SBP.

Total liquid foreign #reserves held by the country stood at US$ 14.21 billion as of July 29, 2022. For details: https://t.co/WpSgomnd3v pic.twitter.com/kMVhYndUIV

— SBP (@StateBank_Pak) August 4, 2022

Last week, foreign exchange reserves held by the central bank had declined $754 million.

The reserves’ position is critical for Pakistan which is desperately seeking dollar inflows to meet its balance-of-payments needs. A

low level of reserves has caused severe pressure on its currency market with the rupee witnessing its worst monthly performance in July in over 50 years.