Pakistan's foreign exchange reserves rise to $26.86 billion
Total liquid reserves edged up by $65.9 million in the week to October 9, enough to cover about three months of imports.
At a glance
- Total liquid foreign reserves stood at $26.863 billion in the week ended October 9, 2026.
- The State Bank of Pakistan held $21.470 billion, up $15.8 million.
- Commercial banks held $5.394 billion, up $50.1 million.
- Reserves cover about 3.04 months of imports.
Pakistan's foreign exchange reserves crept closer to the $27 billion mark last week. Total liquid reserves rose by $65.9 million to $26.863 billion in the week ended October 9, 2026, according to State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) data.
The breakdown
| Holder | Reserves | Weekly change |
|---|---|---|
| State Bank of Pakistan | $21.470 billion | +$15.8 million |
| Commercial banks | $5.394 billion | +$50.1 million |
| Total | $26.863 billion | +$65.9 million |
Most of the week's increase came from commercial banks' holdings. The SBP's own reserves, which are watched most closely by markets and lenders, rose modestly from $21.454 billion.
Why it matters
Reserves are the country's buffer for paying for imports and servicing foreign debt. At current levels they cover about 3.04 months of imports — a far more comfortable position than during the low points of recent years.
The steady build-up comes at a difficult time for import bills. The Middle East conflict and disruption in the Strait of Hormuz have kept global oil prices above $100 a barrel, pushing up the cost of Pakistan's fuel imports, as reflected in domestic petrol prices near Rs390 a litre.
Separately, the Federal Board of Revenue met its first-quarter tax collection target of Rs3.053 trillion.
Questions people are asking
How much are Pakistan's foreign exchange reserves?
$26.863 billion in total liquid reserves as of October 9, 2026, according to the State Bank of Pakistan: $21.47 billion with the SBP and $5.39 billion with commercial banks.
What is import cover?
The number of months of imports a country could pay for with its current reserves. Pakistan's reserves cover about 3.04 months.
How we verified this story
GlobeHourly wrote this report in its own words after checking the facts against 2 independent sources: official statements, wire agencies and established news outlets. Read our standards.
