SBP Reserves Rise by $19 Million to $21.49 Billion
The SBP reserves rose by $19 million to $21.49 billion in the week ended 16 October 2026, the State Bank of Pakistan…
The SBP reserves rose by $19 million to $21.49 billion in the week ended 16 October 2026, the State Bank of Pakistan said on 22 October. Pakistan’s total liquid foreign reserves, which include commercial banks’ holdings, slipped by about $30 million to $26.83 billion.
SBP reserves: weekly breakdown
| Reserves | Week ended 16 Oct 2026 | Weekly change |
|---|---|---|
| State Bank of Pakistan | $21.49 billion | + $19 million |
| Commercial banks (net) | $5.34 billion | About – $49 million |
| Total liquid reserves | $26.83 billion | About – $30 million |
Source: SBP weekly reserves data as reported by Business Recorder (22 October 2026). Official figures: sbp.org.pk.
Trend over recent weeks
| Week ended | SBP reserves | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 9 October 2026 | $21.47 billion | + $16 million |
| 16 October 2026 | $21.49 billion | + $19 million |
SBP reserves have edged up for two weeks in a row, though the gains are small.
Why reserves matter
Foreign exchange reserves pay for imports such as fuel and machinery and for repaying foreign debt. Higher reserves support the rupee and lower the risk of sudden import restrictions. Pakistan expects about $1.21 billion more from the IMF after its Executive Board approves the fourth review of the loan programme, which would add to reserves.
For other indicators, read about remittances to Pakistan, the KSE-100 weekly review and the latest World Bank Pakistan update.
Frequently asked questions
What are SBP reserves now?
$21.49 billion as of 16 October 2026.
What are Pakistan’s total liquid reserves?
$26.83 billion, including $5.34 billion held by commercial banks.
Featured image: AI-generated illustration, for representation only.
