Foreign reserves edge up to $22.5b

According to The Express Tribune, the State Bank of Pakistan's latest weekly data, released on Thursday, showed total liquid foreign exchange reserves edging up to $22.5 billion for the week ended August 13, 2026. Central bank holdings grew by $25 million to $17.1 billion, while net reserves held by commercial banks fell about $17 million to $5.4 billion. Overall liquid reserves gained roughly $7.8 million over the previous week, and cover stands at around 2.55 months of imports.

The rupee ended trading at 277.57 per dollar, adding Rs0.03 after Wednesday's close of 277.60, while the greenback slid globally to levels near three-month lows. Domestic gold prices rose sharply, with the tola rate climbing Rs13,700 to Rs471,936 according to the All-Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Sarafa Association. While the ten-gram rate stood at Rs404,609, up Rs11,746.

Internationally, spot gold fell 0.3% to $4,509.91 an ounce by 12:15 pm EDT, according to Reuters, after easing from its highest level since 2 June. Oil prices climbed to a three-week high, and the US Federal Reserve's July meeting minutes flagged rising inflation worries. Silver rose Rs369 to Rs7,169 per tola in the local market.