PM Shehbaz hails record $21.4b foreign exchange reserves

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed a record in Pakistan's foreign exchange reserves, calling it another milestone on the road to economic stability, according to The Express Tribune's report of a Prime Minister's Office statement. Total liquid reserves stood at $26.8 billion as of September 11, 2026, the highest level since September 10, 2021, with the State Bank of Pakistan holding a record $21.4 billion and commercial banks $5.4 billion.

The premier credited better remittances, stronger services exports, an improved current account and fiscal discipline for the gain, and linked Pakistan's renewed access to international capital markets with returning global trust. He said the higher reserves would boost the nation's ability to settle external obligations and withstand global economic pressures.

Arif Habib Limited (AHL) calculated that import cover rose to 3.03 months, marking the first time since August 2020 that it cleared three months, using a three-month average of imports. The SBP's reserves climbed by $3.061 billion in the week to September 11, 2026, the biggest weekly gain since June 27, 2025, which the central bank linked to Eurobond receipts. The rupee finished at 277.26 per dollar, firmer by Rs0.01 than its Wednesday level of 277.27.