Central govt debt surges by 7% YoY in August

The State Bank of Pakistan put total central government debt at Rs82.95 trillion for August 2026, up 7.09% from Rs77.46 trillion a year earlier. Compared with July 2026, when the figure stood at Rs83.38 trillion, the total slipped 0.52% during the month.

Domestic debt came to Rs58.76 trillion, up 8.66% year on year but down 0.87% from July. Within it, long-term debt reached Rs48.11 trillion after a 6.06% annual gain, while short-term borrowing jumped 22.08% to Rs10.56 trillion. Naya Pakistan Certificates contributed Rs88 billion, 33.74% more than a year earlier and 7.32% above the Rs82 billion recorded in July.

Pakistan Investment Bonds made up the largest share of long-term domestic debt at Rs34.32 trillion, slipping 0.67% year on year and 1.9% month on month. Market Treasury Bills, the main short-term instrument, rose 22.16% annually to Rs10.43 trillion but fell 2.45% from July. External debt comprised nearly Rs21.65 trillion in long-term loans and Rs2.55 trillion in short-term loans.