Pakistan's foreign exchange reserves reach $26.86 billion; SBP holds $21.47 billion, 3 months of imports

Pakistan's total liquid foreign exchange reserves rose to $26.863 billion in the week ended 9 October 2026, up $65.9 million on the week, according to State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) data reported by ProPakistani on Thursday.

The weekly numbers

The SBP's own holdings moved up from $21.454 billion a week earlier. Commercial banks, which hold dollars deposited by exporters, importers and account holders, supplied about three quarters of the week's rise. The SBP did not give a reason for the change.

At the current pace of imports, the reserves cover about 3.04 months of imports, a level usually read as comfortable for a country of Pakistan's size, and well above the few weeks of cover the country was down to in early 2023.

How we got here

The SBP's reserves jumped by just over $3 billion in a single week in mid-September and passed $21.39 billion, a level the central bank had targeted for June 2027: our earlier report, SBP reserves pass a target set for June 2027. Since then they have held steady around $21.4 to $21.5 billion, with small weekly gains.

What it means for you

• The rupee: steady reserves give the SBP room to keep the exchange rate calm. The interbank dollar was about Rs 276.92 on 15 October, little changed from a day earlier; see the daily reading on our dollar rate page and convert any amount with the currency converter.
• Importers and travellers: a stable rupee keeps the cost of imported phones, cars and fuel from jumping. Petrol and diesel follow world oil prices more than reserves, but a weak rupee would add to any rise.
• Remittances: families in Lahore, Karachi or Peshawar receiving money from the Gulf or the UK get a steadier rupee amount from month to month.

The SBP publishes reserves every Thursday for the week ending the previous Friday. The next figures, for the week to 16 October, are due on Thursday 22 October.