In the first 28 months of the current period, federal government debt soared by Rs18,832 billion, with considerable increases in both domestic and external borrowing, documents of the State Bank of Pakistan stated.

The documents revealed that the overseas debt of the federal government climbed by Rs2,066 billion and its internal debt by Rs16,766 billion from March 2024 to June 2026. The surge means an average daily increase in debt of more than Rs22.40 billion.

The data showed that the federal government’s debt stood at Rs64,810 billion by February 2024, the last month of the caretaker government. The government’s total debt increased by Rs18,832 billion to Rs83,642 billion by June 2026 over the next 28 months.

According to the State Bank, the federal government’s internal debt stood at Rs42,675 billion in February 2024, which climbed to Rs59,441 billion by June 2026.

Similarly, the external debt of the federal government was Rs22,134 billion in February 2024, which increased to Rs24,201 billion in June 2026.

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) started the new business week on a high note with the benchmark index gaining 484.38 points in the session.

The current index was 0.27 percent higher than the previous close of 180,104.61 at 180,588.99.

The index hit an intraday high of 181,158.86 and a low of 180,393.34. Volume for the session was 113,603,577 shares.

Asian equities nudged up on Monday, boosted by Chinese stocks ahead of major economic data, with investors keeping a careful eye on oil prices following large gains last week amid a truce in the Gulf crisis.

The U.S. dollar dipped into two-month lows after a slew of underwhelming data, including an unexpected fall in retail sales, prompted markets to give up on bets for an impending rate hike from the Federal Reserve. The CME Group’s FedWatch program currently shows a 30% chance of a rate hike next month, down dramatically from over 50% a week ago.

MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific equities outside Japan (.MIAPJ0000PUS), opens new tab increased 0.5% while Japan’s Nikkei (.N225), opens new tab gained 0.3%.

The CSI300 index of Chinese blue-chips, opens new tab increased 0.8% and the Hang Seng index, opens new tab climbed 1.6% ahead of the release of China’s activity statistics for July later in the day.

Industrial output is forecast to fall to 4.8% from 5.3% before. But investors may be braced for a positive surprise as exports surged on strong global AI demand last month.

National Savings Center Faisalabad held the draw for Rs1500 prize bond on Monday, while the Multan office performed the lottery for Rs100 prize bond.

Rs1500 Prize Bond Draw No. 107 on 17 August 2026. Bond number 177110 grabbed the first reward of Rs3 million.

Three second prize winners each winning Rs1 million were bond numbers 804336, 985779 and 987416.

Meanwhile, Rs100 prize bond Draw No. 55 was held in Multan. Bond number 732900 bagged the first reward of Rs700,000.

The three second prizes of Rs200,000 each went to bond numbers 252196, 427125 and 875106.