Business

Pakistan to meet ‘external debt servicing obligations’

Published

2 years ago

Farwa

Pasha says govt in talks with Saudi Arabia and China for loans.
“We will ensure our foreign debt requirements are met,” she says.
Pakistan faces uphill task as it has to pay $8.3bn in next 3 months.

Minister of State for Finance and Revenue Dr Aisha Ghaus Pasha stressed Thursday that Pakistan would not default on its international obligations and the government would ensure timely external debt payments.

The minister’s comments came as — despite assurances from the government about the country’s finances — the situation remains gloomy and experts warn of an economic crunch ahead.

In conversation with journalists in Islamabad, the state minister added that there is “no chance” of Pakistan’s default as authorities were in talks with Saudi Arabia for a $3 billion loan and the same amount from $3 billion.

“We will also ensure that our foreign debt requirements are met,” the minister said, as Pakistan faces an uphill task of repaying the loans amid depleting forex reserves.

Minister of State for Finance and Revenue Dr Aisha Ghaus Pasha speaks in this undated photo. — Twitter/@aishagpasha

The foreign exchange reserves held by the State Bank of Pakistan (SCP) stood at $6.11 billion on December 22, 2022, against $10.8 billion in April 2022 when the coalition government regime took over the reins of power after ousting Imran Khan through the vote of no-confidence.

Amid a crisis-like situation, Pakistan will have to repay approximately $8.3 billion in the shape of external debt servicing over the next three months (Jan-March) of the current fiscal year.

The government is eyeing to pass the ninth review of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to secure a $1.7 billion bailout package, but both sides have made no substantial headway in recent days.

In this regard, the minister said the money lender’s annual holidays were underway, but the Pakistani authorities were in contact with them over the Extended Fund Facility (EFF).

Pasha also said Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Ishaq Dar would meet the Fund’s officials at the international donor’s conference in Geneva on January 9.

The country aims to gather funds from global donors as cataclysmic floods had battered the nation and caused damages worth $30 billion despite Pakistan being one of the lowest carbon emitters.

“Maybe our friendly countries are waiting for the donors’ conference so they can help us [and provide loans],” Minister Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal told Geo News’ Shahzeb Khanzada earlier this month.

In his address to investors at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Wednesday, FinMin Dar said that the country will not default but did admit that the economy was in a “tight position”.

“It’s been three months since I took charge and we listen every day that there is going to be a default. How will there be a default? There is no chance that Pakistan will default,” the finance minister assured the investors.

Dar assured that Pakistan would survive and is managing itself but conceded that the economy was in a “tight position”.

He added that the country does not have the $24 billion reserves that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) left in 2016 but that was not his fault.

“The fault is in the system and we must ensure Pakistan goes forward,” said the finance minister.

Business

The amount of trade between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan hits $700 million.

Published

10 hours ago

Farwa

Through the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), Pakistan’s trade connections with Saudi Arabia have grown significantly, with bilateral trade volume rising from $546 million to $700 million and exports to the Kingdom growing by 22%.

As bilateral economic cooperation continues to grow, Saudi investors have shown a strong interest in Pakistan’s construction, energy, agricultural, and information technology sectors. The objective for exporting IT services between the two countries has been raised from $50 million to $100 million.

Saudi Arabia has set up a help desk dedicated to making it easier for Pakistani IT companies to register in the Kingdom in order to expedite commercial procedures. The goal of this program is to speed up economic collaborations between the two countries and lower administrative barriers.

The well-known Saudi restaurant chain AlBaik has revealed plans to open locations in Pakistan, which is a big step for the food service industry and should lead to the creation of new job possibilities in the area.

Officials have noted that stronger business links between the two countries lead to greater economic stability, and the SIFC has played a crucial role in promoting these trade advancements. For bilateral trade and investment projects, the Council remains a crucial facilitator.

According to a trade official with knowledge of the developments, “the establishment of dedicated support mechanisms, such as the help desk for IT companies, demonstrates a commitment to long-term economic partnership,” The goal of these programs is to improve the conditions for commercial collaboration between the two nations.

The increasing amount of trade and the diversity of investment sectors show that Saudi Arabia and Pakistan’s economic ties are changing as both countries seek to deepen their business alliances in a number of industries.

Business

After more than 50 years, Bangladesh and Pakistan resume direct trade.

Published

10 hours ago

Farwa

After more than 50 years, the two governments will resume direct bilateral trade, with Bangladesh’s food ministry announcing Sunday that it will receive a supply of 25,000 tonnes of rice from Pakistan next month.

After former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was overthrown last August, relations between Bangladesh and Pakistan have begun to improve after decades of tense relations.

Since then, there have been increased bilateral interactions between Bangladesh and Pakistan. Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, the interim government’s senior adviser, has met twice with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

According to the food ministry, Dhaka completed an agreement earlier this month to import grains from Pakistan.

“On March 3, the first shipment of 25,000 tonnes will reach Bangladesh,” Zia Uddin Ahmed, a ministry assistant secretary, told Arab News.

“This is the first time that Bangladesh has started importing rice from Pakistan at the government-to-government level since 1971.”

Following direct maritime contact between the two South Asian countries in November—a Pakistani cargo ship stopped in Bangladesh for the first time since 1971 with imports and exports arranged by private companies—their trade relations grew.

Resuming trade with Pakistan is a significant step for Bangladesh, according to Amena Mohsin, a lecturer at North South University and a specialist in international relations.

“We want to see progress in our bilateral relationship with Pakistan. Most significantly, we are currently going through a low point dispute with India, even though we constantly diversify our partnerships.

This most recent move to purchase rice from Pakistan is really significant in this context,” she told Arab News.

Business

The total amount of Pakistan’s liquid foreign reserves is $15.95 billion.

Published

3 days ago

Farwa

As of February 14, Pakistan’s total liquid foreign reserves were $15,947.9 million, with the State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) holdings being $11,201.5 million.

Official figures for the week ending February 14, 2025, show that the central bank’s liquid foreign exchange reserves rose by $35 million to $11,201.5 million.

Commercial banks maintained net foreign reserves of $4,746.4 million during the period under review, according to the breakdown of foreign reserves.

The nation’s total liquid foreign reserves as of the week ending February 07, 2025, were $15,862.6 million.

Of these, the central bank held $11,166.6 million in foreign reserves, while commercial banks kept $4,696 million in net reserves.