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SBP-held foreign reserves fall 4.17% to $7.5bn

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  • SBP-held forex reserves drop to $7,498.7 million.
  • Overall forex reserves stand at $13,378.2 million.
  • Reserves expected to register gains next week.

KARACHI: State Bank of Pakistan (SBP)-held foreign exchange reserves declined by 4.17% in line with the dominant trend for the last several weeks.

The foreign currency reserves held by the SBP were recorded at $7,498.7 million as of November 25, down $327 million compared with $7,825.7 on November 18, data released by SBP showed.

Overall liquid foreign currency reserves held by the country, including net reserves held by banks other than the SBP, stood at $13,378.2 million.

Net reserves held by banks amounted to $5,879.2 million. The central bank cited external debt repayment as the reason behind this decline.

With the current foreign exchange reserves position, Pakistan has an import cover of fewer than 1.6 months.

The reserves are expected to register gains next week as the Government of Pakistan received $500 million from Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).

The Ministry of Finance, in its tweet, had said that funds are deposited with SBP and “will augment Pakistan’s reserves”.

The development did not reflect in SBP’s data as the amount was received after the cut-off date. The assistance will reflect in the reserves next week.

However, Pakistan has to repay a $1.08 billion international bond, which matures on December 5.

This payment might put additional pressure on the already depleting foreign exchange reserves as SBP Governor Jameel Ahmad last week, in the post-monetary policy briefing, revealed that the payment will be made three days before its due date i.e. December 5.

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Business

Irfan Siddiqui meets with the PM and informs him about the Senate performance of the parliamentary party.

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The head of the Senate’s Foreign Affairs Standing Committee and the PML-N’s parliamentary leader paid Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif a visit in Islamabad.

Senator Irfan Siddiqui gave the Prime Minister an update on the Parliamentary Party’s Senate performance.

Additionally, Senator Irfan Siddiqui gave the Prime Minister an update on the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs’ performance.

He complimented the Prime Minister on his outstanding efforts to bring Pakistan’s economy back on track and meet its economic objectives.

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Business

SIFC Increases Direct Foreign Investment: Investment in the Energy Sector Rises by 120%

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The Special Investment Facilitation Council is intended to help Pakistan’s energy sector attract $585.6 million in direct foreign investment in 2024–2025. The amount invested at the same time previous year was $266.3 million.

This is a notable 120% rise, mostly due to investments in gas exploration, oil, and power. Such expansion indicates heightened investor confidence and emphasizes the development potential in important areas.

The State Bank reports that foreign investment in other vital industries has increased by 48% to $771 million.

This advancement is a blatant testament to SIFC’s efficient investment procedure and quick project execution.

The purpose of the Special Investment Facilitation Council is to establish Pakistan as an investment hub by aggressively promoting regional trade and investment in the energy sector and other critical industries.

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Business

Discos report losses of Rs239 billion.

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When compared to the same period last year, the data indicates that discos have decreased their losses in the first quarter of the current fiscal year.

The distribution businesses recorded losses of Rs239 billion in the first three months of the current fiscal year, a substantial decrease from the Rs308 billion losses sustained during the same period the previous year.

Additionally, the distribution businesses’ rate of recovery has improved. It has increased to 91% in the first quarter of this year from 84% in the same period last year, indicating success in revenue collection.

Regarding circular debt, the Power division observed a notable change. Last year, between July and October, the circular debt grew by Rs301 billion. Nonetheless, this year’s first four months saw a relatively modest increase in circular debt, totaling about Rs11 billion.

These enhancements show promising developments in the electricity sector’s financial health in Pakistan, where initiatives are being made to accelerate recovery rates and slow the expansion of circular debt.

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