Islamabad (TDI): State Bank of Pakistan confirmed that Saudi Arabia has transferred $2 billion to Pakistan, marking a fresh inflow aimed at supporting the country’s external financial position.
According to the central bank, the funds were received with a value date of 15 April 2026. The development comes during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Saudi Arabia, which is focused on strengthening bilateral ties and advancing regional peace efforts in the Middle East.
Officials also noted that Saudi Arabia has committed to an additional $3 billion in deposits for Pakistan and has extended its existing $5 billion support facility for another three years.
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said the earlier rollover arrangement for the $5 billion deposit has now been replaced with a longer-term extension, easing short-term refinancing pressure.
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At the same time, Pakistan is expected to repay a $3.5 billion loan to the United Arab Emirates this month, a move that could temporarily strain foreign exchange reserves and add pressure on external account stability. The repayment comes after Islamabad was unable to secure a rollover of the facility earlier this year.
As of late March, Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves were reported at around $16.4 billion, enough to cover roughly three months of imports. However, analysts caution that upcoming repayments and global energy price volatility could tighten the country’s external position.
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Despite these pressures, Pakistan’s broader financial outlook remains tied to ongoing reforms under its International Monetary Fund-supported program, with external financing seen as a key factor in maintaining stability.
