Govt Plans 10 Million Smart Meters Nationwide
April 21, 2026
Pakistan secures $1B Saudi inflow, easing short-term pressure as reserves face strain from debt repayments and rising external financing risks.
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) confirmed on Tuesday that it has received $1 billion from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, marking the second tranche of a previously agreed $3 billion deposit arrangement. The funds, transferred by the Saudi Ministry of Finance, carry a value date of April 20, 2026.
This follows the earlier disbursement of $2 billion last week, completing the initial commitment under the arrangement. The inflow comes amid renewed financial cooperation between the two countries, including Saudi Arabia’s pledge of an additional $3 billion in deposits and the extension of a $5 billion facility for three years.
The development arrives at a critical time for Pakistan, which faces mounting external financing pressures, including a scheduled $3.5 billion repayment to the United Arab Emirates later this month.
As of March 27, Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves stood at $16.4 billion, covering nearly three months of imports. However, rising global oil prices and regional instability continue to strain the country’s external account.
Analysts caution that despite ongoing IMF-backed stabilisation efforts, external financing risks remain a significant concern.
