KARACHI – Amid the ongoing political chaos in Pakistan, foreign exchange reserves held by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) have plunged to 10.45 percent, an alarming level and a four-year low.
According to the data released by the central bank, SBP's foreign currency reserves were recorded at $6,714.9 million on December 2, down by $784 million compared to $7,825.7 on November 25.
Pakistan foreign exchange reserves have fallen below $7 billion for the first time since January 2019.
The current reserves stand at around $6.7 billion — almost equal to $6.6 billion on January 18, 2019.
Overall liquid foreign currency reserves held by the country — including net reserves held by banks other than the SBP — stood at $12,581.7 million.
Net reserves held by banks amounted to $5,866.8 million. The central bank attributed the decline to the payment of $1,000 million against maturing Pakistan International Sukuk and some other external debt repayments.
The SBP mentioned that some of the debt repayments were offset by inflows, mainly $500 million received from Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).
With the current foreign exchange reserves position, Pakistan has an import cover of less than one month.
The $6.7 billion reserves are not enough to service the $8.8 billion principal and interest payments during the January-March period of the current fiscal year.
Pakistani rupee saw slight gains against US dollar in the open market on March 19, 2024, Tuesday.
In the open market, the US dollar was being quoted at 278.6 for buying and 281.45 for selling.
Euro remains unchanged at 303 for buying and 306 for selling while British Pound hovers around 356 for buying, and 359 for selling.
UAE Dirham AED saw slight changes and new rate stands at 75.7 whereas the Saudi Riyal new rates was 73.95.
Currency | Symbol | Buying | Selling |
---|---|---|---|
US Dollar | USD | 278.6 | 281.45 |
Euro | EUR | 303 | 306 |
UK Pound Sterling | GBP | 356 | 359 |
U.A.E Dirham | AED | 75.7 | 76.45 |
Saudi Riyal | SAR | 73.95 | 74.4 |
Australian Dollar | AUD | 182.7 | 184.5 |
Bahrain Dinar | BHD | 741.22 | 749.22 |
Canadian Dollar | CAD | 204 | 206.2 |
China Yuan | CNY | 38.73 | 39.13 |
Danish Krone | DKK | 40.69 | 41.09 |
Hong Kong Dollar | HKD | 35.63 | 35.98 |
Indian Rupee | INR | 3.36 | 3.47 |
Japanese Yen | JPY | 1.86 | 1.94 |
Kuwaiti Dinar | KWD | 903.77 | 912.77 |
Malaysian Ringgit | MYR | 59.25 | 59.85 |
New Zealand Dollar | NZD | 169.5 | 171.5 |
Norwegians Krone | NOK | 26.27 | 26.57 |
Omani Riyal | OMR | 723.7 | 731.7 |
Qatari Riyal | QAR | 76.57 | 77.27 |
Singapore Dollar | SGD | 206 | 208 |
Swedish Korona | SEK | 26.89 | 27.19 |
Swiss Franc | CHF | 315.26 | 317.76 |
Thai Bhat | THB | 7.76 | 7.91 |
Copyright ©2024. Reproduction of this website's content without express written permission from 'Daily Pakistan' is strictly prohibited.