Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has welcomed Pakistan’s record foreign exchange reserves, after the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) reserves reached $21.39 billion as of September 11, 2026.
According to the SBP, Pakistan’s total liquid foreign exchange reserves stood at $26.79 billion, comprising $21.39 billion held by the central bank and $5.40 billion held by commercial banks.
The prime minister described the increase in SBP reserves as an important milestone for Pakistan’s economic stability and congratulated the country’s economic team and overseas Pakistanis for their contributions.
Shehbaz Sharif attributed the improvement in foreign exchange reserves to stronger remittances and services exports, an improved current account position and fiscal discipline. He also highlighted Pakistan’s return to international capital markets as a sign of renewed confidence in the country’s economy.
The rise in reserves is expected to strengthen Pakistan’s ability to meet external payment obligations and provide a larger buffer against global economic pressures.
The SBP data shows that its reserves increased substantially during the week ended September 11, taking the central bank’s holdings to their highest recorded level. The increase followed the receipt of proceeds from Pakistan’s international bond issuance.
Prime Minister Shehbaz also congratulated Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, the SBP governor, the government’s economic team and overseas Pakistanis on the development, saying stronger reserves could support investment, external confidence and sustainable economic growth.
