Islamabad, April 16, 2026 - In a major show of continued support, Saudi Arabia has deposited $2 billion into the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on April 15, 2026, as the first tranche of a $3 billion fresh pledge.
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb confirmed the inflow, stating that the remaining $1 billion is expected shortly. He also expressed hope that the existing $5 billion Saudi deposit will be extended until 2028, further strengthening Pakistan's external financial position.
This timely financial support comes at a critical moment as Pakistan prepares to repay $3.5 billion to the UAE this month. The Saudi deposit will significantly help maintain macroeconomic stability and support the government's target of raising foreign exchange reserves to $18 billion by June 2026 under the ongoing IMF program.
"Pakistan is deeply grateful to the Saudi leadership for their consistent and reliable support during these challenging times," said Finance Minister Aurangzeb. "This reflects the strong brotherly relations between the two countries."
The fresh injection is expected to improve investor confidence, ease pressure on the rupee, and provide much-needed breathing space for Pakistan's economy as it navigates debt repayments and structural reforms.
