Pakistan aims to secure $4.9 billion in external commercial financing for FY2025- 26. This includes $2.64 billion in short-term loans at interest rates of 7–8% without stringent conditions and $2.27 billion in long-term borrowing from commercial banks.
The government is currently in negotiations with four international banks for funding. These banks include the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), which is expected to provide $1.1 billion, and three others: Standard Chartered Bank and Dubai Islamic Bank, both offering $500 million each. Additionally, a $500 million loan is backed by a guarantee from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
The financing aligns with Pakistan’s external financing target of $23.4 billion for the fiscal year FY2024 – 25, which includes $13 billion in rollovers from allies such as China and Saudi Arabia.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has set a target for Pakistan to increase its foreign exchange reserves to $13.9 billion by June 2025. This amount would be sufficient to cover three months’ worth of imports. The State Bank of Pakistan’s reserves currently stand at $10.6 billion. However, they are projected to reach $14 billion with the support of new loans and remittances.
Read: Pakistan Targets 4.4% GDP Growth in 2025-26 Budget, IMF Pushes Fiscal Reforms
The IMF’s assistance of $2.4 billion, scheduled for May 2025, includes $1 billion under the Extended Fund Facility, highlighting the importance of timely multilateral aid.
Pakistan’s financing plan is being implemented in the context of economic challenges. The IMF has revised the GDP growth forecast to 2.6% due to trade uncertainties and high debt levels. Meanwhile, the ADB projects a growth rate of 2.5%, which is supported by the macroeconomic stability provided by the IMF’s Extended Fund Facility set for October 2024.
