SBP reserves edge up to $16.1b

Pakistan's foreign exchange reserves held by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) rose by $13 million during the week ended January 23, 2026, reaching $16.101 billion, according to official data released on Wednesday. The country's total liquid foreign reserves, including commercial banks' net reserves of $5.192 billion, stood at $21.293 billion. Analysts noted that SBP reserves now provide around 2.5 months of import cover, offering some short-term support to the external sector. Meanwhile, the Pakistani rupee gained Rs0.01 against the US dollar on Thursday, closing at 279.80 in the inter-bank market. Gold prices in Pakistan surged to a fresh record high on Thursday, reflecting heightened volatility in global markets.