Second $1bn deposit received from Saudi Arabia: State Bank

Published
75
Prime Minister Imran Khan meets Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman. ─ APP/File
Prime Minister Imran Khan meets Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman. ─ APP/File

A State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) official on Friday confirmed that a second $1 billion bailout package from Saudi Arabia had been received by Pakistan.

SBP Spokesman Abid Qamar, confirming the development, said that the latest package had shored up the central bank's foreign reserves.

The SBP spokesman added that another Saudi financial package was expected to arrive in January 2019.

Riyadh had in October agreed to provide Pakistan $3bn in foreign currency support for a year to address its balance-of-payments crisis. Additionally, the Kingdom had also agreed to provide Islamabad a one-year deferred payment facility for import of oil, worth up to another $3bn.

The country had seen some relief after the first tranche of $1bn from Saudi Arabia was received on Nov 9 but the amount had recently run out.

According to figures shared by Prime Minister Imran Khan in October, the country's total foreign debt had surged to Rs30,000bn within the last decade, while circular debt had reached Rs1,200bn.

Follow Dawn Business on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook for insights on business, finance and tech from Pakistan and across the world.

Editorial

Blue wave
Updated 05 Nov, 2026

Blue wave

While Trump does not usually learn from his errors, perhaps seeing the response of the American voters he may attempt a wiser course.
New LPG policy
Updated 05 Nov, 2026

New LPG policy

If the policy is enforced effectively, it could potentially help end shortages and slash prices. But the question remains whether it will.
Polio’s other victims
05 Nov, 2026

Polio’s other victims

FOR decades, Pakistan has vowed to eradicate polio. Billions have been spent on logistics and awareness drives. Yet...
Electoral reform
Updated 04 Nov, 2026

Electoral reform

The real problem is the gulf between the statute book and what happens on polling day, not the laws.
Competing demands
04 Nov, 2026

Competing demands

THE climate crisis is becoming harder to confront as the world develops new ways to consume scarce resources. At an...
Belated meeting
Updated 04 Nov, 2026

Belated meeting

Whether it is Imran Khan, his family members, or other incarcerated political leaders and activists, the state should not deny them their rights.