Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves jumped to a two-month import cover after receiving the first installment from the International Monetary Fund’s $7 billion Extended Fund Facility, State Bank Governor Jameel Ahmed said on Wednesday, giving the fiscally-challenged country’s external position a much-needed boost for now. 

The central bank received the first tranche of $1.03 billion (SDR 760 million) on Monday, September 30, 2024.

Pakistan had been working on implementing conditions deemed “strict” to complete the loan programme agreed to in July, which Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif time and again hoped would be Pakistan’s last.

The liquid reserves now stand at $10 billion, providing much-needed stability to the country’s foreign exchange position.

“The foreign exchange reserves have stabilised, and we expect further improvements,” Ahmed said speaking at a banking conference.

The central bank chief highlighted that the recent IMF disbursement has eased pressure on the rupee, ensuring a smooth supply of dollars in the market.

“[Overseas workers’] remittances have increased, and the supply of dollars has improved,” said Ahmed, noting that a decline in inflation has positively impacted monetary policy.

The governor expressed satisfaction over the government’s fiscal situation, which he said had also improved.

“The rate of borrowing from banks has decreased,” he further stated.

Addressing concerns over a potential delay in repayments to commercial banks, Governor Jameel Ahmed dismissed the notion of a funding shortfall. “The government is not short of funds; we are making early repayments of bank loans,” he stated.

Ahmed also briefly outlined the central bank’s strategy to modernise Pakistan’s banking sector, underlining that promoting innovation in banking could spur economic growth.

“We aim to launch fully digital banking by 2025,” he said, noting that the initiative will enhance financial inclusion and accessibility for millions of Pakistanis.

The SBP governor further revealed plans to expand Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) financing, with a target to increase the current volume from Rs550 billion to Rs1.1 trillion over the next five years.

This will support small and medium-sized enterprises, key drivers of economic activity in the country.

As the popularity of digital banking continues to grow in Pakistan, Ahmed acknowledged the rising risks of online fraud.

“Banks have been warned to strengthen their cybersecurity measures,” he said, stressing the importance of safeguarding the growing number of users, which currently stands at 12 million for mobile banking and was increasing at an annual growth rate of 70%.

The central bank governor pointed out that branchless banking was already serving 59 million customers, while the use of mobile and internet banking continues to surge, with internet banking growing at 30% annually.

The governor also highlighted the phenomenal success of Raast, Pakistan’s digital payments platform, which has so far processed transactions worth Rs19 trillion since its launch in 2021.

“Daily transactions on Raast now exceed 2.5 million, and the system is being linked with Middle Eastern software to facilitate low-cost remittances for overseas Pakistanis,” Ahmad noted, adding, “This will make it easier and cheaper for expatriates to send money back home.”

Citing the SBP’s ongoing push towards a more modern, digital-driven banking environment, Governor Ahmed said that innovation was the future of banking and a key factor in Pakistan’s economic development.