Pakistan Borrows Rs1.25 Trillion in Six Months as External Financing Surges
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan secured Rs1,254 billion in external loans during the first six months of the current fiscal year, reflecting a sharp increase in foreign financing compared to the same period last year, according to official documents.
The data shows a 29 percent rise in external borrowing — an increase of Rs280 billion — compared to the corresponding period of the previous year. In addition to loans, Pakistan also received Rs1.767 billion in grants between July and December.
According to the documents, total external financial inflows during the July–December period amounted to Rs1,272 billion. In dollar terms, Pakistan received $4.5 billion over six months — $904 million more than in the same period of the previous fiscal year.
By comparison, Pakistan had received $3.6 billion in the first half of the last fiscal year. The figures exclude financing received from the International Monetary Fund, which is accounted for separately.
The breakdown of financing shows Rs785 billion in non-project assistance and Rs487 billion in project-based aid during the six-month period. Of this, Rs458.72 billion was obtained specifically for budget support.
The documents further reveal that Saudi Arabia provided Pakistan with an oil financing facility worth Rs170 billion, while the Islamic Development Bank extended loans totaling Rs137 billion. Project-based assistance during the period amounted to Rs487 billion.
The government has set a target of raising Rs4,507 billion in external borrowing over the course of the current fiscal year.
