Saudi Arabia and Qatar have pledged around $5 billion in financial support to Pakistan, offering a buffer to the country’s strained foreign exchange reserves as it faces mounting external payment obligations.

The expected inflows come as Islamabad prepares to repay about $3.5 billion in debt to the United Arab Emirates by the end of April, following a request from Abu Dhabi for early settlement.

The support from Gulf allies is aimed at easing pressure on Pakistan’s reserves, which stand at roughly $16.4 billion, amid rising import costs and heightened uncertainty linked to ongoing tensions in the Middle East.

Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Jadaan met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad late Friday to discuss economic cooperation and regional developments. The meeting was attended by senior officials, including Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Army Chief Asim Munir.

While no formal agreements were announced, officials said discussions on financial assistance — including expanding existing cash deposits and extending Saudi oil financing facilities — are ongoing between the two sides.

Pakistan has been seeking additional external financing to stabilize its balance of payments position as it heads into a period of heavy debt servicing and prepares for key engagements with international financial institutions in Washington.

Without fresh inflows, officials warn that foreign exchange reserves could come under further strain in the coming weeks, underscoring the urgency of securing support from bilateral partners.