Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves recorded a strong increase during the week ending May 15, 2026, driven mainly by a significant rise in holdings maintained by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).

According to the SBP’s weekly data released on Thursday, the country’s total liquid foreign exchange reserves climbed by $1.252 billion on a weekly basis to reach $22.589 billion, compared to $21.337 billion in the previous week.

Reserves held by the central bank increased by $1.214 billion, or 7.6 percent week-on-week, reaching $17.081 billion versus $15.867 billion a week earlier.

Meanwhile, net foreign reserves held by commercial banks also posted a modest increase of $38.2 million, taking their total holdings to $5.508 billion.

The latest rise comes amid continued monitoring of Pakistan’s external financing position and reserve stability.