SBP governor says debt rollovers will ease Pakistan’s FY25 financial burden

State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Governor Jameel Ahmad assured the public on Wednesday that friendly nations will roll over nearly $16 billion of the country’s outstanding debt for the fiscal year 2025.

This crucial support is expected to provide the government with significant breathing room amid ongoing financial challenges.

In his testimony before the National Assembly Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue, chaired by MNA Naveed Qamar, Ahmad revealed that Pakistan’s total debt obligations for FY25 amount to $26.2 billion. Following the planned rollovers, the remaining debt to be settled by June next year will be reduced to $10 billion.

Ahmad also highlighted that the central bank has already repaid $1.5 billion in debt last month, leaving an outstanding amount of $8.5 billion for the rest of the fiscal year.

Secretary of Finance Imdad Ullah Bosal added that Pakistan is set to receive its first tranche from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) following the rollover of approximately $4 billion in Chinese commercial loans. Additionally, $4.4 billion is expected from the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank.

The SBP Governor further stated that there is no immediate pressure on external payments, which should contribute to the stability of the Pakistani rupee. He projected that foreign exchange reserves could reach $13 billion by the end of the fiscal year.

With improved economic conditions, further reductions in the policy rate are anticipated. However, he warned that inflation might rise to 13.5 per cent this fiscal year due to budgetary policies and energy price fluctuations.

In his presentation, Ahmad outlined a comprehensive five-year plan to the Finance Committee. The plan focuses on restoring price stability, managing the current account deficit, ensuring that foreign exchange reserves cover three months of import needs, and achieving greater financial stability and transparency.

He noted that GDP growth has been constrained to 3.5 per cent over the past decade and emphasised the need to boost exports by 10 to 15 per cent. Ahmad also assured that there are no restrictions on imports, aiming to foster a more balanced economic growth.