KARACHI:
The State Financial institution of Pakistan (SBP) transferred a document Rs2.7 trillion to the federal authorities as a dividend payout for fiscal yr 2024-25 (FY25), regardless of recording a 27% decline in its personal annual revenue.
In line with an evaluation of central financial institution information, the SBP’s revenue for FY25 stood at Rs2.5 trillion. This lower is primarily attributed to a latest decline within the benchmark rate of interest, which has compressed the financial institution’s earnings from its financial operations.
The dividend payout to the federal coffers surged dramatically. The switch of Rs2.7 trillion marks an enormous enhance of two.8 instances, or 180%, in comparison with the earlier fiscal yr.
Furthermore, the SBP’s overseas alternate reserves recorded a slight enhance of $18 million throughout the week ended August 22, 2025, pushing the financial institution’s reserves to $14.274 billion. In line with the information launched by the SBP, the nation’s complete liquid overseas reserves stood at $19.618 billion. Of those, the reserves held by industrial banks amounted to $5.343 billion. “Import cowl is estimated to be at 2.7 months after the aforementioned change,” famous AKD Securities.
Earlier, the SBP carried out web overseas alternate interventions amounting to $7.8 billion between June 2024 and Could 2025.
Furthermore, the Pakistani rupee inched up barely on Thursday, appreciating by 0.01% in opposition to the US greenback within the inter-bank market. By the day’s shut, the rupee stood at 281.80, marking an enchancment of three paisa in comparison with the earlier session. This additionally prolonged the native forex’s successful streak to fifteen consecutive classes. On Wednesday, the rupee had closed at 281.83 in opposition to the buck.
Moreover, the SBP-held gold reserves surged to $6.8 billion in FY25, reflecting a strong 41% year-on-year (YoY) spike, based on the SBP and AKD Analysis information.
The numerous rise was primarily attributed to a pointy rally in world gold costs, whereas the central financial institution additionally added 1,925 ounces to its holdings throughout the yr.
Over the past 5 years, the SBP’s gold reserves have proven constant development, rising from $3.67 billion in FY20 to $6.84 billion in FY25, greater than doubling in worth. The pattern highlights Pakistan’s growing reliance on gold as a safe-haven asset to strengthen its general reserves place. In the meantime, gold costs in Pakistan continued their upward pattern on Thursday, monitoring worldwide beneficial properties, as the worldwide bullion market hit a five-week excessive. The rise was fueled by a softer US greenback and safe-haven demand amid considerations over the Federal Reserve’s independence.
In line with the All Pakistan Sarafa Gems and Jewellers Affiliation, the worth of gold per tola elevated by Rs900, reaching Rs362,600, whereas 10-gram gold was bought for Rs310,871 after rising Rs772.
Within the worldwide market, gold traded between $3,384 and $3,413 an oz, with costs later hovering round $3,406. Interactive Commodities Director Adnan Agar famous that gold has progressively risen by round $100 previously 10 days, climbing from the $3,300 stage. “Gold has been shifting in a single route for about three months inside a $100-150 vary,” Agar stated. “Sustainability of this rise will depend on future developments. If US rates of interest are lowered, it will likely be beneficial for gold. For now, the market is awaiting clear alerts.”
