Pakistan's finance minister confirmed late on Tuesday that Saudi Arabia has agreed to provide $3 billion in financial assistance to Islamabad to avert stress on its weak foreign reserves amid debt repayment obligations to the United Arab Emirates.
Muhammad Aurangzeb, who is in Washington to hold staff level talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), told reporters that Riyadh will provide the promised amount next week, Pakistani broadcaster Geo News reported on Wednesday.
"We have held a detailed meeting with the Saudi finance minister today. He has clearly told (me) that $3 billion will be provided (to Pakistan) as additional deposits," Aurangzeb was quoted as saying.
The development comes as Pakistan is set to repay a $3.5 billion debt to the UAE by the end of the month.
Anadolu last week reported that Saudi Arabia and Qatar will provide Pakistan $5 billion in financial assistance, enabling Islamabad to avert stress on the country's weak foreign reserves while making external payments by June.
Riyadh has assured Islamabad of its financial support amid mounting external pressures and rising costs linked to ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
Last week, Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Jadaan visited Islamabad and met with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to discuss the financial assistance.
Meanwhile, Sharif will depart for an official visit to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, his office said, as Islamabad continues feverish rounds of diplomacy aimed at facilitating US-Iran peace talks.
"Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif will depart from Islamabad for Jeddah today on an official visit to Saudi Arabia, accompanied by a high-level delegation," said a statement from his office.
Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves remain under pressure due to rising import costs, and officials warn that without fresh inflows, reserves could decline further in the coming weeks. The government is also engaging with international partners ahead of key financial meetings in Washington.
Pakistan will repay $3.5 billion in debt to the UAE by the end of April following a request from Abu Dhabi for immediate settlement, said a senior official.
Pakistan's liquid foreign exchange reserves total approximately $21.89 billion. The State Bank of Pakistan holds $16.4 billion, while commercial banks hold approximately $5.49 billion.
According to Aurangzeb, Pakistan made $1.4 billion in external payments last week.
