The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has revealed that the country will need a staggering $110billion in external financing over the next five years.
According to details, this urgent need came on the heels of Pakistan's successful management of $18.81billion in external financing for the current year.
The IMF's report has outlined that the ability to meet debt repayment obligations hinges on effective policy implementation and timely external funding.
Notably, the assurances had been secured for the rollover of $16.8 billion in loans this year from countries such as China and Saudi Arabia, along with additional funding of $2.5billion from the Asian Development Bank and the Islamic Development Bank.
Looking ahead, Pakistan is expected to roll over $6.6billion in loans owed to international commercial banks over the next three years, with an estimated $14billion likely to come from global financial institutions by 2028.
The World Bank is set to provide $7.1billion, while the ADB will contribute $5.6 billion, with short-term commercial loans anticipated during the 2025-26 period.
By mid-2027, Pakistan plans to gradually access the international bond market, projecting that its foreign exchange reserves will reach $22.5billion by 2028.
However, the IMF report has cautioned that these reserves will only cover approximately 3.1 months of imports, highlighting the precarious nature of the country’s financial situation.
Despite the commitments from various international lenders, the report warns of high risks, emphasizing that continuous reforms and adherence to the IMF programme are essential to ensure external financing.
Moreover, achieving economic stability will require political consensus among the country's leadership.
