Karachi:
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) transferred a record of RS2.7 billion to the federal government as a dividend payment for fiscal year 2024-25 (FY25), despite registering a 27% decrease in their own annual profits.
According to an analysis of the Central Bank data, the Gain of the SBP for fiscal year 2000 stood at RS2.5 billion. This decrease is mainly attributed to a recent decrease in the reference interest rate, which has compressed the bank’s profits from its monetary operations.
The payment of dividends to federal coffers increased dramatically. The transfer of RS2.7 billion marks a mass increase of 2.8 times, or 180%, compared to the previous fiscal year.
In addition, the SBP currency reserves registered a slight increase of $ 18 million during the week that ended on August 22, 2025, which takes the bank reserves to $ 14,274 billion. According to the data published by the SBP, the total liquid foreigners reserves of the country were $ 19,618 billion. Of these, the reserves held by commercial banks amounted to $ 5,343 billion. “Import coverage is estimated at 2.7 months after the aforementioned change,” said AKD Securities.
Previously, the SBP carried out net currency interventions that amounted to $ 7.8 billion between June 2024 and May 2025.
In addition, the Pakistani rupe increased slightly on Thursday, appreciating 0.01% against the US dollar in the interbank market. For the closing of the day, the rupee stood at 281.80, marking an improvement of three paisa compared to the previous session. This also extended the winning streak of the local currency to 15 consecutive sessions. On Wednesday, La Rupia had closed to 281.83 against the backback.
In addition, SBP -controlled gold reserves increased to $ 6.8 billion in fiscal year 2015, reflecting a robust 41% year -on -year peak (interannual), according to SBP and AKD research data.
The significant increase was mainly attributed to a strong rally in world gold prices, while the Central Bank also added 1,925 ounces to its holdings during the year.
In the last five years, SBP gold reserves have shown constant growth, which increases from $ 3.67 billion in fiscal year 2010 to $ 6.84 billion in fiscal year 2015, rather than duplicating its value. The trend highlights the growing dependence of Pakistan of gold as a safe asset to strengthen its general reservations. Meanwhile, gold prices in Pakistan continued their upward trend on Thursday, tracking international profits, while the global bullion market reached a maximum of five weeks. The increase was driven by a softer US dollar and a safe demand amid concerns about the independence of the Federal Reserve.
According to the Association of Gems and Jewers of All Pakistan Sarafa, the price of gold per tola increased in RS900, reaching RS362.600, while 10 grams were sold per RS310,871 after the increase of RS772.
In the international market, Gold quoted between $ 3,384 and $ 3,413 per ounce, and prices then surrounded $ 3,406. The interactive director of the basic products, Adnan Agar, said that Gold has gradually increased by around $ 100 in the last 10 days, rising from the level of $ 3,300. “Gold has moved in one direction for approximately three months in a range of $ 100-150,” said Agar. “The sustainability of this increase depends on future developments. If the interest rates of the United States are reduced, it will be favorable for gold. For now, the market expects clear signals.”
