Pakistan, facing persistent pressure on its external finances, is expected to receive around USD 5 billion in financial assistance from Saudi Arabia and Qatar, according to media reports. The inflows are seen as a crucial support measure for the country’s fragile foreign exchange position.
The timing is significant, as Islamabad is preparing to repay USD 3.5 billion to the United Arab Emirates later this month while continuing to manage strained foreign reserves, Dawn reported, citing sources in the finance ministry.
The expected funding comes as Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb travels to Washington to attend the IMF–World Bank Spring Meetings. During his visit from April 13 to 18, he is scheduled to meet senior officials from both institutions to strengthen Pakistan’s ongoing economic engagement.
Officials view these discussions as part of a broader diplomatic and financial outreach effort, with shifting dynamics in external support arrangements. Traditional expectations around strict programme conditions and reliance on third-party guarantees appear to be evolving, according to the report.
The International Monetary Fund has reportedly asked Pakistan’s key bilateral partners—Saudi Arabia, China, and the UAE—to maintain their deposits until the completion of the current three-year assistance programme. In this context, reports suggest Qatar may play a larger role, potentially replacing the UAE in some arrangements.
Ahead of his US visit, Aurangzeb met Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Jadaan in Islamabad, who also held discussions with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, signaling continued Saudi backing during Pakistan’s financial adjustments.
Saudi Arabia remains one of Pakistan’s key sources of concessional funding and has already rolled over USD 5 billion in deposits.
Meanwhile, Pakistan has confirmed plans to repay USD 3.5 billion to the UAE by the end of April, a liability that had been extended since 2018.
