KARACHI: The domestic debt of the central government has increased by Rs3 trillion during the first 8 months of the current financial year, reported the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Wednesday.

The central bank data showed the stock of government debt rose to Rs34.071 trillion in February compared to Rs31.037tr in June 2022, an increase of 9.7 per cent.

The central government’s domestic borrowings incre­ased by 23pc to Rs34.07tr in Febru­ary from Rs27.7tr in the same month last year.

The SBP data showed the central government’s public debt (including external debt) increased by 13.7pc to Rs54.353tr during the first 8 months of 2022-23.

The external debt in rupee terms rose 21pc to Rs20.281tr by the end of February. The stock external debt at the end of June 2022 was Rs16.74tr. However, the external debt was calculated at the exchange rate of Rs261.6 per dollar. The current dollar rate is over Rs287, which is a record.

The government’s domestic borrowings were dominated by long-term Pakis­tan Investment Bonds posting a 20pc rise to Rs21.151tr by end of February from Rs17.687tr in June 2022.

However, short-term borrowing through treasury bills slightly declined to Rs6.294tr in July-February from Rs6.752tr in June 2022.

Published in Dawn, April 6th, 2023

Follow Dawn Business on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook for insights on business, finance and tech from Pakistan and across the world.

Opinion

Editorial

Military option
Updated 21 Nov, 2024

Military option

While restoring peace is essential, addressing Balochistan’s socioeconomic deprivation is equally important.
HIV/AIDS disaster
21 Nov, 2024

HIV/AIDS disaster

A TORTUROUS sense of déjà vu is attached to the latest health fiasco at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital. The largest...
Dubious pardon
21 Nov, 2024

Dubious pardon

IT is disturbing how a crime as grave as custodial death has culminated in an out-of-court ‘settlement’. The...
Islamabad protest
Updated 20 Nov, 2024

Islamabad protest

As Nov 24 draws nearer, both the PTI and the Islamabad administration must remain wary and keep within the limits of reason and the law.
PIA uncertainty
20 Nov, 2024

PIA uncertainty

THE failed attempt to privatise the national flag carrier late last month has led to a fierce debate around the...
T20 disappointment
20 Nov, 2024

T20 disappointment

AFTER experiencing the historic high of the One-day International series triumph against Australia, Pakistan came...