TAHIR AMIN

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has received deposits of $2 billion from Saudi Arabia – a day before the International Monetary Fund’s Executive Board is scheduled to consider the $3 billion stand-by arrangement (SBA) for the country.

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar in a televised message on Tuesday said that the friendly country - Saudi Arabia had made a commitment in the recent past regarding giving additional $2 billion deposits to Pakistan. On Tuesday, Saudi Arabia placed those deposits with the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), which would boost the country’s foreign exchange reserves, he added.

“On Friday, our reserves had closed in at less than $10 billion, standing at roughly $9.67 billion so you can now imagine them close to $11.67 billion,” he said. “You can expect this $2 billion to reflect starting this Friday in the SBP reserves,” the minister added. The finance minister extended his gratitude towards KSA, particularly King Salman and Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman on behalf of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir as well as from the public. “We are grateful to them for having always stood by Pakistan like a true brother,” said the minister, adding that as per their announcement, KSA has physically submitted the deposit with the SBP.

The finance minister said the country will witness more positive developments in the days ahead and it will now move towards a growth trajectory.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also extended his deep gratitude to the leadership of the kingdom for depositing the funds with the SBP. The premier took to Twitter and stated, “On behalf of the people of Pakistan, I would like to extend my deep gratitude to the leadership and brotherly people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the US$2 billion deposit with the State Bank of Pakistan. I would like to especially thank my brother Saudi Crown Prince & Prime Minister His Royal Highness Mohammed bin Salman for ensuring this financial support to Pakistan. This deposit will strengthen Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves. It reflects the growing confidence of our brotherly countries and the international community in Pakistan’s economic turnaround. We remain committed to making all necessary efforts to improve Pakistan’s economy. I would also like to appreciate and thank Finance Minister Senator Ishaq Dar and COAS General Syed Asim Munir for the valuable efforts they have made in this regard.”