The total debt of the central government went up by 12.71% YoY to Rs73.69 trillion in March 2025, compared to Rs65.38tr in March 2024, the data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) showed.
Moreover, on a sequential basis, the central government debt rose by 0.89% MoM compared to Rs73.04tr in February 2025.
The year-on-year increase in debt burden is primarily attributed to borrowing from domestic and foreign sources to cover the fiscal deficit.
As per details made available by SBP, the larger portion of the debt was domestic and stood at Rs51.52tr, comprising Rs43.59tr long-term debt, Rs7.86tr short-term debt and the remaining Rs62.67bn through Naya Pakistan Certificates.
The figures reported by the central bank for the domestic debt reflect an increase of 18.6% YoY and on a sequential basis a growth of 0.97%
By the end of March 2025, the government's long-term debt increased by 25.09% YoY to Rs43.59tr as compared to Rs34.85tr recorded in the same period a year ago, while increasing 2.05% ΜοΜ.
Conversely, the short-term debt fell by -7.44% YoY to Rs7.86tr in the review month.
