Pakistan’s economy is at risk of collapse as the country is facing a severe foreign currency shortage and rolling blackouts, leaving businesses struggling to operate. The State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) foreign exchange reserves fell to a record low of $3.7 billion as the country grapples with a severe economic crunch, striving to revive the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) bailout programme to avoid a looming debt default. In a statement, the SBP said as of January 20, its reserves fell to $3,678.4 million due to external debt repayments, which will now provide an import cover of less than a month – 0.73 month to be exact. The net foreign reserves held by commercial banks have also fallen to $5,774.8 million, bringing the total liquid foreign reserves to $9,453.2 million, the central bank’s statement mentioned. Inflows have virtually come to a grinding halt despite assurances from friendly nations, as the lenders seem reluctant to release funds before Pakistan completes the IMF’s stalled programme. As the coalition government desperately seeks to revive the ninth Extended Fund Facility review, it had requested the Fund to send a delegation for a visit. SBP Governor Jameel Ahmad had last Wednesday said that the country expects inflows from “next week”, however, no physical funds have been received so far – except for a $2 billion rollover by the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development. Financial pundits have stressed the government to complete the IMF programme to pave the way for further inflows as they warn that a delay in reviving the Fund’s programme could be catastrophic for the economically distressed nation. British publication Financial Times has also warned that Pakistan’s economy is at risk of collapse with the government’s “failure to revive” the IMF deal. According to the report, rolling blackouts and a severe foreign currency shortage are making it difficult for businesses to continue operations. “Already a lot of industries have closed down, and if those industries don’t restart soon, some of the losses will be permanent,” founder of Macro Economic Insights Sakib Sherani said.