Islamabad: Pakistan’s public debt has recorded a sharp rise during the first two years of the current government, according to official data. The increase highlights growing fiscal pressure on the economy. The figures were released by the State Bank of Pakistan.
According to the State Bank, federal government debt increased by Rs15,072 billion between March 2024 and February 2026. The data shows that borrowing rose at an average rate of around Rs21 billion per day during this period.
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The breakdown shows that domestic debt rose by Rs14,004 billion, while external debt increased by Rs1,068 billion. As a result, total federal debt reached Rs79,882 billion by February 2026.
In comparison, total federal debt stood at Rs64,810 billion in February 2024, during the final month of the caretaker setup. The figures indicate a significant rise over the two-year period.
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Economists say rising debt levels reflect persistent fiscal challenges and increased reliance on borrowing. The trend underscores the need for stronger revenue generation and expenditure management to stabilize public finances.