Pakistan received USD 60.39 billion in external economic assistance over the past five years, with multilateral lenders providing the largest share, according to data presented to the Senate. The Economic Affairs Division disclosed the figures in a written response to a question by Senator Muhammad Talha Mahmood.
Who gives Pakistan the most foreign aid?
The Asian Development Bank was Pakistan's single largest source of external financing over the five-year period, disbursing USD 9.47 billion. The World Bank's International Development Association was second at USD 8.69 billion. Among bilateral donors, Saudi Arabia led with USD 3.50 billion, followed by China at USD 795.89 million.
How much of Pakistan's foreign aid was loans versus grants?
Of the USD 60.39 billion received, USD 59.24 billion came as loans and only USD 1.15 billion as grants. The total value of approved loans and grants during the period was higher, at USD 85.61 billion, of which USD 81.39 billion were loans and USD 4.22 billion were grants. The gap between approvals and disbursements reflects the multi-year nature of many financing arrangements.
Other multilateral contributors included bond holders at USD 5.27 billion and the Islamic Development Bank Group at USD 3.81 billion. The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development provided USD 2.45 billion. France contributed USD 333.56 million, the United States USD 296.13 million, and Japan USD 177.23 million.
What was Pakistan's foreign aid used for?
The overwhelming majority of inflows went toward macroeconomic stabilization rather than development projects. Non-project aid totaled USD 46.45 billion, with USD 43.10 billion of that directed at balance of payments and cash support. Project-specific assistance stood at USD 13.81 billion, a comparatively smaller share of total disbursements.
How have Pakistan's foreign aid disbursements changed year by year?
Disbursements peaked in FY 2020-21 at USD 12.90 billion, driven largely by commercial bank financing from Chinese institutions. Flows declined in subsequent years before partially recovering. USD 7.74 billion was recorded in FY 2024-25, with USD 4.45 billion disbursed in the first ten months of the current fiscal year.
The Economic Affairs Division noted that it records disbursements against signed loans and grants but does not track how funds from individual projects and programs are ultimately utilized.
Comments
See what people are discussing