Pakistan has formally asked the United States for a $10 billion exchange stabilisation facility, aiming to shore up its foreign exchange reserves and ease pressure on its fragile economy, according to a Reuters‑cited source familiar with the request. The appeal comes shortly after Islamabad played a diplomatic role in facilitating talks linked to the Iran war, a move that raised Pakistan’s profile in Washington and fuelled expectations of potential economic support.
The proposed package, reportedly discussed with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, would take the form of a Bilateral Exchange Stabilisation Support Facility with a maturity of up to five years. If approved, the facility could significantly strengthen Pakistan’s reserves, support the Pakistani rupee, and reduce reliance on multilateral lenders such as the IMF — a long‑standing challenge for Islamabad’s economic planners.
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has been pushing for broader international backing as the country struggles with high inflation, weak reserves, and persistent external financing gaps. Islamabad believes its diplomatic engagement during the Iran conflict has created an opportunity to secure economic dividends from Western partners, particularly the US.
However, Washington has not publicly commented on the request, and analysts caution that US support may depend on Pakistan’s fiscal reforms, geopolitical alignment, and regional stability. The request also comes at a sensitive moment, with shifting US priorities in the Middle East and rising tensions involving India, Iran, and China.