ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has sought US support to improve its access to international capital markets, strengthen its foreign exchange reserves and expand market access as the country achieved improvements in its sovereign credit ratings.
Pakistan’s Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb held talks with his US counterpart Scott Bessent in Washington, the Finance Ministry said in a statement.
During the meeting, Aurangzeb briefed the US Treasury Secretary on Pakistan’s journey toward macroeconomic stability, sustainable, and export-led growth.
Finance Minister Aurangzeb also highlighted the negative impacts of the regional situation on Pakistan’s economy.
The Finance Minister sought US cooperation to improve Pakistan’s access to international capital markets, strengthen its foreign exchange reserves, and enhance market access on the basis of improved sovereign credit ratings.
“We desire US cooperation for improved access to international capital markets, enhancement of foreign exchange reserves, and increased market access based on improved sovereign credit ratings,” the Finance Minister said.
وفاقی وزیرِ خزانہ و محصولات سینیٹر محمد اورنگ زیب کی امریکی ہم منصب سکاٹ بیسنٹ سے ملاقات
وزیرِ خزانہ سینیٹر محمد اورنگ زیب نے امریکی وزیر خزانہ کو پاکستان کے میکرواکنامک استحکام سے پائیدار اور برآمدات پر مبنی گروتھ کے سفر سے آگاہ کیا
وزیرخزانہ نے علاقائی صورتحال کے پاکستانی… pic.twitter.com/bYdKRDFXpt
— Ministry of Finance, Government of Pakistan (@Financegovpk) July 21, 2026
Both sides expressed their commitment to promoting economic cooperation, increasing US investment, and advancing strategic projects, the finance ministry said.
According to Reuters, the Finance Minister also asked the US Treasury Secretary to provide Pakistan with $10 billion Exchange Stabilisation Support Facility to help strengthen the national economy.
The request, first reported by Reuters, was confirmed by officials at Pakistan’s embassy in Washington, according to the daily Dawn.
An official readout issued by the embassy noted that Aurangzeb had sought US support for Pakistan’s road-to-market, based on improved access to international capital markets, higher foreign exchange reserves, and enhanced sovereign credit ratings. However, the statement made no mention of the $10 billion request.
According to the news agency, Islamabad is seeking the bilateral stabilisation facility, with a maturity of up to five years.
The proposed facility would be a financial mechanism under which the US government, through the Treasury’s Exchange Stabilisation Fund, would provide loans or other backstop facilities to Pakistan to bolster its foreign exchange reserves, ease debt pressures, and help stabilise the economy.
Such facilities are primarily used to prevent currency instability and, where necessary, support a partner country’s currency through intervention in foreign exchange markets.
Diplomatic sources in Washington, cited by Dawn, said there were “strong chances” that the $10 billion stabilisation request would be approved.
One source, according to Dawn, noted that the Trump administration “has a keen interest in remaining engaged” with Pakistan and has “more than once pledged” to help strengthen the country’s economy.
