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KARACHI: Pakistan was downgraded by S&P Global Ratings to “CCC+” from “B” reflecting a continued weakening of the country’s external, fiscal and economic metrics.
Also read: Moody’s downgrades Pakistan’s rating to Caa1
This came when State Bank also said on Thursday its reserves had fallen $584 million to $6.11 billion during the week ending December 16 due to external debt repayments, barely enough to cover a month of imports.
According to S&P, Pakistan’s credit score was cut by a notch to CCC+ from B- by S&P, which expects Pakistan’s dwindling foreign reserves to remain under pressure in the coming year, just as political risks lingers, according to a Thursday statement.
Pakistan’s already low foreign exchange reserves will remain under pressure through 2023 unless oil prices slump or foreign assistance improves, the agency said. The country also faces elevated political risks which may affect its policy trajectory over the next year.
Also read: Fitch downgrades Pakistan’s rating to CCC+ from B-
Pakistan also faces elevated political risks that may affect its policy trajectory over the next year, the agency said. This year’s severe floods, surging food and energy inflation as well as rising global interest rates are also expected to depress Pakistan’s economic and fiscal outcomes, with refinancing challenges over the medium term, the report said.
The agency maintained its outlook at “stable”.
With the depleting reserves and a review by the International Monetary Fund pending since September, Pakistan is in dire need of external financing support.