SBP Issues Clarification on Current Account Balance After PBS Trade Data Revision

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) clarified on Monday that its current account balance data will not see significant revisions following recent updates to trade figures by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). In a statement issued in response to speculation about possible changes, the central bank said its trade data is primarily based on trade payments information received from banks, rather than the customs-based data published by PBS. As a result, the SBP does not anticipate any major adjustments to the current account figures already released. “SBP’s trade data is computed mainly based on trade payments data received from banks; hence, there will be no significant revision in C/A balance data already published by SBP,” the statement said. The bank added that minor revisions may continue as per established practice. The clarification comes amid reports suggesting that recent revisions in PBS trade data could lead to similar changes in SBP’s trade and current account numbers. The SBP said the clarification was being issued in the broader public interest.