Published on, Sept. 14 -- September 14, 2025 12:35 AM

Pakistan today faces a serious fiscal test as the weight of public debt continues to shape its economic trajectory. What was once a manageable obligation has now expanded into a structural challenge, consuming a large share of national resources and limiting the space for growth. Yet within this challenge lies an opportunity: if addressed with discipline and foresight, Pakistan can turn its debt burden into a catalyst for reform and sustainable progress.

According to official figures from the Ministry of Finance, Pakistan's total public debt has crossed Rs. 67 trillion as of mid-2025, with external debt standing at around $87.4 billion (Rs. 24.5 trillion). Debt servicing alone consum...