Islamabad: The debt burden on every Pakistani climbed to Rs333,041 in the fiscal year 2024–25, a 13 percent increase from the previous year, according to the Fiscal Policy Statement presented to Parliament.
The Ministry of Finance attributed the rise to higher interest payments and additional borrowing, which pushed public debt beyond statutory limits.
Total public debt increased from Rs71.2 trillion in June 2024 to Rs80.5 trillion in June 2025, while debt as a share of GDP rose from 67.6 percent to 70.7 percent.
The report highlighted that exchange rate fluctuations and rising interest costs were key drivers of the increase. Unlike the United States, where exceeding the debt ceiling can halt government operations, Pakistan’s Parliament is only informed of such breaches without direct consequences for the federal government.
The fiscal year 2024–25 marked the first full year of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government.
Despite austerity claims, the report noted the creation of new departments, an expanded cabinet, and continued spending on official furniture and vehicles.
