Pakistan’s external debt nearly doubles over the past decade, reaching $135.1 billion by 2025, according to a World Bank international debt report cited by multiple outlets. The reporting links the rise to higher borrowing by low- and middle-income countries and highlights the composition of Pakistan’s debt, including public and publicly-guaranteed obligations as well as private and short-term debt.
Across the coverage, China is consistently described as Pakistan’s largest creditor. Some outlets also break down the creditors and debt components, including amounts owed to multilateral and bilateral lenders, and provide figures on loan terms and interest rates. The papers also reference broader context from the same World Bank reporting, including record levels of external debt across developing economies and changes in debt-to-income ratios.
Outlets differ mainly in what they foreground: some lead with the size and lender ranking, while others emphasize detailed categories of debt, estimated future levels, or wider global trends. Despite these framing differences, the core figures on Pakistan’s external debt level and China’s role as a top lender are shared.
