KARACHI: The country`s central government debt increased by four per cent in the first quarter (JulySeptember) of the current fiscal year while external debt also went up by almost the same percentage.

The latest data issued by the State Bank of Pakistan on Wednesday shows that the central government`s total debt was Rs40.259 trillion by the end of September compared to Rs38.699tr at the end of June, an increase of Rs1.56tr.

The domestic debt and liabilities of the government increased by Rs179 billion to Rs27.137tr during the quarter. The amount was Rs26.958tr at the end of June.

The external debt of the government rose 3.9 per cent during the quarter under review, reaching $127.023bn.

However, the external debt servicing remained $1.652bn, significantly lower than the average quarterly payment of $3.357bn during the previous fiscal year.