Tue, 21-Oct-2025

USD reaches six-month low against Pakistani rupee

Dollar pkr

The Pakistani rupee (PKR) has been on an upward trend against the US dollar (USD), reaching its lowest level in six months. This shift comes amid efforts to curb dollar smuggling. In interbank trading this week, the US dollar depreciated by 5.50 rupees, closing at 282.69 rupees, a notable decline from the previous week’s closing … Read more

Lower imports & Oil drop; Rupee close week with big profits

Lower imports & Oil drop
  • The PKR increased today in the interbank market by Rs.2.11, or 0.94 percent, to settle at Rs. 224.04.
  • The local currency reached an intraday high of Rs. 221.25 versus the US dollar on Friday.
  • Oil prices fell on Friday and are now close to their lowest levels since February 2022.

Today’s intraday trading saw significant gains for the Pakistani Rupee (PKR) against the US Dollar (USD), continuing its upward trend.

It increased today in the interbank market by Rs. 2.11, or 0.94 percent, to settle at Rs. 224.04.

During today’s open market session, the local currency reached an intraday high of Rs. 221.25 versus the US dollar.

As the nation carefully recovers from the currency crisis amid renewed hope for the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) bailout program, the rupee finished in the green for the sixth straight day on Friday.

The lender’s remarks, weak importer demand for the dollar, and exporters selling the USD all contributed to the support of the PKR.

In addition, the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics reports that overall imports decreased to $4.9 billion in July 2022 from $7.9 billion the previous month.

Due to restrictions on some imports and a decline in petroleum imports, imports were down.

On August 3, the local currency saw its largest absolute gain versus the US dollar (PKR 9.59; 4.19 percent).

Overall, the PKR has decreased by 21.21 percent year-to-date (CYTD). Since CY21’s peak on May 14, it has been down 32.03 percent.

The rupee had a precipitous decline in July, hitting a record low of 239,94 on July 28. But since July 29, it has changed course, and its value has increased dramatically.

Oil prices fell on Friday and are now close to their lowest levels since February 2022 as the market jitters over a potential recession and a dip in gasoline demand persisted.

While US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) plummeted and went down by 0.46 percent to settle at $88.13 per barrel, Brent oil was down by 0.25 percent at $93.88 per barrel.

Today’s interbank market saw significant increases in the PKR relative to the other major currencies. It increased in value versus the Saudi Riyal (SAR), the UAE Dirham (AED), the Australian Dollar (AUD), the Canadian Dollar (CAD), and the Pound Sterling by 56 paisas, 57 paisas, Rs. 1.54, Rs. 1.92, and Rs. 2.47, respectively (GBP).

Moreover, in today’s interbank foreign exchange market, it increased by Rs. 1.04 in relation to the Euro (EUR).

 

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Pakistan’s debt rises by Rs. 6 Trillion due to rupee’s fall

UNISAME calls for steps to curb further rupee depreciation
  • The dollar has appreciated by 45.44 rupees against the rupee under the new coalition government.
  • Currency devaluation pushed inflation to its greatest level in 13 years, according to figures.
  • The FX market may stabilize when trade data rise and the IMF Program is revived.

The weakening of the Pakistani Rupee (PKR) versus the US Dollar (USD) over the previous three-and-a-half months has added about Rs. 6 trillion to Pakistan’s external debt.

The dollar has appreciated by 45.44 rupees against the rupee under the new coalition government, sources said. This is the loss in computations, yet more counterpart rupees must be generated after depreciation.

The opposition parties submitted a No-Confidence Motion against Imran Khan on 8 March and 10 April, removing him from office.

During the new coalition government’s tenure, the free depreciation of the local currency versus the dollar has exacerbated the country’s foreign debt burden. Delay in IMF contracts, politics, oil prices, and increasing foreign fuel payments lowered the rupee value.

According to State Bank, Pakistan’s external debt and liabilities totaling $129 billion on 31 March 2022. (SBP). In March, the government’s external debt reached $100 billion. Banks’ external loans reached $5.8 billion while PSEs hit $7.3 billion. By March 2022, private sector foreign debt was $11 billion and direct investor debt was $4.2 billion.

In March, Pakistan’s overall debt was 53 trillion PKR, including 21.54 trillion in government external debt. End of March, the SBP reported Rs. 183.5 per USD. This amount is roughly Rs 27.54 billion.

After March, it rose by Rs. 45 due to political uncertainty, depreciating forex reserves due to hefty payments, the end of an IMF loan program, and other reasons that ignited the forex market.

Due to the rupee’s depreciation, Pakistan’s external debt has increased by roughly Rs. 6 trillion without new borrowings.

Any change in rupee value can reverse this “loss in calculation” and lessen the debt burden.

Experts say the PKR’s depreciation has raised the country’s debt burden and driven inflation in the last three months. They argued currency devaluation raises energy prices, which boosts inflation.

Pakistan’s inflation rate rose from 11% to 21% in three months (PBS). Currency devaluation pushed inflation to its greatest level in 13 years, according to figures.

Pakistan’s market-determined exchange rate system is influenced by trade deficit and market news. Fuel and other import payments have skyrocketed in the last half-year.

Former Finance Advisor Dr. Khaqan Najeeb said the current PKR adjustment is partly due to election results and Fitch’s downgrade. Letters of Credit (LCs) from energy imports in May and June 2022 are another crucial factor.

Low forex reserves and international factors limit SBP’s ability to moderate chaotic movement.

The dollar’s rise also hurts the rupee. The FX market may stabilize when trade data rise and the IMF Program is revived by August’s end.

 

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