KEY POINTS
- Open-market USD/PKR rates hovered around Rs 282.65 (buying)/Rs 282.75 (selling)
- Interbank mid-rate stood at approximately Rs 281.17 per US dollar
- Market stability supported by balanced inflows and restrained speculative demand.
- Analysts caution that global dollar trends and external debt obligations could influence near-term movements.
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani rupee remained steady today, with the open-market US dollar priced at about Rs 282.65 buying and Rs 282.75 selling, according to the Exchange Companies Association.
The interbank rate, reported by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), was near Rs 281.17, reflecting a moderate premium over the formal market.
Market participants attributed today’s calm to steady remittances and measured demand.
“Balanced inflows and disciplined trading are keeping the rupee from sharp swings,” said a senior treasury official at a Karachi bank.
Drivers and Outlook
Despite today’s stability, analysts warn of potential pressures from rising global dollar strength, slowing exports, and external debt repayments.
“The rupee is holding for now, but sustained inflows and export growth are crucial for stability,” noted a Karachi-based currency strategist.
The SBP’s efforts to narrow the gap between interbank and open-market rates appear to have moderated volatility for now.
