KARACHI: Pakistan rupee welcomed 2026 with another weekly gain as it appreciated by Re0.06 or 0.02 percent against the US dollar in the inter-bank market.
The local unit closed at 280.11, against 280.17 it had closed the week earlier against the greenback, according to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).
Pakistan’s trade deficit significantly increased by nearly 24 percent to USD3.7 billion in December 2025, as compared to the same month of the previous year, data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) showed.
The trade balance, the gap between exports and imports, was recorded at a deficit of USD2.99 billion in December 2024.
The country’s headline inflation clocked in at 5.6 percent on a year-on-year (YoY) basis in December 2025, a reading in line with the Ministry of Finance estimate of 5.5-6.5 percent.
The consumer price index (CPI) was recorded at 6.1 percent in November 2025. The CPI stood at 4.1 percent in December 2024.
The government raised record Rs2 trillion through domestic Sukuk issuances in 2025, marking the highest annual volume since the introduction of Islamic bonds in 2008.
The development was shared by Finance minister’s advisor Khurram Schehzad.
Pakistan’s liquid foreign exchange reserves stood at USD21.012 billion as of December 26, 2025, with reserves held by the SBP accounting for USD15.915 billion.
Pakistan’s economy is projected to maintain its “positive momentum” in the coming months, driven by industrial growth, improved governance, digitalisation, and prudent macroeconomic management, the Ministry of Finance said in its Monthly Economic Update & Outlook December 2025.
Open-market rates
In the open market, the PKR gained 9 paise for buying and 5 paise for selling against USD, closing at 280.54 and 281.15, respectively.
Against Euro, the PKR gained 1.18 rupee for buying and 1.45 rupee for selling, closing at 328.69 and 331.62, respectively.
Against UAE Dirham, the PKR gained 3 paise for buying and 7 paise for selling, closing at 76.51 and 77.27, respectively.
Against Saudi Riyal, the PKR gained 1 paisa for buying and lost 3 paise for selling, closing at 74.80 and 75.42, respectively.
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Weekly inter-bank market rates for dollar
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Bid Close Rs. 280.11
Offer Close Rs. 280.31
Bid Open Rs. 280.17
Offer Open Rs. 280.37
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Weekly open-market rates for dollar
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Bid Close Rs. 280.54
Offer Close Rs. 281.15
Bid Open Rs. 280.63
Offer Open Rs. 281.20
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Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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