KARACHI: The Pakistan rupee extended its marginal upward trend for another week, appreciating by Re0.08 or 0.03 percent against the US dollar in the interbank market.
The local unit closed at 279.17, against 279.25 it had closed the week earlier against the greenback, according to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).
In a key development, Pakistan authorities and International Monetary Fund (IMF) reached a staff-level agreement on the third review under Pakistan’s Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and the second review under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF).
Upon approval by the IMF Executive Board, Pakistan will have access to about USD1.0 billion (SDR 760 million) under the EFF and about USD210 million (SDR 154 million) under the RSF, bringing total disbursements under the two arrangements to about USD4.5 billion.
Meanwhile, the foreign exchange reserves held by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) increased by USD22 million to USD16.376 billion during the week ended March 19. The country’s total liquid foreign reserves stood at USD21.736 billion.
Open-market rates
In the open market, the PKR lost 6 paise for buying and gained 9 paise for selling against USD, closing at 279.46 and 280.23, respectively.
Against Euro, the PKR lost 2.10 rupees for buying and 1.90 rupee for selling, closing at 321.40 and 324.85, respectively.
Against UAE Dirham, the PKR lost 17 paise for buying and 8 paise for selling, closing at 75.98 and 76.85, respectively.
Against Saudi Riyal, the PKR lost 30 paise for buying and 8 paise for selling, closing at 74.18 and 74.93, respectively.
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Weekly inter-bank market rates for dollar
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Bid Close Rs. 279.17
Offer Close Rs. 279.37
Bid Open Rs. 279.25
Offer Open Rs. 279.45
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Weekly open-market rates for dollar
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Bid Close Rs. 279.46
Offer Close Rs. 280.23
Bid Open Rs. 279.40
Offer Open Rs. 280.32
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Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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