Dollar’s Real Value is PKR 243.32, Being Artificially Kept High: Economist Ashfaque Tola

Lahore: Renowned economic expert Ashfaque Tola has claimed that the actual value of the US dollar today stands at PKR 243.32, but it is being artificially maintained at a higher rate.
Speaking on a private television program, Tola stated that for over a year, he has been asserting that the dollar’s value should not have exceeded PKR 235. He alleged that the exchange rate has been deliberately inflated, primarily due to Pakistan’s commitments under multilateral agreements with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which, according to him, required the government to keep the dollar rate elevated.
He further explained that some domestic players, especially from the export sector, have a vested interest in maintaining a high dollar value. These exporters, Tola said, benefited significantly when the rupee depreciated and continue to profit under the current artificially high exchange rate.
“The real value today is PKR 243.32. Even the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, and the Army Chief have acknowledged that the dollar is overvalued and should come down,” Tola added.
He urged the authorities to come clean with the nation, stating, “If there are any restrictions or conditions, they should be presented before the public—we deserve the truth.”