Pakistani Rupee Nears 20-Month High Against Dollar and Dirham
Islamabad (Special Correspondent) – The Pakistani rupee has approached its highest level in nearly 20 months against the US dollar and the UAE dirham, a development economic experts are describing as a sign of improving currency stability.
According to market data, the rupee strengthened further during trading, with the exchange rate remaining below Rs278 per US dollar and hovering around Rs277.4. Against the UAE dirham, the rupee traded near Rs75.5.
Over the past 10 months, the Pakistani rupee has appreciated by more than 3 percent, mainly due to rising foreign exchange reserves and support from international financial institutions.
According to the State Bank of Pakistan, the country’s total liquid foreign exchange reserves have also increased significantly, rising from $14.75 billion in April 2025 to $22.59 billion in the current month.
An economic report stated that the Real Effective Exchange Rate (REER) improved to 105.8 in April 2026, compared to 104.3 in March, indicating stronger currency performance. However, the country recorded a current account deficit of $324 million in April 2026, reversing the surplus reported in the previous month.
Economic analysts said that the recent stability of the rupee has been supported by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) program, financial assistance from Saudi Arabia, and strict fiscal and monetary policies.
The report added that high interest rates, energy price adjustments, and a market-based exchange rate system helped reduce pressure on the currency while also improving investor confidence.
Experts, however, warned that delays in IMF disbursements, rising global oil prices, or deterioration in the political and security situation could once again put pressure on the rupee.
