ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani rupee’s free fall continued against the US dollar Friday, as the local unit receded by Rs1.25 against the dollar in the interbank market to closed at 220.6 against the dollar.
On Thursday, the rupee suffered a depreciation of over Rs1.03 and closed at Rs219.41. The local currency lost 6.01 against the greenback during the week ended August 26 as it depreciated in all five trading sessions.
It may be noted that there is more than Rs8 difference between the rate of dollar in the interbank market and the open market.
Speaking to Mettis Global, Zafar Paracha, President of Exchange Companies of Pakistan (ECP) said on Thursday, “The notable difference of Rs8.5 between the rates being offered by the interbank market and open market indicate the element of smuggling.
He said most citizens were not currently selling their foreign exchange holdings in the open market, as “a strong grey market” had emerged, which was buying the dollar at a much higher rate of Rs235 while “we are buying at 227.50”.
The money dealers have cited dollar’s flight to Afghanistan as the American currency is being sold there for about Rs240, attracting smugglers to earn profit.
Besides this, the dearth of dollar has also been attributed to the newly enforced law by the UAE for Pakistani travelers who are required to have 5,000 dirhams along with a valid work visa and a return ticket at the time of their landing in the gulf country.
As there is high demand for the UAE dirhams in the open market and when the buyers can’t get it, they start buying the US dollars thus increasing its rate in the market.
Some forex dealers also hold government responsible for this mess saying that its decision to lift ban on the import of luxury items is also contributing to the appreciation in the value of American currency.
During the last 52 weeks, Pakistani rupee lost 24.52% against the greenback while reaching its lowest at 239.94 on July 28, 2022, and the highest at 165.62 on August 27, 2021.
Meanwhile, the total liquid foreign exchange reserves held by the country decreased by $92 million to stand at $13.5 billion during the week ended on August 19, 2022, compared to $13.6 billion in the previous week, weekly data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Thursday showed.
Data further revealed that reserves held by the central bank during the week went down by $87 million to clock in at $7.8 billion compared to $7.9 billion in the outgoing week.
On the other hand, reserves of commercial banks dropped by $4 million to $5.7 billion.
It is important to note here that the current level of foreign currency reserves is barely enough to cover 1.11 months of import bills.
The Rupee’s weakness was likely due to concerns over the US-China trade war, as well as global political and economic instability.
Rupee slumps to Rs.220.7 per dollar in interbank … The local currency closed at Rs220.66 per dollar, having depreciated 0.57 per cent.
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Since hitting an all-time low in the interbank market last month, the currency has gained more than 8%.