KARACHI: The US dollar gained 50 paisas against the Pakistani Rupee (PKR) on Thursday amid demand for import payments and lower foreign exchange reserves.
The exchange rate recorded 50 paisas decline in rupee value to end at PKR 218.38 to the dollar from previous day’s closing of PKR 217.88 in the interbank foreign exchange market.
READ MORE: Dollar ends 13-day losing streak; ends at PKR 217.88
Currency experts said that the high import payment demand and lower foreign exchange reserves had starting pressure on the local unit.
It was second straight day when the dollar had made recovery after falling for 13 straight sessions.
The exchange rate reached to near record low of PKR 239.71 on September 22, 2022 to the dollar but ended at PKR 217.79 on October 10, 2022. Dar recently claimed that the actual value of the dollar is below PKR 200 and he vowed to bring it down.
READ MORE: PKR maintains winning streak to dollar for 13th straight session
The experts said that the rupee had made gain during the past couple of weeks due to various measures taken by the central bank to curb the dollar hoarding.
They said that tight monitoring of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on foreign currency transactions helped the rupee to make gain.
Recently, the SBP had amended foreign exchange regulations with an objective to promote documentation and transparency in the foreign exchange transactions between exchange companies.
In terms of revised regulations, it has been made mandatory for Exchange Companies, Franchises of Exchange Companies and Exchange Companies of ‘B’ Category to settle Pakistan Rupee consideration of all foreign currency purchase/ sale transactions conducted among themselves through their bank accounts.
READ MORE: Rupee gains for 12th straight session; dollar ends at PKR 217.97
Besides, stress has been laid on ensuring that CCTV Systems of Exchange Companies and Exchange Companies of ‘B’ Category should be functional at all times (i.e. 24 hours a day and 7 days a week) as required under existing regulations.
However, in order to ensure transparency, it has been advised that Exchange Companies and Exchange Companies of ‘B’ Category shall not carry out any business activity during the period in which CCTV system is non-functional at any of their outlet for any reason, including technical faults, until the functionality of the CCTV system is restored.
READ MORE: Rupee gains for 11th session; dollar falls to PKR 219.92
Moreover, minimum preservation period of video recording through CCTV system has been enhanced from two to six months or until the inspection of the company by SBP, whichever is earlier.
This would ensure availability of CCTV recording for audit/inspection purposes, according to the SBP.
Meanwhile, the international oil prices also softened which helped the rupee to make gains.
The local currency witnessed the historic low at PKR 239.94 to the dollar on July 28, 2022.