Karachi, February 13, 2026 – The Pakistani rupee (PKR) strengthened slightly against the US dollar on Friday, gaining 3 paisa amid robust inflows of overseas remittances ahead of the holy month of Ramadan.
According to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), the dollar closed at Rs279.62 in the interbank foreign exchange market, compared to Rs279.65 in the previous session. Analysts said that this modest appreciation reflects a combination of strong remittances and rising foreign exchange reserves.
Currency experts explained that remittances tend to increase before Ramadan as overseas Pakistanis send funds to support their families for festive and household expenditures. This seasonal surge has helped bolster the rupee’s value against the US dollar.
Additionally, the SBP reported a weekly rise of $21 million in foreign exchange reserves, bringing the total reserves to $16.178 billion. This increase has provided further support to the local currency amid ongoing external sector pressures.
Experts highlighted that while the PKR’s appreciation is a positive signal, sustained inflows are essential to stabilize the exchange rate in the medium term. They cautioned that import payments are expected to rise in the coming weeks as economic activity gains momentum, which could place renewed pressure on the rupee if remittance flows do not keep pace.
Traders and investors are advised to monitor currency movements closely, as fluctuations in global market conditions, trade balances, and remittance patterns will continue to influence the PKR-USD rate in the weeks leading to Ramadan.