Karachi, February 27, 2026 – The Pakistani rupee (PKR) strengthened by three paisa against the US dollar (USD) on Friday, despite ongoing tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
According to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), the rupee closed at Rs279.47 per USD, up from the previous day’s Rs279.50 in the interbank market.
Factors Driving Rupee Appreciation
• Military Operations: Pakistan Army’s successful airstrikes across Afghanistan targeting terrorist hideouts contributed to positive market sentiment, reinforcing confidence in the local currency.
• Foreign Exchange Reserves: Improved reserves also supported the rupee, with the SBP reporting an increase of $106 million, bringing total reserves to $21.41 billion as of February 20, 2026.
• Remittances and Export Receipts: Inflows from overseas Pakistanis and export revenues further bolstered the currency.
Currency market analysts noted that while the last trading day of the week usually sees higher dollar demand for import payments, the PKR managed to appreciate due to these supportive factors.
Outlook
Analysts highlighted that ongoing improvement in economic indicators could accelerate manufacturing activities, potentially increasing future demand for imported raw materials and finished goods. This may impact the PKR’s performance in coming weeks, but current trends suggest moderate stability and strength in the domestic currency.
Disclaimer:
This article is for informational purposes only. Currency values are subject to change based on market dynamics, and investors should refer to official SBP releases before making transactions.