RECORDER REPORT
KARACHI: The Pakistani rupee secured further gains against the US dollar, appreciating 0.01% in the inter-bank market on Friday.
At close, the local currency settled at 279.77, a gain of Re0.03 against the greenback.
On Thursday, the local unit closed at 279. 80.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday announced a series of measures aimed at strengthening Pakistan’s industry, trade, and exports. The initiatives included a 300-basis-point cut in the refinance rate for exporters to 4.5% and reductions in industrial power tariffs and wheeling charges.
Internationally, the US dollar rose, paring its weekly slide, after US President Donald Trump said he would soon announce his nominee to head the Federal Reserve and on optimism that Washington will avert a government shutdown.
Trump said he intends to name his pick to replace Fed Chair Jerome Powell on Friday, following reports that former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh visited the White House. In Japan, data showed inflation slowed in Tokyo but matched the central bank’s target.
The greenback clawed back some losses from this week as tensions between Trump and Cuba, Iran, Venezuela, Greenland and Europe caused some investors to lose confidence in US assets.
The dollar index, which measures the greenback against a basket of currencies, rose 0.4% to 96.60, trimming its weekly decline to 0.9%.
Oil prices, a key indicator of currency parity, slipped on Friday on signs that the US may engage in dialogue with Iran over its nuclear programme, reducing concern over potential supply disruptions from a US attack.
Brent crude futures were down 21 cents, or 0.3%, at $70.50 a barrel by 1219 GMT. The March contract expires later on Friday. The more active April contract lost 45 cents, or 0.65%, to $69.14.
US West Texas Intermediate crude fell 38 cents, or 0.6%, to $65.04 a barrel.
Open-market movement
In the open market, the PKR lost 9 paise for buying and gained 6 paise for selling against USD, closing at 280.22 and 280.82, respectively.
Against Euro, the PKR gained 1.13 rupee for buying and 1.42 rupee for selling, closing at 333.72 and 336.84, respectively.
Against UAE Dirham, the PKR gained 1 paisa for both buying and selling, closing at 76.49 and 77.29, respectively.
Against Saudi Riyal, the PKR remained unchanged for both buying and selling, closing at 74.80 and 75.42, respectively.
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Open Bid Rs 280.22
Open Offer Rs 280.82
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Interbank Closing Rates: Interbank Closing Rates For Dollar on Friday
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Open Bid Rs 279.77
Open Offer Rs 279.97
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RUPEE IN LAHORE: The Pakistani rupee maintained the weeklong firmer trend against the US dollar while strengthened against the British pound, amid low trade activity in the local currency market on Friday.
According to currency dealers, the rupee opened with an optimistic note but failed to maintain strength, moving up and down in intraday session and subsequent hours. However, during the last session, activity picked up and rupee settled firm before the closing bells rang.
Dealers said at close, the buying rate of the PKR remained unchanged from the previous day at Rs 280.00 and selling value fractionally moved up to Rs 280.80 from Rs 280.85.
The local currency, however, improved versus the British pound, with its buying and selling rates closing at Rs385.40 and Rs388.00, respectively compared with Rs 385.60 and Rs 389.00 of Thursday.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
