US dollar may hit Rs 150 mark against Pakistani Rupee in coming days: Report
Shares
ISLAMABAD - US dollar may hit Rs 150 mark against Pakistan Rupee over the issue of IMF bailout package
The dollar is on the rise again and has hit its highest level ever of Rs142.5 on Saturday.
The greenback was trading at Rs142.5 in the open market on Saturday, breaching its previous high of Rs140.78 on Friday.
Last year, the dollar appreciated 27% against the rupee, witnessing two of its biggest ever single day jumps in the short span of one and a half months. It was one of the most volatile years in terms of exchange rates.
Experts attribute last year’s rise in dollar rates to our depleting foreign exchange reserves, which fell below $7 billion in December. This level was not sustainable beyond two months of import payments. The shortage of dollars had kept rupee under pressure for most of 2018 and resulted in its devaluation.
Related: $2.1b from China to be deposited into State Bank’s account by March 25 link
However, the government was able to secure back to back aid packages from Saudi Arabia and the UAE during Prime Minister Imran Khan’s visits last year. The Saudi government has dispatched the $3 billion it had pledged in support of our foreign exchange reserves. The UAE, on the other hand, has sent $2 billion and will send another $1 billion soon. China also recently sent $2.1 billion to support Pakistan’s dollar reserves.
