Pakistani Rupee Becomes the Worst Currency Against US Dollar in Asia

The Pakistani Rupee (PKR) has crossed the Rs. 157 exchange rate against the US Dollar (USD) for the first time since March 2021. PKR closed above Rs. 157 today after posting losses continuously for five weeks, with sporadic improvements. It was not long ago when PKR was labeled as “the world’s best performing currency” after it appreciated the most against the USD during the first three months of the calendar year (January to March 2021). The recent weeks, however, have shown PKR to be among the worst currencies as local unit became the worst performer in Asia since its recent downhill as it dropped for five straight weeks. Last week, on Monday, PKR crossed the Rs. 156 exchange rate, and posted fluctuating movements the rest of the week. Today (21 June), PKR jumped above Rs. 157, closing at Rs. 157.51 against the USD, posting a loss of 61 paisas as compared to Rs. 156.89 on Friday (18 June). ALSO READ Rupee Continues to Fall With Big Losses Against All Major Currencies According to the financial analyst platform, Capital Stake, PKR traded between Rs. 157.88 and Rs. 156.92, after opening at Rs. 157.25 against the USD, before closing at Rs. 157.51 to the USD. PKR has lost Rs. 5.23, or 3.4 percent, to the USD since May 7, 2021, when the exchange rate was Rs. 152.28 to the USD. The deterioration has been much steeper in the past five weeks, as in early May, PKR traded at Rs. 152.5 to the USD.   Experts believe that there are payments pressures due to debt servicing and imports pickup, which are, in turn, happening due to better economic activities and international commodity prices moving upwards. ALSO READ Pakistan Hopes to Solve Tariff Issue With New Proposals to IMF and WB Furthermore, the trade deficit is once again entering the danger zone, which coupled with the strengthening of the USD in the international market is also putting pressure on all emerging markets, including Pakistan. The PKR has also been posting blanket losses against the other major currencies, with rare improvements. Today, PKR saw mixed results against most major currencies in the interbank currency market once again. It went down by 33 paisas against the Euro and by 21 paisas against the Pound Sterling (GBP). However, PKR improved by almost 18 paisas against the Australian Dollar (AUD) and by 41 paisas against the Canadian Dollar (CAD). ALSO READ Crypto Prices Steady As Bullish Investors Refuse To Sell The PKR posted losses against both the UAE Dirham (AED) and the Saudi Riyal (SAR), where it eroded by 16 paisas against both currencies in the interbank currency market today.