Dollar creates another high against rupee, soars to Rs173 in interbank market

Published October 18, 2021
A file photo of a person holding US dollar bills. — AFP/File
A file photo of a person holding US dollar bills. — AFP/File

The US dollar made a new high against the rupee on Monday, soaring to Rs173 in the interbank market.

According to an update on Mettis Global, a web-based financial data and analytics portal, the rupee was being traded at Rs173 against the dollar at 12:37pm compared to the previous session's close of 171.18.

The report said that strong demand for the greenback as well as rising prices of crude oil in international markets were behind the latest round of erosion in the rupee's value.

The report further said that additional pressure on the rupee was created due to no timeframe determined for the conclusion of the ongoing negotiations between the government and the International Monetary Fund that has led to a delay in the release of the next tranche from the Fund.

Effects of IMF's talks being seen in market: Paracha

Zafar Paracha, the chairman of the Exchange Companies Association of Pakistan, told Dawn.com that the sudden surge in the dollar's value was a "concerning matter" for him.

He said the government had given "clear signals" about the rupee's depreciation against the dollar in its talks with the IMF and the effects of that were now being seen in the market.

Paracha further said that uncertainty in the market would remain and its effects would be felt until the IMF deal was finalised.

He said that the officials who trying to curtail the smuggling of the dollar were being harassed, and that was also a factor in the greenback's surge.

Paracha said the government needed to "immediately consult" all the stakeholders or a "crisis" in the currency market could emerge and affect the entire economic environment.

Follow Dawn Business on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook for insights on business, finance and tech from Pakistan and across the world.

Opinion

Accessing the RSF

Accessing the RSF

RSF can help catalyse private sector inves­tment encouraging investment flows, build upon institutional partnerships with MDBs, other financial institutions.

Editorial

Madressah oversight
Updated 19 Dec, 2024

Madressah oversight

Bill should be reconsidered and Directorate General of Religious Education, formed to oversee seminaries, should not be rolled back.
Kurram’s misery
Updated 19 Dec, 2024

Kurram’s misery

The state must recognise that allowing such hardship to continue undermines its basic duty to protect citizens’ well-being.
Hiking gas rates
19 Dec, 2024

Hiking gas rates

IMPLEMENTATION of a new Ogra recommendation to increase the gas prices by an average 8.7pc or Rs142.45 per mmBtu in...
Geopolitical games
Updated 18 Dec, 2024

Geopolitical games

While Assad may be gone — and not many are mourning the end of his brutal rule — Syria’s future does not look promising.
Polio’s toll
18 Dec, 2024

Polio’s toll

MONDAY’s attacks on polio workers in Karak and Bannu that martyred Constable Irfanullah and wounded two ...
Development expenditure
18 Dec, 2024

Development expenditure

PAKISTAN’S infrastructure development woes are wide and deep. The country must annually spend at least 10pc of its...