The rupee plunged to an all-time low against the dollar after losing Rs1.14, closing at Rs185.2 in the interbank market on Tuesday.

On Sunday, National Assembly (NA) Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri prorogued the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan after which President Arif Alvi dissolved the NA on the prime minister's advice.

The legality of these moves is currently being debated in the Supreme Court, which is expected to issue an order soon.

The impact of the situation put pressure on the rupee after which it breached the Rs185-mark for the first time ever earlier today. Mettis Global — a web-based financial data and analytics portal — said that the rupee had lost its worth by more than 3 per cent or Rs5.4 since March 8, when the no-confidence motion was submitted in the NA.

General secretary of the Exchange Companies Association of Pakistan, Zafar Paracha, called today a "black day in the history of Pakistan".

"All exchange companies are selling 99pc of their foreign reserves in the interbank," he said. "The market is suffering because of the worsening political situation."

Paracha added that the news regarding the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Programme further came as a blow.

Yesterday, IMF’s resident representative in Islamabad Esther Perez Ruiz said that the fund would engage with the new government once it was formed.

“The Fund looks forward to continue its support to Pakistan and, once a new government is formed, we will engage on policies to promote macroeconomic stability, and inquire about intentions vis-a-vis programme engagement,” she said, adding “There is no concept of suspension within IMF programmes."

Meanwhile, Paracha said that the market had pinned hopes on an early verdict by the Supreme Court.

Malik Bostan, chairman of Pakistan Forex Association, also urged the apex court to pass an early decision to prevent further damage to the economy.

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

Opinion

Editorial

Strange claim
Updated 21 Dec, 2024

Strange claim

In all likelihood, Pakistan and US will continue to be ‘frenemies'.
Media strangulation
Updated 21 Dec, 2024

Media strangulation

Administration must decide whether it wishes to be remembered as an enabler or an executioner of press freedom.
Israeli rampage
21 Dec, 2024

Israeli rampage

ALONG with the genocide in Gaza, Israel has embarked on a regional rampage, attacking Arab and Muslim states with...
Tax amendments
Updated 20 Dec, 2024

Tax amendments

Bureaucracy gimmicks have not produced results, will not do so in the future.
Cricket breakthrough
20 Dec, 2024

Cricket breakthrough

IT had been made clear to Pakistan that a Champions Trophy without India was not even a distant possibility, even if...
Troubled waters
20 Dec, 2024

Troubled waters

LURCHING from one crisis to the next, the Pakistani state has been consistent in failing its vulnerable citizens....