Karachi, February 16, 2026 – The Pakistani rupee showed slight strength in Monday’s session, with the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) fixing the Dollar rate at Rs279.6133. This marks a marginal decline of one paisa from the previous close and represents the lowest Dollar print of 2026 so far.
Market analysts say the Dollar remains anchored within the 279–282 range that has dominated trade since October. One-week forwards were quoted at 279.64, implying minimal carrying costs. Exporters continue to sell positions above 280.00, while petroleum importers accumulate when the Dollar dips below 279.60.
A senior treasury official said, “Market liquidity remains strong; the currency is moving due to technical adjustments rather than fundamental shifts.”
Other major currencies showed mixed trends. The British Pound increased to 381.77, while the Saudi Riyal edged lower to 74.56. The UAE Dirham and Qatari Riyal remained largely stable at 76.13 and 76.75, respectively. Commodity-linked currencies such as the Australian Dollar and Canadian Dollar strengthened slightly due to steady iron ore and crude oil prices.
Currency forwards indicate low annualised rupee depreciation, reflecting confidence in SBP’s ability to manage the foreign exchange market. Current reserves stand at $21.26 billion, providing stability for the Dollar-PKR exchange rate. Analysts anticipate the Dollar will continue to trade within the 278–282 range for the first quarter of 2026 unless political or global oil price shocks occur.
In other news read more about Pakistan Currency Rates Today: Dollar And Major Currencies Update
Investors and importers are advised to monitor live Dollar rates and forward premiums to make informed currency decisions. The outlook suggests a stable foreign exchange market, supported by strong reserves and consistent remittance flows.
