Karachi, February 18, 2026 – The Pakistani rupee showed slight strength on Wednesday as the Dollar traded lower against the local currency. The State Bank of Pakistan fixed the USD/PKR rate at Rs279.57, which is four paisa below the previous close.
This marks the strongest level for the rupee so far in 2026. The Dollar has remained within the 279 to 282 range since October. Market analysts say this shows stability rather than any major shift.
Traders reported healthy market liquidity during the session. Exporters continued selling foreign currency when the Dollar moved above 280. At the same time, oil importers bought dollars on dips below 279.60.
A senior treasury official said the movement was technical. He added that there was no strong economic trigger behind the change.
The British pound also weakened slightly and closed at Rs379.14. Forward rates suggest mild rupee depreciation over the next year. Garment exporters remain active in booking forward contracts to manage risk.
The Saudi riyal stood at Rs74.55, showing little change. Exchange companies reported steady demand from pilgrims preparing for Umrah travel. The UAE dirham traded near Rs76.12, supported by stable remittance flows.
Other Gulf currencies, including the Qatari riyal and Kuwaiti dinar, followed similar trends. The dinar remained above Rs915 due to lower trading volumes and limited supply.
Among global currencies, the Australian dollar slipped to Rs197.74. This followed a decline in iron ore prices. The Canadian dollar also fell to Rs204.64 as global oil prices stayed near $75 per barrel.
The euro opened at Rs330.83 after weak inflation data in Europe. The Japanese yen remained the cheapest major currency at Rs1.82 per unit.
Currency experts say Pakistan’s foreign exchange market looks stable. Forward premiums remain low across most currencies. This shows confidence in the central bank’s position.
Pakistan’s foreign reserves recently crossed $21 billion. The real effective exchange rate also remains within competitive limits.
Unless global oil prices rise sharply or political uncertainty increases, analysts expect the Dollar to stay near current levels. Most dealers believe the rupee will trade between 278 and 282 in the coming months.
In other news read more about Dollar Holds Steady in Pakistan as Rupee Shows Minor Gains
Overall, the steady Dollar rate reflects calm market conditions and balanced demand in Pakistan’s foreign exchange market.
