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

Editorial

Tough talks
Updated 16 Apr, 2024

Tough talks

The key to unlocking fresh IMF funds lies in convincing the lender that Pakistan is now ready to undertake real reforms.
Caught unawares
Updated 16 Apr, 2024

Caught unawares

The government must prioritise the upgrading of infrastructure to withstand extreme weather.
Going off track
16 Apr, 2024

Going off track

LIKE many other state-owned enterprises in the country, Pakistan Railways is unable to deliver, while haemorrhaging...
Iran’s counterstrike
Updated 15 Apr, 2024

Iran’s counterstrike

Israel, by attacking Iran’s diplomatic facilities and violating Syrian airspace, is largely responsible for this dangerous situation.
Opposition alliance
15 Apr, 2024

Opposition alliance

AFTER the customary Ramazan interlude, political activity has resumed as usual. A ‘grand’ opposition alliance ...
On the margins
15 Apr, 2024

On the margins

IT appears that we are bent upon taking the majoritarian path. Thus, the promise of respect and equality for the...