Rupee Edges Up as Reserves Rise and IMF Flags Price Risks
A small inter‑bank appreciation and a weekly reserve uptick come alongside an IMF warning that conflict-driven energy and food price pressures could force tighter policy.
Overview
- The State Bank of Pakistan reported the rupee closed at 276.82 in the inter‑bank market, a gain of Re0.09 from the previous week.
- SBP foreign exchange reserves rose by USD 19 million to USD 21.49 billion and total liquid reserves were USD 26.83 billion, which includes USD 5.34 billion held by commercial banks.
- The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics confirmed FY2026 GDP growth of 3.65 percent, slightly below the National Accounts Committee’s earlier 3.70 percent estimate.
- The International Monetary Fund warned that rising oil and food prices linked to the Middle East conflict could increase inflationary pressure and may require Pakistan to tighten monetary policy if those risks persist.
- Daily open‑market quotes reported by local publications showed small, source‑dependent differences, underlining micro‑volatility in market rates and the need to watch SBP reserve trends, inflation readings, and central bank decisions for their impact on consumer prices and borrowing costs.