Rupee remains stable versus US dollar

• Rupee settles at 223.95 against US dollar in interbank market.
• Local unit lost value in last few sessions but remained within 223 level.
• PBC says expecting rupee to defy gravity is "unrealistic".

KARACHI: The Pakistan’s rupee fell marginally against the US dollar on Monday, depreciating Re0.01 in the interbank market.

The rupee settled at 223.95 against the US dollar compared to its Friday close of 223.94 in the interbank market, according to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).

The rupee lost value in the last few sessions but remained within the 223 level as restrictions imposed over import payments, opening of letters of credit, and foreign-currency carrying limits on travellers meant the currency stayed administratively under control.

Analysts also believe it was a result of negative sentiment that was fanned by the shrinking dollar stash of the country.

However, the local unit is likely to bounce back later this week on expected inflows from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).

The Pakistan Business Council (PBC) in a note posted on their Twitter handle stated that expecting the Pakistani rupee to defy gravity (in view of its depleting forex position) is unrealistic.

“Bolstering rupee through administrative controls renders exports less competitive and imports (even curbed), cheaper. Where is the sense in this when we want the reverse — higher exports?” it said.

Tresmark last week’s client note stated that the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) is expecting external flows from multilateral (such as World Bank, Asian Development Bank, AIIB and others), bilateral and other sources.

However, contrary to the dominant opinion, the platform for treasury markets said that despite some positives, the rupee weakening doesn’t seem to end soon.

The rupee/dollar parity could test previous highs if the pressure on the forex reserves is not eased, it noted.