The US dollar started the day cautiously against the Pakistani rupee and later it consolidated its position by gaining 22 paisas in the interbank trading on Friday, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

According to the forex dealers, the greenback scored a gain of 22 paisas and ended the day at Rs221.64.

https://twitter.com/StateBank_Pak/status/1591012598493118464

A day earlier, the US dollar closed the day at Rs221.42 down by 23 paisas.

https://twitter.com/StateBank_Pak/status/1590653905213399041

Meanwhile, the State Bank of Pakistan announced on Friday that the coutnry’s total liquid foreign #reserves held by it  were stood at US$13.72 billion as of November 04, 2022.

https://twitter.com/StateBank_Pak/status/1590935299664019457

The seesaw movement of the US dollar during the last few days came as the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) had reduced exchange limits for air travel, and for overseas payments through debit or credit cards. The bank had reviewed the existing foreign currency cash-carrying limits for travel purposes and decided to further rationalize the same.

As per the revised limits individuals with age 18 years and above (adults) can now take out of Pakistan foreign currency (FCY) equivalent to USD5,000 per visit, while those below the age of 18 years (minors) can carry out FCY equivalent to USD2,500 per visit.

Further, the annual ceiling to take out FCY for adults and minors shall be USD30,000 and USD15,000, respectively.

For taking out foreign currencies by persons traveling to Afghanistan, the existing limits prescribed earlier as per SBP Notification no. F.E 2/2021-SB dated October 06, 2021 shall remain unchanged 

Per visit limits will be applicable immediately, while the annual limits will be applicable from January 1, 2023. 

The notification announcing the revised cash-carrying limits can be accessed at the following link:

In addition, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has observed that debit/credit cards are being used for transactions, which are not aligned with the profile of the individual or are intended for commercial purpose.

Therefore, SBP has advised banks to ensure that the use of debit/credit cards for international transactions is aligned with the profile of card holders and for their personal needs only. Besides, an annual limit of USD30,000 has been prescribed for individuals for international transactions.

It is emphasized that the purpose of debit/credit cards is to facilitate individuals in making payments for transactions that are of personal nature.

The limits on these cards as well as payments through them, both domestic and international, should therefore be aligned with the profile of the card holder.

It shall be the responsibility of a customer to ensure that his/ her annual limit is not breached at any time.

However, banks are required to monitor these limits on consolidated basis for each individual.

As regards use of cards for cross border transactions for meeting legitimate business-related needs, a framework for acquisition of digital services is already available in Para 14A, in External Relations Department Chapter 14 of the Foreign Exchange Manual, in terms of which entities intending to acquire digital services can designate a bank to use this facility as per respective limits defined in the said framework.

Besides, a general framework for acquisition of services by firms and companies has been given in Para 11, Chapter 14 of Foreign Exchange Manual.

Reporter Ashraf Khan