The US dollar has shown no signs of sliding as it is constantly on the upward trajectory in the interbank trading during last seven sessions, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
According to money dealers, in the trading session on Monday the US dollar appreciated by 49 paisas ending the day at Rs223.66.
Interbank closing #ExchangeRate for todayhttps://t.co/4K9Da6FI3D pic.twitter.com/ntVUTgs9CZ
— SBP (@StateBank_Pak) November 21, 2022
On Friday, the greenback was closed at Rs223.17 as the rupee suffered a depreciation by 0.22%.
Interbank closing #ExchangeRate for todayhttps://t.co/3xXXHBazKH pic.twitter.com/BdIqrUIhDe
— SBP (@StateBank_Pak) November 18, 2022
Despite repeated assurances by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and other government officials, the market has remained jittery over the default risk perceptions measured by the 5-year credit default swap which was jumped from 56.5pc to above 75pc on Wednesday, depleting forex reserves, postponement of ninth performance review of IMF $7 billion bailout package and a persistent political uncertainty in the country.
To soothe the market nerves, Dar held a press conference via video link on Saturday. He said there were rumours that the country would not be able to pay $1bn on December 5 against the maturity of five-year sukuk, or Islamic bonds. But we have never defaulted before and we will not even be close to default, he said adding that the bond would be paid and there will be no delay in this and even arrangements had been made in principal for upcoming payments in the next year.
The SBP officials have also been issuing statements assuring about country’s ability to meet the international financial obligations.
A few days ago, SBP Governor Jameel Ahmad told reporters that the foreign exchange reserves were enough to repay all dollar-denominated international loans on time.
The central bank on Friday said that the total liquid reserves held by the country stood at $13.80 billion as of Nov 11, 2022.
Total liquid foreign #reserves held by the country stood at US$ 13.80 billion as of November 11, 2022. For details: https://t.co/WpSgomnd3v pic.twitter.com/HBV59QCzgU
— SBP (@StateBank_Pak) November 18, 2022
The State Bank also stated today that country’s Current Account Deficit (CAD) was reduced owing to continuous decline in imports.
2/2 During Jul-Oct 2022, CAD was $2.8 billion (against $5.3 billion) as imports reduced by $2.7 billion (or 11.6%) and exports increased by $0.2 billion (or 2.6%) compared to Jul-Oct 2021.https://t.co/Od8ikVdOd5
— SBP (@StateBank_Pak) November 21, 2022