The UAE Dirham (AED) and Saudi Riyal (SAR) gained strength in Pakistan’s open market on May 10, 2025, with the buying rate for AED rising to Rs 76.69 and SAR climbing to Rs 75.10. The selling rates followed suit, reaching Rs 77.34 for AED and Rs 75.65 for SAR. Meanwhile, the US Dollar remained stable at Rs 281.65 (buying) and Rs 283.35 (selling).
The uptick in Gulf currency rates comes as remittances from overseas Pakistanis surged by 30.9% in the first ten months of FY2025, totaling 31.2 billion compared to 23.9 billion last year. In April alone, inflows hit 3.2 billion, with major contributions from Saudi Arabia 725.4 million), UAE (657.6 million), UK (535.3 million), and the US ($302.4 million).
Pakistan’s foreign reserves also saw growth, with total liquid reserves reaching 15.48 billion by May 2, 2025. The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) reported a 118 million weekly increase in its reserves, now standing at 10.33 billion, while commercial banks held 5.15 billion.
Key Forex Rates (Open Market, 10 May 2025)
| Currency | Buying (PKR) | Selling (PKR) |
|---|---|---|
| US Dollar (USD) | 281.65 | 283.35 |
| Euro (EUR) | 318.75 | 321.50 |
| UK Pound (GBP) | 375.50 | 379.00 |
| UAE Dirham (AED) | 76.45 | 77.10 |
| Saudi Riyal (SAR) | 74.75 | 75.30 |
Note: Exchange rates vary by location and provider. The Pakistani rupee’s stability reflects improved reserves and robust remittance flows, bolstered by 1.7 million expatriates in the UAE—the second-largest Pakistani diaspora in the Gulf. Economic ties between Pakistan and Gulf nations continue to strengthen, driven by trade, investment, and worker contributions.
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