In an unexpected turn of events, Pakistan's rupee has defied global trends to emerge as the world's best-performing currency for the month of September.
According to the Bloomberg report, a remarkable surge of almost 6% has catapulted the PKR to a seven-week high against the US dollar, with the exchange rate closing at an impressive Rs287.74 against the greenback.
Crack down
The Pakistani rupee's remarkable comeback story can be traced back to a concerted effort by the government to crack down on illegal dollar trading.
This clampdown included operations by the Federal Investigation Agency and the deployment of plainclothes security officials at money exchanges to monitor dollar sales.
Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar has emphasized that this unprecedented gain in the rupee is "fostering optimism for stability."
One of the key factors contributing to this turnaround is the elimination of leakages through illegal channels of hawala and hundi trade, which are common in South Asia.
Regulatory measures
The State Bank of Pakistan has also taken proactive measures to stabilize the currency. These include raising capital requirements for smaller exchange companies and mandating large banks to open their own exchange companies.
These actions are aimed at making the retail foreign exchange market more transparent and easier to monitor.
Glimpse into future
Local research experts are optimistic about the rupee's future trajectory, projecting that it may continue to strengthen to Rs278-280/$ in the current cycle.
The crackdown has effectively eliminated black markets, boosted foreign currency inflows through official channels, and helped stabilize foreign exchange reserves, which now stand at $7.80 billion.
In a world where most currencies are struggling against the US dollar due to expectations of elevated US interest rates, Pakistan's rupee shines as a beacon of hope, illustrating the positive impact of determined government action in stabilizing its currency.
