Doha, June 18, 2025 – The Qatari Riyal (QAR) has edged higher against the Pakistani Rupee (PKR), trading at 77.81 PKR on Wednesday, up from 77.72 PKR on June 14 and 77.39 PKR the previous week, according to regional forex market data.
This modest increase reflects ongoing fluctuations in the currency pair, driven by a mix of economic factors affecting both nations.
Valuation Dynamics
The Qatari Riyal’s valuation is heavily influenced by Qatar’s robust economic stability, underpinned by its vast natural gas and oil exports. The QAR is pegged to the US dollar at a fixed rate of 3.64, which provides a stable anchor but ties its movements indirectly to global USD dynamics. This peg ensures minimal volatility for QAR against other currencies, including the PKR, unless significant shifts occur in the USD or regional markets.
In contrast, the Pakistani Rupee’s value is shaped by domestic economic conditions, including trade balances, inflation, and foreign exchange reserves. Pakistan’s economy often faces volatility due to external debt obligations and fluctuating remittance inflows. The State Bank of Pakistan occasionally intervenes to stabilize the PKR, but market-driven supply and demand dynamics largely dictate its value against currencies like the QAR. Recent data indicates a 28.8% surge in workers’ remittances to Pakistan, reaching nearly $35 billion from July 2024 to May 2025, which has bolstered the PKR to some extent.
The slight appreciation of QAR against PKR this week may be attributed to Qatar’s steady export-driven economy and a marginal weakening of the PKR amid rising global commodity prices, particularly oil, which impacts Pakistan’s import-heavy trade balance. Geopolitical tensions, such as the Israel-Iran conflict, have also spiked oil prices, adding pressure on the PKR.
Currency Rates in Pakistan Today
Economic Impact
The Qatari Riyal’s uptick has implications for trade, remittances, and investment between Qatar and Pakistan. For Pakistani workers in Qatar, a stronger QAR means higher PKR returns when converting their earnings, potentially boosting remittance inflows. In May 2025, overseas Pakistanis sent $3.69 billion in remittances, with significant contributions from Gulf countries like Qatar. This trend supports Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves and household incomes.
However, a stronger QAR could increase the cost of Qatari imports for Pakistan, particularly in energy and construction materials, straining bilateral trade. Pakistani exporters to Qatar, dealing in textiles and agricultural goods, may benefit marginally as their products become relatively cheaper in QAR terms. For investors and businesses, the stable QAR-PKR exchange rate encourages predictable cross-border transactions, though minor fluctuations require close monitoring.
About QAR and PKR
The Qatari Riyal (QAR), symbolized as QR or ر.ق, is Qatar’s official currency, subdivided into 100 dirhams. Managed by the Qatar Central Bank, it is pegged to the US dollar, reflecting Qatar’s wealth as a leading energy exporter. The Pakistani Rupee (PKR), denoted by ₨, is Pakistan’s official currency, subdivided into 100 paisa. Issued by the State Bank of Pakistan, the PKR’s value is influenced by economic policies, inflation, and remittances, often experiencing volatility due to Pakistan’s trade and debt dynamics.
