Karachi, June 16, 2025 — The Kuwaiti Dinar (KWD) has surged to a new high of 924.24 Pakistani Rupees (PKR) today, marking another milestone in its steady climb over the past week.
This sharp appreciation reflects deepening imbalances in foreign exchange supply and demand dynamics in Pakistan amid broader regional and global economic pressures.
Steady Climb Over One Week
The Kuwaiti Dinar has seen a consistent upward trajectory against the rupee since early June. On June 10, KWD was trading at 919.67 PKR, rising to 922.06 PKR just three days later on June 13. By Saturday, June 14, it had crossed 924 PKR, and maintained that level into Sunday’s trade. Analysts attribute this movement to persistent dollar scarcity, seasonal remittance flows, and geopolitical stability in the Gulf region.
Understanding the Valuation Mechanism
The value of the Kuwaiti Dinar is pegged to a basket of currencies by the Central Bank of Kuwait, ensuring relative stability and strength. In contrast, the Pakistani Rupee operates under a managed float regime, where its value fluctuates based on market forces of supply and demand, with occasional interventions from the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).
With Pakistan continuing to grapple with low foreign exchange reserves and high import bills, the rupee remains vulnerable. Meanwhile, Kuwait benefits from strong oil revenues and sovereign wealth funds, bolstering confidence in its currency.
Economic Impact on Pakistan
The soaring value of the Kuwaiti Dinar has significant implications for Pakistan, especially for small businesses, traders, and individuals sending or receiving money from the Gulf. Importers purchasing goods priced in dinars face higher costs, which could feed into inflationary pressures domestically.
Moreover, overseas Pakistanis working in Kuwait are sending more valuable remittances home, offering some relief to the country’s balance of payments. However, the widening gap between official and open-market exchange rates continues to raise concerns among policymakers.
About the Kuwaiti Dinar (KWD) and Pakistani Rupee (PKR)
The Kuwaiti Dinar (KWD) is the official currency of Kuwait, introduced in 1961. It is subdivided into 1,000 fils or 100 piastres. Widely considered the world’s highest-valued currency unit, KWD consistently ranks as one of the strongest currencies globally due to Kuwait’s robust economy driven by oil exports.
The Pakistani Rupee (PKR) is the national currency of Pakistan, subdivided into 100 paisa or 1,000 halalah. Issued and controlled by the State Bank of Pakistan, the rupee has faced depreciation pressure in recent years due to macroeconomic instability, political uncertainty, and external debt obligations.
