KARACHI, February 19, 2026, 01:15 PM PKT — The Saudi Riyal (SAR) traded at Rs74.55 against the Pakistani Rupee (PKR) in today’s open market, according to leading currency dealers. The selling rate was quoted around Rs75.12.
This level continues the narrow, range-bound trading pattern observed throughout January and early February, with the Riyal remaining significantly below the 2025 mid-year high of Rs76.03 (July peak) and near the softer levels seen since late October 2025.
Remittance lifeline remains essential
The Saudi Riyal continues to be the single most important monthly income source for millions of Pakistani households. Workers in Saudi Arabia’s construction, healthcare, hospitality and domestic sectors keep remittances flowing reliably. Saudi Arabia retains the top position among remittance-origin countries, contributing $913.3 million in May 2025 alone — the largest single-country inflow. Cumulative remittances from July 2024 to May 2025 reached $34.9 billion, reflecting a strong 28.8% year-on-year increase.
At today’s rate of Rs74.55, every 1,000 Riyals sent home equals Rs74,550. While noticeably lower than the Rs76+ levels recorded earlier in 2025, this rate still provides critical support for school fees, medical treatment, groceries, utility bills and household expenses for a very large number of families.
Economic implications of today’s rate
A Riyal trading around Rs74.50–74.60 produces two-sided effects:
- Remittance-dependent families experience a gradual (but still modest) erosion in real purchasing power amid persistent inflation.
- Importers of Saudi crude, refined products and petrochemicals continue to benefit from lower rupee-denominated costs.
- Pakistan’s trade balance receives some indirect breathing room.
- Foreign exchange reserves (above $11 billion as of late 2024) are still being steadily supported by these inflows, helping the State Bank manage inflation and external debt obligations.
The relatively weaker Rupee also keeps Pakistani exports (rice, textiles, leather, surgical goods, fruits) competitive in global markets.
Quick reference: the two currencies
- Saudi Riyal (SAR) — subdivided into 100 halala, rigidly pegged to the US dollar (≈ 3.75 SAR = 1 USD), managed by SAMA for maximum stability.
- Pakistani Rupee (PKR) — symbol ₨, operates under a managed float supervised by the State Bank of Pakistan, influenced by inflation, trade balance and — most importantly — remittance volumes.
The SAR–PKR pair remains in a fairly tight range. With overseas Pakistani worker outflows still robust and seasonal factors (Hajj/Umrah, year-end bonuses) continuing to support demand, the remittance corridor is expected to stay one of Pakistan’s most dependable economic links. Any meaningful shift would likely require changes in global dollar strength, oil prices or domestic reserve dynamics.