KARACHI/RIYADH, January 2, 2026: The Saudi Riyal (SAR) held steady at Rs74.69 against the Pakistani Rupee (PKR) in today’s open market, unchanged from December 31, 2025, and well below the mid-year high of Rs76.03 seen in July, currency dealers reported.
The selling rate remained at Rs75.26. This calm start to the new year, supported by consistent remittance inflows and balanced market dynamics, highlights the Saudi Riyal’s vital role in Pakistan’s economic landscape.
For millions of Pakistani families, the Saudi Riyal is a financial lifeline, channeling earnings from workers in Saudi Arabia’s construction, healthcare, and hospitality sectors back home. The State Bank of Pakistan reports that Saudi Arabia accounted for $913.3 million of Pakistan’s remittance inflows in May 2025, the largest share. From July 2024 to May 2025, total remittances reached $34.9 billion, a 28.8% increase year-over-year. Today’s rate of Rs74.69 converts 1,000 Saudi Riyals to Rs74,690, unchanged from the previous session, supporting household budgets for essentials like education, medical care, and daily expenses amid rising costs.
The Saudi Riyal’s steady rate of Rs74.69 delivers both immediate and broader effects. For households, this consistency sustains remittance purchasing power, helping families navigate rising living costs. Businesses importing oil and petrochemicals from Saudi Arabia benefit from the Riyal’s dollar-pegged reliability, maintaining predictable import costs and supporting Pakistan’s trade balance. On a macroeconomic level, the Riyal’s performance continues to bolster Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves, which surpassed $11 billion in October 2024, aiding inflation control and debt management. A weaker Rupee enhances export competitiveness, aligning with Pakistan’s economic resilience.
The Saudi Riyal (SAR), divided into 100 halala, is Saudi Arabia’s currency, managed by the Saudi Central Bank and pegged to the US dollar for reliability. This stability makes it a trusted medium for remittances and trade, especially for Pakistanis in the Kingdom. The Pakistani Rupee (PKR), symbolized by ₨, has been Pakistan’s currency since 1948, overseen by the State Bank of Pakistan under a managed floating exchange rate. Its value is shaped by inflation, trade flows, and remittance inflows, with the Riyal-PKR rate reflecting market dynamics.
The Saudi Riyal’s stability at Rs74.69 signals market equilibrium, supported by remittances and trade with Saudi Arabia. Traders and policymakers should remain vigilant, as even small shifts can affect remittances, import costs, and economic strategies. For millions of Pakistanis, the Riyal’s dependable value remains a steady anchor, supporting families and sustaining Pakistan’s economic stability.
Sources: State Bank of Pakistan, Forex Association of Pakistan