The UK Pound Sterling (GBP) demonstrated remarkable stability against the Pakistani Rupee (PKR) during the week ending May 23, 2026, with only minor fluctuations recorded in Pakistan’s open market. According to data from exchange houses, the pound remained largely unchanged, closing the week at Rs. 372.91 for buying and Rs. 378.10 for selling.
The week began on May 18 with the GBP trading at Rs. 372.17 for buying and Rs. 377.30 for selling. It saw a slight uptick on May 19, reaching the week’s highest levels at Rs. 373.82 (buying) and Rs. 379.32 (selling). This brief spike was attributed to increased demand from importers and corporate payments. However, the pound quickly stabilized, trading consistently at Rs. 373.10 for buying and Rs. 378.60 for selling on May 20 and May 21. The final two sessions of the week, May 22 and May 23, saw the rate tighten further to Rs. 372.91 for buying and Rs. 378.10 for selling, reflecting balanced supply and demand conditions.
Market analysts attribute the pound’s stability to steady remittance inflows from the Pakistani diaspora in the United Kingdom, which remain a key source of foreign exchange for Pakistan. The foreign exchange market also faced limited volatility due to balanced demand from importers and seasonal travel-related purchases. The GBP remains one of the most traded currencies in Pakistan’s open market, driven by strong ties in business, education, and travel between the two countries.
The weekly performance underscores the resilience of the Pakistani rupee against the pound, aided by a stable current account and improved foreign reserves. Analysts expect the GBP-PKR parity to remain range-bound in the near term, barring any major global or domestic economic shocks.
Source: ARY News