Entertainment
Ramadan, Eid remittances to keep rupee stable
- Interbank rate stays range-bound through the week.
- IMF review talks begin under EFF and RSF.
- Remittances rise year-on-year, dip month-on-month.
KARACHI: The Pakistani rupee is expected to stay stable and may strengthen slightly in the near term, supported by seasonal remittance inflows during Ramadan and ahead of Eid, The News reported, citing a report released on Saturday.
The currency traded in a tight band in the interbank market this week, closing at 279.55 to the dollar on Monday and at 279.47 on Friday.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) team began talks with Pakistani authorities on Wednesday for the third review under the $7 billion Extended Financing Facility (EFF) and the second review of the $1.1 billion Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF).
Upon successful completion, Pakistan would become eligible by the end of April for about $1 billion under the EFF and an additional $200 million under the RSF.
The geopolitical situation has worsened as the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran, plunging the region into a new conflict.
The rupee has appreciated by approximately 60 paisa since the beginning of the year, said Tresmark, a platform that provides live financial rates, in a client note. While this increase is modest on its own, it is more significant when considering the broader context, it said.
The rupee has strengthened despite several challenges, including rising geopolitical risks and US posturing in the region, escalating tensions along the western border, isolated internal security incidents, Brent crude prices trading above $72 a barrel, a steady decline in exports, a widening trade deficit, tariff pressures and a persistent inflation differential with the US.
“Seasonal remittance inflows around Ramadan and Eid are likely to keep the rupee well bid in the near term,” the Tresmark’s report said.
“That said, most economists argue that further appreciation offers limited structural benefit, which makes the recent firmness somewhat counterintuitive,” it added.
Pakistan’s remittances rose 15.4% year-on-year (YoY) in January to $3.5 billion. However, these flows dropped 4% on a month-on-month (MoM) basis. Remittances increased 11.3% to $23.2 billion in the first seven months of the fiscal year 2026.
“Premiums have marginally improved. If costing is tight, exporters should opt for forwards, as rupee outlook continues to look stable to slightly stronger,” it said.
According to the report, the rupee’s stability is not isolated. Several high-carry or reform-backed EM currencies have also held firm despite geopolitical noise, including the Egyptian pound, Thai baht, South African rand, Brazilian real, Mexican peso, and Indonesian rupiah.
Bryan Cranston has delivered a sharp dig at Shia LaBeouf after his Malcolm in the Middle co-star Frankie Muniz revealed he had been set to star in Holes before dropping out, with Cranston’s advice to LaBeouf cutting right to the point.
In a new Esquire video interview, Muniz, 40, told Cranston he had been attached to play the lead role of Stanley Yelnats in Disney’s 2003 film before a competing offer arrived.
“I was signed to be in the movie Holes, and it was 100% about to start filming and then Cody Banks was greenlit,” he explained.
“They were like, ‘Which one do you want to do?'” Muniz chose Agent Cody Banks, despite pressure from those around him to take the more dramatic role.
LaBeouf stepped in and the rest is history, Holes helped launch his career.
Muniz was reflective about the road not taken.
“I wonder what my career or life would’ve been [had I done Holes instead]. What could’ve come with it? Would I have been taken more seriously as an actor?”
Cranston’s response was instant.
“You could’ve had Shia LaBeouf’s life,” he said with a sarcastic scoff and a whistle, before adding: “Keep that one in. Shia, get some help!”
The comment lands with weight given LaBeouf’s recent history.
Just last month, the actor was arrested in New Orleans after getting into a fight during Mardi Gras. LaBeouf’s troubles predate the New Orleans incident.
He was court-ordered to attend rehab following a 2017 arrest in Georgia for public intoxication, and a lawsuit filed against him by FKA Twigs alleging sexual battery, assault and infliction of emotional distress was settled last July.
Muniz, meanwhile, appears to have made peace with his decision, noting that his path led him back to Malcolm in the Middle and, eventually, a very different kind of life as a NASCAR driver.
Khloé Kardashian opened up about her single life and said she feels really happy and at peace on her own.
The reality star, who split from Tristan Thompson in 2021, spoke on her podcast Khloe in Wonder Land and shared that she is not in any rush to date again.
Khloé shared that life feels much calmer now and she is focused more on herself and her children.
The mother of two went on to open up about her past relationships and shared that she does not miss the stress that came with them, explaining things feel safer and lighter for her now.
She continued adding that she would rather put her energy into her kids and work instead of thinking about dating.
The Kardashians star also mentioned that her health and routine have improved since being single, sharing she sleeps better and feels more fresh and balanced in her day to day life.
Kim Kardashian sister then said that her children, True and Tatum, are her biggest focus and she also enjoys growing her business projects.
Khloé Kardashian concluded saying that she is simply enjoying her life as it is right now and is not really thinking about relationships.
For her, this phase feels peaceful and enough on its own.
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