Which data sources we use
We use primary, official sources for Pakistani data. We do not use rates or rules copied from forums, social media or unnamed aggregators. Where we cannot reach or verify a source, we say so on the page that uses it.
| Source | What it provides | How often it changes | Terms and credit |
|---|---|---|---|
| State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), sbp.org.pk | USD/PKR mark-to-market revaluation rate, weighted average customer exchange rates, policy rate decisions | Exchange rates on SBP business days; policy rate only when the Monetary Policy Committee decides | Credited as "Source: State Bank of Pakistan" |
| SBP EasyData, the SBP data portal and API | Time series for exchange rates, interest rates and other statistics | Depends on the series: some are daily, others are monthly | Account and API key required; data is for information and reference only |
| Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) | Investor warnings, press releases, rules on licensed brokers | Irregular, when SECP publishes | Quoted and linked by name |
| Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) and Pakistan Mercantile Exchange (PMEX) | Lists of licensed brokers | When the exchanges update their lists | Readers should check the live list on the exchange website |
| Published law texts (FERA, Futures Market Act) | Legal rules we refer to | Only when the law is amended | Quoted with the section number given in the official text |
State Bank of Pakistan: exchange rates and policy rate
The SBP publishes the mark-to-market revaluation exchange rate daily, as a PDF on its website. It also publishes weighted average customer exchange rates with bid and offer prices. These are the reference rates we use on SBP exchange rates and Exchange rates.
The SBP website restricts automated access. For that reason, automated retrieval of SBP data goes through EasyData, the SBP data portal. EasyData requires an active user account and an API key. The key expires and has to be regenerated from time to time. The portal also limits how many requests a user can make per hour and per day. EasyData states that its data is "for information and reference purposes only". We credit the SBP as the source.
The policy rate changes only when the Monetary Policy Committee announces a decision. The latest decision we have recorded: SBP policy rate raised by 50 bps to 12% with effect from 27.10.2026 (MPC). Context is on SBP rates and economy.
SECP, PSX and PMEX: regulatory information
The SECP is the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), with trading in listed securities and commodities only via SECP-licensed securities and futures brokers. Per the SECP, lists of licensed brokers are on the PSX and PMEX websites. We do not keep our own copy of these lists, because a copy goes out of date. Check the live list on the exchange website before you deal with any broker.
SECP warnings come as press releases with no fixed schedule. What we have recorded: SECP warnings by press release naming platforms (Quotex 09.04.2025; IBKR look-alikes, IGIL Securities, BMA Capital No.108 etc. 22.05.2025; Hillhouse Capital, S-169 Wharton 13.01.2026), none of which names Exness. The SECP website sometimes blocks automated and some browser access. In those cases we read the archived copy of the same SECP page on the Internet Archive and say so in our notes.
Our summary of these rules is on Law and regulators and Regulation and Safety.
Pakistani law texts
We quote the law texts as published:
- Foreign exchange: per the SBP, remitting foreign exchange to overseas forex/margin/CFD platforms is not allowed through any payment channel (FERA s.5(1)); and per the SBP, the purchase of offshore forex/margin/CFD products by Pakistani residents violates section 4(1) of FERA 1947.
- Futures licensing: under the Futures Market Act 2016, s.47(1), no one may carry on a regulated activity (futures broker, adviser, representative) without an SECP licence.
- Penalty: under the Futures Market Act 2016, s.104(3), operating without a licence carries, for an individual, a fine of up to PKR 250 million or up to 3 years' imprisonment, or both.
Our Futures Market Act text is the version as passed by the Majlis-e-Shoora. We have not checked later amendments, because the official online copies were not reachable. Treat these references as a starting point and not as legal advice.
Weekends, public holidays and late feeds
Weekends and holidays. The SBP does not publish exchange rates on days it is closed. On those days we keep showing the last published rate together with its date. We do not create rates for days the SBP did not publish.
Late or missing feeds. Sometimes a source is late, a file is not where we expect it, or access is blocked. When that happens:
- the last confirmed value stays on the page, with its date;
- we do not fill gaps with estimates or with rates from unofficial sites;
- we update the page once the official figure appears.
Market prices are different. Reference rates from a central bank are not live trading prices. Prices on a trading platform move all the time and can differ from SBP rates. Leveraged forex and CFD trading can lose money fast. See Risk warning.
Errors and corrections
If a figure on this site differs from the official source, the official source is correct. Tell us through the contact details on About us. We correct errors as described in our Editorial policy. Our partnership with Exness does not change which sources we use; details are on Partnership disclosure.
Frequent questions
Why does the rate on your page differ from my bank's rate?
Banks set their own buying and selling rates. SBP reference rates are benchmarks, not the price your bank will give you.
Why is the exchange rate not updated today?
It is probably a weekend or holiday, or the SBP file is late. The date next to the rate shows when it was published.
Do you use ECB or other foreign rates?
This page lists only the sources we currently use for Pakistani data. If we add a source, we will list it here.
Can I reuse your data?
Take it from the official source and follow that source's own terms. EasyData, for example, requires your own account and API key.
How do I check whether a broker is licensed in Pakistan?
Use the live broker lists on the PSX and PMEX websites, as the SECP advises.