KARACHI: The downtrend in the Pakistani currency persisted on Thursday and the rupee fell to a fresh all-time low at Rs180.07 against the US dollar in the inter-bank market owing to expectations of an unsustainable current account deficit.

Political temperature heated up after the Opposition parties moved a no-confidence motion, seeking the ouster of Prime Minister Imran Khan. Pakistan and the IMF’s seventh review talks for the release of the next loan tranche remained inconclusive, following the breaches committed by the government on different fronts.

According to data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), the local currency shed Rs0.63 or 0.35% against the greenback to settle at Rs180.07.

Currency dealers indicated that the demand for the greenback was high despite declining oil prices on the international market.

The rupee has maintained a downward trend for the past 10 months. It has lost 18.25% (or Rs27.8) to date, compared to the record high of Rs152.27 recorded in May 2021.

With a fresh decline of 0.35%, the Pakistani rupee has depreciated by 14.3% (or Rs22.53) since the start of the current fiscal year on July 1, 2021, data released by the central bank revealed.

Moreover, mounting external concerns also compelled the domestic currency to lose ground.

Earlier, a broking and investment banking firm in their analysis predicted that the local currency will drop to Rs182.8 against the greenback by June end, down by 2% from current levels.