AED, SAR and GBP to PKR: How to Read Exchange Rates and Send Money Home Cheaper
One guide covers all three currencies because the rules and the method are the same for dirhams, riyals and pounds. Each currency has its own short section below.
Three rates, three meanings
| Rate | Who uses it | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| Interbank rate | Banks trading with each other | The market price. SBP says the rate is "determined by market demand and supply" and banks are free to quote their own buying and selling rates. |
| Open market rate | Exchange companies (cash counters) | What you get for cash notes. There is a buying rate (they buy your dirhams) and a selling rate (they sell you dirhams). |
| Remittance rate | Your bank, exchange house or app abroad | The rate applied to your transfer. It can include a margin, and some providers add a fee. |
Reading buy and sell: if you are changing AED cash into rupees at a counter, look at the buying rate. The selling rate is for people buying foreign currency.
Where to check today's rate officially
- SBP Economic Data page (sbp.org.pk/economic-data). Under "Exchange Rates" SBP lists daily datasets, including the Mark-to-Market Revaluation Exchange Rate, Weighted Average Customer Exchange Rates, Open Market Closing Exchange Rates and Conversion Rates.
- Open Market Closing Exchange Rates. SBP publishes them, but the figures are provided by the Exchange Companies Association of Pakistan (ECAP) and SBP marks them "for information only". The list covers USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, AED and SAR.
- Your provider's own screen. This is the only rate that applies to your actual transfer.
Newspapers also print open market rates "supplied by the Forex Association of Pakistan". Those are useful for a quick check, but they are not an SBP publication.
Dirham, riyal and pound: what is different?
AED (UAE)
- AED is on SBP's open market list.
- Naya Pakistan Certificates can be bought in AED. See NPC rates 2026.
- Carrying cash? The UAE asks you to declare above AED 60,000. See cash limits.
SAR (Saudi Arabia)
- SAR is on SBP's open market list.
- NPCs are also sold in SAR.
- Saudi Arabia asks travellers to declare cash, gold or jewellery worth SR 40,000 or more.
GBP (UK)
- GBP is on SBP's open market list.
- NPCs are sold in GBP too.
- From the UK most people send by bank transfer or app, so compare the rupee amount received, not just the rate.
What changes the cost of sending money
- The exchange-rate margin. The gap between the provider's rate and the market rate. It is often the biggest hidden cost.
- The fee. Some providers charge one; for eligible transfers to Pakistani banks, the Pakistani side must stay free (see below).
- Amount. The free-transfer rule only applies from USD 200 (or equivalent) per transaction.
- Channel. Bank account, mobile wallet or cash pickup can give different rates. For wallets, see how to send money to JazzCash or Easypaisa from abroad.
- Speed. Instant transfers sometimes cost more than standard ones.
Simple test: ask two or three providers "how many rupees will arrive for 1,000 dirhams (or riyals, or pounds)?" The highest number wins, whatever the advertised rate.
Free transfers: what the rules say now
| Scheme | What happened | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Reimbursement of TT Charges Scheme | Minimum eligible transaction raised to USD 200; exchange companies included | From 1 July 2025 (EPD Circular Letter 04 of 2025) |
| Same scheme (TTCIS) | Government reimbursement discontinued, but banks must keep eligible home remittances free of cost for senders and beneficiaries | From 1 July 2026 (EPD Circular Letter 12 of 2026) |
| Pasban Remittance Reward Scheme | Prize draws for people receiving remittances in a bank account: USD 100 or more (equivalent) each month for three months in a row in a quarter. One entry per USD 100 | Launched 25 September 2026 (SBP press release) |
SBP's circular binds banks, microfinance banks and exchange companies in Pakistan. A money transfer company abroad is outside it and may set its own fee or rate margin, so ask before you send.
Pakistan Remittance Initiative (PRI)
PRI was launched in 2009 by the Ministry of Finance, SBP and the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis. It works for faster, cheaper remittances, runs a dedicated "PRI Channel" with partner institutions, and has a call centre for remittance complaints. Details are on SBP's Home Remittance page.
PRI also warns against hundi/hawala. Informal channels give no protection and do not count for schemes like Pasban.
The older Sohni Dharti points scheme no longer gives points for new remittances. If you earned points before July 2026, see how to redeem Sohni Dharti points before 30 June 2027.
Related: Roshan Digital Account banks · Naya Pakistan Certificates 2026 · Cash limits at the airport
Frequently asked questions
Where can I see the official AED to PKR rate today?
On SBP's Economic Data page, under Exchange Rates. The Open Market Closing Exchange Rates list includes AED, SAR and GBP. The figures come from the Exchange Companies Association of Pakistan and SBP publishes them for information only.
Why is my bank's rate different from the open market rate?
They are different markets. Exchange companies quote cash buying and selling rates. Your bank or app applies its own remittance rate, which can include a margin.
Is sending money to Pakistan free?
Under SBP's circular, eligible home remittances of USD 200 or more (or equivalent) must stay free of cost for senders and beneficiaries, even after the reimbursement scheme ended on 1 July 2026. Ask your provider abroad about its own fees.
What is the Pasban scheme?
A prize scheme by Pakistani banks, launched on 25 September 2026. If your family receives USD 100 or more (or equivalent) in a bank account each month for three months in a row in a quarter, they get entries in a prize draw.
Should I use hundi?
No. It is an informal channel with no protection. Formal channels also count for free-transfer and reward schemes.
Sources
- SBP — Exchange Rate Regime and FX Reserve Management Market-based flexible exchange rate; banks free to quote own rates Official
- SBP — Economic Data Exchange Rates: M2M, Weighted Average Customer, Open Market Closing, Conversion Rates (daily) Official
- SBP — ECAP Open Market Closing Exchange Rates (sample PDF, 30 June 2025) Format: buying/selling for USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, AED, SAR; "provided by ECAP ... for information only" Official
- SBP — EPD Circular Letter No. 04 of 2025 30 June 2025: minimum eligible transaction USD 200; exchange companies included; from 1 July 2025 Official
- SBP — EPD Circular Letter No. 12 of 2026 2 July 2026: TTCIS discontinued from 1 July 2026; eligible remittances stay free of cost Official
- SBP press release — Pasban Remittance Reward Scheme 25 September 2026: eligibility and entry rules Official
- SBP — Home Remittance and Pakistan Remittance Initiative PRI launched 2009; PRI Channel; call centre Official
Estimate and information only, not legal or tax advice. Customs and FBR make the final decision. Spotted a rule change? Tell us.