The Islamic Republic of Pakistan has on its borders Afghanistan, Iran and India. Its main exports are textiles, rice and leather goods. Recently, the country has been rocked by a series of political violence and unrest. Tension continues to fester between India and Pakistan. This creates a general sense of unease. The nearby presence of Afghanistan does little alleviate the problem. The currency of Pakistan is the rupee. The rupee consists of 100 paisa. The symbol of the rupee is the RS.
History
The history of Pakistani currency begins in the 4th century. Even then, its money had close links with the developments in India. The early centuries saw the arrival of money from Afghanistan, possible manufactured in Pakistan and Greek silver coins. By the 2nd century B.C., copper coins, similar in style to the punch-marked silver began to circulate as well as copper cast coins. Near the end of this century, however, silver coins made their way into the Upper Indus area and the Punjab. The kings issued coinage with royal portraits and both their name and titles in Greek. On the reverse, the same material appeared in Indian inscriptions. Coins also bore divine portraits and depictions of animals and sacred objects.
The Scythians ceased control of the Greek Kingdom of Pakistan in the 1st century B.C. The new king created a new style of coin. It featured Greek and Indian inscriptions but lacked the ruler’s head. The Greeks regained control, but lost it again to the Scythians in 57 B.C. The Scythian King, Azes I, had Greek and Kharosthi inscriptions and designs. The coin featured a mounted king and not a portrait. The next dynasty, the Parthians, followed suit. Their successors, however, used an Iranian design with a Greek inscription and sporting Nike, the Greek Goddess of Victory.
The Hushans absorbed the Parthian Kingdom late in the 1st century A.D. They imitated the Parthian and Scythian coins for a while until they created their own design. The new coins feature a seated or standing king. In the northern part of the Empire, the Sasanians rulers of Iran ceased control. This resulted in the decline of the Kushian currency, debasing it. The Hun nomads, when they invaded continued to issue coinage similar in design to those of their predecessors. In turn, the Turkish nomads ousted the Huns. They initially continued to follow the pattern of previous reigns. Yet, in the 8th century, they began to circulate coins clearly Turkish in design. These featured horsemen or bulls.
The
Muslim invaders introduced tiny silver coins in trading areas of
Pakistan. Mahmud of Ghazna (997-1030) issued a curious silver coin at
Lahore. On one side is the usual Arabic inscription; on the other side
is an Indian Nagari inscription with Sanskrit translations of the
Islamic proclamation, date and name of the mint. In 1150, another
Afghan dynasty, the Ghorids, issued Islamic coins with the bull and an
inscription and horsemen.
The Sultans of Delhi, based in Delhi,
produced money with only Islamic inscriptions. These were larger in
size and had a square frame around the central inscription. These coins
remained in use until the 16th century.
During the 18th and 19th centuries, the Afghans and the British had stakes in Pakistan. Some coins resembled those in Afghanistan, with a lion motif; some were Sikh, while others conformed to a British standard. The British standard triumphed in the early 19th century before Pakistan gained Independence.
Pakistan became an independent country in 1947. Its coinage consisted of 1 rupee equals 32 pice. The decimal system of 1961 set the relation as 1 rupee 100 paisa. Today, after the addition of further coins and banknotes, the currency consists of 1, 2 and 5 rupee coins and 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000 and 5000 rupee banknotes.
Obtaining Pakistani Rupees
You can exchange your own currency at all international airports. Banks may also help out with obtaining Pakistani rupees. There are also money exchange offices in the country. They are not, however, common in the rural areas and small towns.
Protecting Your Currency
Petty crime such as purse snatching and pickpocketing are common in certain places in the country. In Karachi, the crimes are more violent. Urban centers are also home to armed robbery and car jacking. Avoid such situations whenever possible. Take the usual precautions to prevent petty crimes.
Using Your Pakistani Rupees
You will need Pakistani rupees in many ways. It is required to buy meals in restaurants and goods in shops and the bazaars. In smaller towns and villages, local cash is your only way to purchase everything from a room in a hotel to a meal to transportation. Make sure the money is not tattered. Tattered money and large notes may cause some consternation and lead to refusal. Always carry smaller notes to pay for those purchases. Use rupees to purchase souvenirs and gifts. Bargain in bazaars for brass crafts, ceramics, gold and silver jewelry, embroidered cloth and marble pottery. Consider purchasing traditional shawls, carpets and leather garments.
Travel Tips and Warnings
- In Pakistan, the security situation is very fragile unrest and acts of terrorism can flare without warning.
- You may not be able or want to go to various insecure or questionable areas. These include many of the border regions particularly Kashmir, the province of Balochistan, the Northwest Frontier Province and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas.
- Do not travel after twilight in rural regions. Road conditions are unsafe.
- Overland travel to Sindh Province may require police permission and help.
- This is an Islamic country. Respect its laws, customs and traditions.
- Weather factors include earthquakes, floods and monsoons.
- Go trekking, if it is safe, in Northern Pakistan where you can see the Himalayas, the Karakoram and the Hindu Kush mountain ranges.
- The Khyber Pass is a must-see if you can get near the Afghanistan border.
- Wander through the ruins of the ancient Indus valley civilization of Moenjo Daro.
- Visit the tombs of Uch Sharif
- Take a camel safari.
- Visit the shrine of Saidan Shahat Choa Saidan Sha, the Kindar Complex atKatas and Kallar Kahar Lake.
- Go to Islamabad and see the remains of the Mankiala Stupa or go to Kirthar National Park.
Overview
Pakistan is an Asian country with severe social, economic and political problems. It currently is facing political unrest.
Currency Summary
Current currency: rupee
100 paisa equal 1 rupee
Coins: 1, 2 and 5 rupees
Banknotes: 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000 and 5000 rupees