KARACHI: The dollar ended slightly higher in the interbank market due to demand by corporate sector for payments abroad. The greenback gained five paisas to close at Rs 110.35 for buying and Rs 110.55 for selling. The difference of the dollar rates between the interbank and kerb markets shrunk to 30 paisas from 50 paisas a day earlier. Dollar could not rise sharply despite demand from the corporate sector, as State Bank of Pakistan paid an oil import bill. The magnitude of the payment could not be ascertained. Banks made payments worth $5 million to $6 million against a supply of $7 million to $7.5 million. Rupee is likely to remain stable for some time as a result of measures taken by the central bank recently. But it would not be able to sustain pressure of widening trade deficit for too long. The euro rose 35 paisas to close at Rs 136.74 for buying and Rs 136.94 for selling. The pound sterling shed 54 paisas to close at Rs 154.46 and Rs 154.66 for buying and selling respectively. Kerb Market: The rupee ended flat in the open currency market owing to more inflow of dollar from abroad. The dollar closed at Rs 111.70 for buying and Rs 111.90 for selling. It remained flat in the open market. The pound sterling closed at Rs 155.50 for buying and Rs 155.70 for selling, it lost 50 paisas against the rupee. The euro closed at Rs 138 for buying and Rs 138.20 for selling. It stood even in value. Published in Daily Times, February 8th 2018.