Remittances sent home by Pakistanis overseas rose 19.53 percent to $5.319 billion in the first 10 months of the 2007/08 (July-June) fiscal year, the central bank's chief spokesman said on Thursday.

"Home remittances have increased to $5.319 billion from July to April from $4.450 billion in the corresponding period the previous year," said State Bank of Pakistan spokesman Syed Wasimuddin.

The rupee <PKR=PK> has been under pressure because of increased demand for dollars from importers, particularly for oil payments as a result of rising international prices.

The rupee was quoted at 68.70/69.25 to the dollar at the close on Thursday compared with a record closing low of 69.40/60 struck on May 9.