By Staff Reporter
KARACHI: Remittances from overseas workers into Pakistan rose to $3.4 billion in October, up nearly 12% from a year earlier, central bank data showed on Friday, as inflows from key markets including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates helped bolster the country’s external accounts.
The inflows marked a 7% increase from $3.2 billion in September, according to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). For the first four months of the fiscal year that started in July, remittances reached $12.9 billion, a 9.3% jump from $11.9 billion in the same period a year ago.
Remittances play a significant role in supporting the country’s external account, stimulating Pakistan’s economic activity, and supplementing the disposable incomes of remittance-dependent households. The government promotes remittances through incentives and formal channels to sustain steady growth and ensure their role in economic stability.
In a statement, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed gratitude to overseas Pakistanis for the rise in remittances during October. “The gradual increase in remittances reflects the confidence of overseas Pakistanis in the government’s policies,” he said, adding that they are the country’s most valuable asset.
Back in August, SBP noted that since 2009, the Pakistan Remittance Initiative (PRI) has been working towards the enhancement of home remittances through formal channels in Pakistan. As a result of active engagements with financial institutions (FIs), the number of FIs on the PRI network has increased from around 25 in 2009 to more than 50 in 2024. The FIs include conventional banks, Islamic banks, microfinance banks, and Exchange Companies (ECs).
Further, the Electronic Money Institutions (EMIs) are also allowed to receive home remittances by working through the banks. The number of international entities has increased from around 45 in 2009 to around 400 at present.
Overseas Pakistanis in Saudi Arabia remitted the largest amount in October 2025 as they sent $821 million during the month. The amount was up 9% on a monthly basis, and 7% higher than the $767 million sent by the expatriates in the same month of the previous year. Inflows from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) rose by 12% on a yearly basis, from $621 million to $698 million in October 2025.
Remittances from the United Kingdom (UK) amounted to $488 million during October 2025, up by 7% compared to $455 million in September 2025. YoY inflows from the UK were up by 13%.Overseas Pakistanis in the US sent $290 million in October 2025, a YoY decrease of 4%, but up 8% on a monthly basis. Meanwhile, remittances from European Union (EU) countries clocked in at $457 million in October, recording a significant increase of 27% on a yearly basis.
Copyright © 2021 Independent Pakistan | All rights reserved
