Workers’ remittances brought Pakistan $14.8 billion from July through October, a 14% year-over-year increase that lifted foreign-currency inflows during the opening months of fiscal 2026-27.
Data released Tuesday by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) showed October transfers of $3.9 billion. That amount was 13.8% above October 2025 and 8.5% higher than September. The four-month total compared with $13 billion during the same span a year earlier.
Saudi Arabia sent $3.668 billion over the four-month period, up 16.5%, making it Pakistan’s largest remittance source for that span. The United Arab Emirates contributed $3.051 billion, an annual increase of 13.5%. In October alone, flows from Saudi Arabia were $981.6 million and from the UAE $815.9 million; the United Kingdom sent $592.2 million and the United States $328.9 million.
Over July through October, remittances from the United Kingdom reached $2.226 billion, up 19.2%, the fastest increase among major sources, Gulf News reported. The outlet said the UAE’s 13.5% rise was below the 15.2% growth recorded in the comparable period a year earlier. EU countries sent $1.866 billion and other Gulf Cooperation Council countries $1.374 billion; U.S. transfers totaled $1.259 billion. Saudi Arabia and the UAE together provided about $6.72 billion, more than 45% of the four-month total. EU remittances in October were $461 million.
Gulf News said remittances help support household incomes, finance imports and strengthen Pakistan’s foreign-exchange position. The outlet also described overseas employment as a source of those inflows while reporting concerns that worker departures may leave fewer skilled people available in Pakistan. It linked migration to Pakistanis seeking better job opportunities abroad.
Gulf News reported that SBP Governor Jameel Ahmad recently announced a $45 billion remittance goal for FY27 after receipts exceeded $41 billion in the previous fiscal year. Based on the $14.8 billion collected through October, Pakistan would need $30.2 billion over the remaining eight months to reach that goal.
