ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday praised overseas Pakistanis after workers’ remittances hit a record $41.6 billion in fiscal year 2025-26, calling the surge a sign of expatriate confidence in the government’s economic management.
In a statement, Sharif thanked Pakistanis abroad for sending home $41.6 billion during the fiscal year, an 8.6% increase from $38.3 billion in 2024-25.
“Patriotic overseas Pakistanis sent $41.6 billion in remittances during fiscal year 2025-26, for which we are deeply grateful,” he said.
Describing overseas Pakistanis as “our valuable asset,” the prime minister said their contributions were indispensable to the national economy and that the nation took pride in their enduring commitment to the country.
“The 8.6% increase in remittances reflects the confidence of overseas Pakistanis in the government’s policies,” Sharif said, adding that protecting the welfare and interests of expatriate Pakistanis would remain a top priority for his administration.
According to data released by the State Bank of Pakistan, workers’ remittances totaled $3.5 billion in June, up 2% from a year earlier but down 18.3% from May, reflecting a seasonal slowdown after elevated inflows in previous months.
The central bank said cumulative remittances reached an all-time high of $41.6 billion during fiscal year 2025-26, surpassing the previous year’s $38.3 billion.
Saudi Arabia remained the largest source of remittances in June, with Pakistani workers sending home $829.6 million. The United Arab Emirates followed with $792.2 million, while inflows from the United Kingdom totaled $514.9 million and those from the United States reached $296.8 million, according to the central bank.
Pakistan is among the world’s largest recipients of workers’ remittances, with millions of its citizens employed overseas, particularly in the Gulf. The money they send home has long served as a crucial source of foreign exchange, helping support household incomes and cushion the country’s external finances during periods of economic strain.
Saudi Arabia, home to the largest concentration of Pakistani workers abroad, has consistently been the single biggest source of remittance inflows.
