KARACHI: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) reported that overseas Pakistani workers sent $26.50 billion in remittances during the first eight months (July to February) of the current fiscal year 2025-26. This represents a 10.5% increase compared to $23.98 billion received during the same period last year.
In February 2026, remittances amounted to $3.25 billion, slightly lower than $3.46 billion in January 2026, but higher than $3.13 billion in February 2025. The SBP noted that major inflows originated from the United Arab Emirates ($696.2 million), Saudi Arabia ($685.5 million), United Kingdom ($532 million), and the United States ($319.5 million).
The monthly average of remittances currently stands at $3.31 billion. If this trend continues, Pakistan could receive an additional $13.25 billion over the remaining four months of the fiscal year, bringing the total workers’ remittances close to $40 billion for FY2025-26.
However, the SBP cautioned that ongoing geopolitical tensions, particularly the US-Iran conflict, could affect remittance inflows. Any escalation in the Gulf region, especially impacting Saudi Arabia, may influence the financial contributions of overseas workers during the final months of the fiscal year.
Analysts say that workers’ remittances remain a key pillar of Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves, helping stabilize the balance of payments, support domestic consumption, and provide crucial funding for imports. They emphasized that continued political stability in Gulf countries and economic policies encouraging remittances could sustain this positive trend.
The SBP continues to monitor monthly inflows closely, urging policymakers and financial institutions to facilitate smooth channels for remittance transfers to maintain the country’s economic resilience.
