Remittances to Pakistan increased by 14% in July-September 2026 compared to the same period last year, reaching $10.9 billion. The UK saw the highest growth among major sending countries with a 19.4% increase, while Saudi Arabia remained the largest source at $2.686 billion, up 16.2%. Despite these positive trends, remittance inflows declined slightly by 1.9% in September compared to August.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-10,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
In the first quarter of fiscal year 2027 (July-September), workers' remittances in Pakistan increased by 14% compared to the same period last year, totaling $10.9 billion, according to data from the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). However, there was a slight decrease of 1.9% in September 2026 compared to August 2026, with remittances recorded at $3.6 billion for that month. The United Kingdom showed the highest growth among major sources, with inflows rising by 19.4%, while Saudi Arabia remained the largest source, contributing $2.686 billion. Despite concerns about the seven-month Gulf war affecting remittance flows, Pakistan's economy continues to benefit from these significant inflows, which are crucial for supporting the national economy and helping the government aim to achieve its annual target of $44 billion in remittances for fiscal year 2027. However, the impact on the broader economy is constrained by Pakistan’s rising trade deficit, which offsets some of the benefits from these inflows.
Written for “Remittances Increase” on 2026-10-10,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
• UK records the highest growth among major sources, with inflows rising 19.4pc
• Saudi Arabia remains the largest source, contributing $2.686 billion
KARACHI:
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Arabia → record → billion
Workers’ remittances increased by 14 per cent in the first quarter of FY27 compared with the same period of the previous fiscal year, according to data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Friday.
uncertain
remittances → increase → Friday
However, remittance inflows declined slightly by 1.9 per cent in September compared with August of the same year.
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inflows → decline → year
The growth trend could help the government achieve its annual remittance target of $44 billion for FY27.
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government → help → FY27
“Workers’ remittances were recorded at $3.6 billion during September 2026.
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remittances → record → September
In terms of growth, remittances increased by 12.7pc on a year-on-year basis and decreased by 1.9pc on a month-on-month basis,” the SBP said.
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SBP → increase → basis
The seven-month Gulf war did not appear to have significantly affected remittance inflows, despite earlier concerns.
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war → appear → concerns
Millions of Pakistanis have been working in Gulf countries for years, making their remittances a major source of support for the national economy.
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remittances → work → economy
Remittances continue to exceed export earnings, despite what the government describes as incentives for exporters.
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government → continue → exporters
Exporters, however, dispute this assessment, arguing that heavy taxation has weakened the export sector.
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taxation → dispute → sector
The latest data show that workers’ remittances rose by 14pc to $10.9 billion during the first quarter of FY27, compared with $9.5bn received in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year.
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remittances → show → year
The increase provides some relief to the government as Pakistan continues to face economic challenges and seeks to meet the conditions attached to its International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme.
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Pakistan → provide → programme
The IMF pushes for sustainable economic growth but appears less concerned about the resulting increase in poverty.
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IMF → push → poverty
Meanwhile, the World Bank said this week that 48pc of Pakistan’s population lives below the poverty line, despite the country’s adherence to IMF guidelines.
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48pc → say → guidelines
However, the impact of remittance growth on the broader economy remains constrained by Pakistan’s rising trade deficit, which offsets some of the benefits of these inflows, including their contribution to the external account.
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which → constrain → account
UK remittances up 19.4pc
Among major sources of remittances, inflows from the United Kingdom recorded the highest growth rate, rising by 19.4pc to $1.643bn during July-September FY27 compared with the same period last year.
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inflows → record → period
Saudi Arabia remained the largest source of remittances, with inflows reaching $2.686bn, representing growth of 16.2pc during the quarter.
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inflows → remain → quarter
Remittance inflows from almost all major destinations recorded positive growth during the first quarter of FY27.
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inflows → record → FY27
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) contributed $2.23bn, marking an increase of 12.6pc.
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Emirates → contribute → 12.6pc
Inflows from European Union countries amounted to $1.4bn, up 9.8pc, while Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, excluding Saudi Arabia and the UAE, contributed $1bn, representing growth of 11.7pc.
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countries → amount → 11.7pc
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