Excerpt: Pakistan received $3.5 billion in overseas remittances in April 2026, with the UAE the second-largest contributor.
Pakistan received $3.54 billion in workers’ remittances during April 2026, according to data released by the State Bank of Pakistan on Monday, marking an 11.4 percent increase compared to the same month last year. The figures confirm that overseas Pakistanis, particularly those based in the Gulf, continue to be a critical financial lifeline for the country’s economy.
The month-on-month reading showed a 7.6 percent dip from March, when inflows reached $3.83 billion, but analysts view that as a seasonal adjustment rather than a trend reversal. Year-on-year, the trajectory remains firmly upward.
Saudi Arabia topped the list with $841.7 million in April, an 8 percent monthly decline but a 16 percent year-on-year rise. The UAE came in second at $734.7 million, including over $566 million from Dubai and around $129 million from Abu Dhabi, underscoring the scale of the Pakistani workforce based across the Emirates.
The United Kingdom contributed $563.7 million, EU countries sent $432 million, and the United States added $317.6 million. Other Gulf Cooperation Council countries collectively sent around $325 million, bringing total Middle East inflows to nearly $1.9 billion for the month.
Pakistan Remittances FY26 Hit $33.8 Billion, Up 8.5 Percent Year on Year
Cumulatively, remittances for the first ten months of fiscal year 2025-26 reached $33.86 billion, up 8.5 percent from $31.21 billion during the same period last year. Pakistan’s full-year remittance target for FY26 stands at around $41 billion, compared to the record $38.3 billion logged in FY25, which itself was a 26.6 percent jump from the previous year.
The State Bank of Pakistan has attributed sustained remittance growth partly to policy measures encouraging formal transfer channels, including exchange company reforms, reduced kerb market premiums, and incentives for banks and exchange companies. Pre-departure briefings for migrant workers and diaspora outreach campaigns have also been cited as contributing factors.
Waqas Ghani, Head of Research at JS Global, told Business Recorder that the external account outlook “remains fickle as FY26 approaches closure,” a note of caution even as the headline numbers stay strong.
Saudi Arabia tops Pakistan remittance inflows as April transfers reach $3.5 billion
UAE Sends $734 Million in Pakistan Remittances in April 2026
For Pakistan, remittances are not just a balance-of-payments cushion. They are the monthly income for millions of families. The State Bank has noted that inflows support household consumption, help stabilize the currency, and reduce pressure on foreign exchange reserves, which remain a closely watched indicator given the country’s ongoing engagement with the IMF.
The April data arrives at a moment of broader economic recalibration. Pakistan is in the final stretch of its IMF Extended Fund Facility program, and steady remittance inflows have been a key stabilizing factor, alongside improved fiscal discipline and export growth.
With the UAE consistently among the top two sources month after month, the Pakistani expat community here remains among the most economically significant diaspora groups in the region.
