Pakistanis Hold Over $150B in UAE Assets, and Islamabad Is Watching
Pakistan’s National Accountability Bureau (NAB) is in active talks with UAE authorities to crack down on money laundering and undeclared offshore holdings, shining a fresh spotlight on the staggering wealth Pakistani nationals hold in the Emirates.
Back in 2018, Pakistan’s Supreme Court was presented a report by chartered accountancy firm A.F. Ferguson estimating that Pakistani nationals owned properties and assets worth $150 billion in the UAE, in a case relating to illegal offshore assets. Analysts say that figure has likely grown significantly since, given the continued flow of Pakistani capital into UAE real estate and business over the past several years.
NAB’s Director General of Operations, Amjad Majeed Aulakh, confirmed that a team of officials will soon travel to Dubai to sign a memorandum of understanding with the UAE Accountability Authority. Both sides have already held several rounds of talks to finalize the agreement.
Pakistanis in UAE: A Community With Deep Financial Roots
There are over 1.7 million Pakistani nationals living and working in the UAE across various sectors. Their economic footprint is enormous. In 2025, the Pakistani diaspora globally sent an estimated $40 billion in remittances back home, with the UAE contributing nearly $700 million in October 2025 alone, making it the second-largest source after Saudi Arabia.
Beyond remittances, Pakistani investors have long been active in Dubai’s real estate market. According to the Pakistan Business Council, Pakistanis rank among the top 10 investors in Dubai real estate, with second-generation expats continuing to pour billions of dirhams into property, automobiles, and retail.
Scrutiny Grows as Islamabad Seeks Accountability
NAB officials noted that many Pakistanis reportedly own luxury homes and commercial properties in the UAE despite not working or having businesses in the country. The cooperation deal with Emirati authorities signals a harder stance from both governments on undeclared or illicitly obtained assets.
NAB’s total recoveries over the past three years reached the equivalent of $41 billion, with 2025 alone accounting for more than half that amount. Officials said investigations are increasingly supported by AI tools, blockchain analysis, and digital forensics.
At the same time, Islamabad is pursuing legitimate financial engagement with Abu Dhabi. Pakistan aims to double its trade with the UAE from $10 billion to $20 billion within the next three to four years, with sectors like agriculture, mining, and infrastructure on the table.
The dual track of tightening accountability while deepening investment ties reflects how central the UAE-Pakistan corridor has become. For Pakistani expats in the Emirates, it is a reminder that the financial relationship flows in multiple directions, and that both governments are now watching more closely than ever.
