PM thanks abroad Pakistanis as remittances hit report $3.6bn in December

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has thanked abroad Pakistanis after remittances rose to a report $3.6 billion in December 2025, giving a significant enhance to the nation’s financial system.

In an announcement, the prime minister stated remittances elevated 16.5% in comparison with the identical month final yr, calling it an indication of the “robust confidence” of abroad Pakistanis within the authorities’s financial insurance policies.

He stated by rejecting what he described as “propaganda” and persevering with to help Pakistan’s development and improvement by remittances, abroad Pakistanis had proven deep dedication to the nation. The remarks have been a reference to the opposition PTI’s anti-government stance.

Describing abroad Pakistanis as a “useful nationwide asset”, Shehbaz stated the nation took delight of their contribution and that their welfare and well-being remained among the many authorities’s high priorities.

State broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported that general overseas remittances rose 13% in December to succeed in the historic excessive of $3.6 billion. The surge pushed whole remittances within the first half of fiscal yr 2025-26 to $19.7 billion, a pointy 41% improve in contrast with the identical interval final yr.

Learn: Remittances rise to $19.7b in H1

In line with a country-wise breakdown, Saudi Arabia remained the most important supply of remittances with $813 million, adopted by the United Arab Emirates with $726 million, the UK with $560 million and america with $302 million.

Adviser to the Finance Minister Khurram Schehzad stated the report inflows mirrored continued belief of abroad Pakistanis within the authorities’s financial route. He stated the robust involvement of the diaspora within the financial system was a assure of long-term stability, sustainable progress and a brighter future.

Remittance inflows continued their robust upward development throughout the first half of FY26, offering very important help to Pakistan’s exterior account at a time of weakening export efficiency.

In line with knowledge launched by the State Financial institution of Pakistan, remittances rose 11% year-on-year to $19.7 billion throughout the first half of FY26, highlighting the rising position of abroad Pakistanis in stabilising the financial system.

Learn Extra: Abroad Pakistanis ship report $3.2b

The expansion was pushed by a pointy surge in December inflows, which climbed 17% year-on-year to a report $3.6 billion, up from $3.1 billion in the identical month final yr.

On a month-on-month foundation, remittances elevated 13%, exhibiting sustained momentum towards the top of the calendar yr. Brokerage corporations, together with Topline Securities, attributed the rise to increased manpower exports in earlier years, a narrowing hole between formal and casual trade charges and the continuation of presidency incentive schemes to encourage official remittance flows.

Trying forward, analysts have maintained a full-year FY26 remittance goal of $41 billion, up 7.5% from $38 billion in FY25. If achieved, it will rank among the many highest annual inflows in Pakistan’s historical past.

Economists, nonetheless, cautioned that whereas rising remittances assist ease short-term balance-of-payments pressures, lasting exterior stability will rely on long-delayed commerce, industrial and export-led structural reforms.