Islamabad (The Thursday Times) — Pakistan received $3.5 billion in remittances from Pakistani workers living abroad in April 2026, a sign that overseas Pakistanis remain a strong and reliable financial support for the country's economy.
According to State Bank of Pakistan figures, the largest sources of remittances in April were Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, European countries and the United States. These funds play an important role in supporting Pakistan's external accounts, keeping foreign exchange inflows healthy and meeting the financial needs of millions of families.
Saudi Arabia was the largest source of remittances in April, with about $842 million sent to Pakistan from there. About $735 million was received from the United Arab Emirates, with money coming from Dubai and Abu Dhabi prominent among the flows.
The United Kingdom was also an important source, with Pakistanis sending home about $564 million. Remittances from European countries were about $432 million, while about $318 million reached Pakistan from the United States.
These figures show the continuing importance of the overseas community to Pakistan. Pakistanis living in the Gulf states, the United Kingdom, Europe and North America not only support their families but also underpin the country's financial system.
Remittances are not merely an economic figure. Behind them lie the daily lives of millions of families, children's education, medical treatment, household expenses and future savings. For a country like Pakistan, where pressure on foreign exchange is often the central problem of economic policy, the money sent by overseas Pakistanis serves as a permanent financial cushion.
During July to April 26, total remittances reached $33.9 billion, compared with $31.2 billion in the same period last year. The increase indicates that the flow of money from Pakistanis abroad has remained strong.
معاشی اعتبار سے یہ پاکستان کے لیے ایک مثبت اشارہ ہے۔ ترسیلاتِ زر زرمبادلہ کے ذخائر کو سہارا دیتی ہیں، روپے پر دباؤ کم کرنے میں مدد دیتی ہیں اور کرنٹ اکاؤنٹ کو مستحکم رکھنے میں کردار ادا کرتی ہیں۔ سماجی اعتبار سے یہ رقوم ملک کے اندر لاکھوں گھرانوں کی قوتِ خرید کو برقرار رکھتی ہیں۔
اپریل کے اعداد و شمار ایک بار پھر دکھاتے ہیں کہ پاکستان کی معیشت میں اوورسیز پاکستانیوں کا کردار مرکزی حیثیت رکھتا ہے۔ وہ ملک سے دور ضرور ہیں، مگر ان کی کمائی، محنت اور وابستگی پاکستان کے مالی استحکام میں براہِ راست شامل ہے۔
