According to data from the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), repatriation of profits and dividends from foreign investment in Pakistan fell sharply in May 2025, registering a 71% year-on-year (YoY) decline to $264 million. However, the figures showed a robust 117% month-on-month (MoM) increase.
In the first 11 months of fiscal year 2024-25 (11MFY25), the total repatriation reached $2.1 billion, reflecting a 16% YoY growth compared to $1.8 billion during the same period last year, as reported by Arif Habib Limited.
The financial business sector led the outflows in May 2025, repatriating $76.4 million, despite a significant 76% YoY decrease. The power sector followed with $56.5 million, marking a 51% YoY drop.Â
However, the cement and chemical sectors witnessed substantial increases, with repatriation in the cement sector rising by 229% YoY to $5.4 million, while the chemical sector saw a 929% YoY jump, reaching $5.3 million.Â
Repatriation from the oil and gas exploration sector soared by 997% YoY to $36.4 million, and the transport sector saw a 92% YoY increase, reaching $1.9 million. On the other hand, the communication and beverage sectors faced sharp declines of 86% and 85% YoY, respectively.
For the cumulative 11MFY25 period, the power sector remained the largest contributor with total repatriation of $396.2 million, followed by financial businesses at $364.6 million. Significant growth was also recorded in the repatriation from oil and gas exploration firms (up 1,143%) and the tobacco and cigarette sector (up 157%).
May 2024 had witnessed the highest repatriation figure at $918 million, while May 2025’s figure marked a recovery compared to April 2025 but still fell short of the previous year’s high.
