Pakistan receives record $41.6 billion workers’ remittances in FY26

Pakistan received $41.6 billion in workers’ remittances during fiscal year 2025-26, up 8.6% from $38.3 billion in the previous fiscal year, according to data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Thursday. 

In June 2026, workers’ remittances stood at $3.5 billion. The inflows increased 2.0% on a year-on-year basis but fell 18.3% compared with the previous month.

Saudi Arabia remained the largest source of remittances in June, with inflows of $829.6 million. The United Arab Emirates followed with $792.2 million, while remittances from the United Kingdom stood at $514.9 million.

Inflows from the United States were recorded at $296.8 million during the month.

The full-year increase in remittances provides support to Pakistan’s external account at a time when the country continues to manage import payments, debt obligations and foreign exchange reserve targets.

Read This: SBP phases out Sohni Dharti remittance programme, ends new rewards from July 1

Workers’ remittances are a key source of foreign exchange for Pakistan and help support household consumption, the current account and overall balance of payments.

The record annual remittances come as the SBP has started withdrawing two remittance-related incentive schemes.

The central bank has begun winding down the Sohni Dharti Remittance Programme, ending the award of new reward points on remittance transactions from July 1, 2026. Eligible remittances received through formal banking channels up to June 30, 2026, will still earn points under the existing mechanism, with banks submitting transaction details to 1LINK for crediting rewards.

Users will have until June 30, 2027, to redeem reward points accumulated by June 30, 2026. The programme will become non-functional from July 1, 2027.

The Sohni Dharti Remittance Programme was launched to encourage overseas Pakistanis to send money through SBP-regulated financial institutions instead of informal channels.

Separately, banks and other authorised institutions will no longer receive reimbursement from the SBP for processing eligible workers’ remittances after the central bank discontinued the Telegraphic Transfer Charges Incentive Scheme. The decision took effect on July 1, 2026.