Karachi:
Pakistan received $ 3.21 billion in workers’ work funds in July 2025, reflecting an increase of 7.4% in annual shift compared to $ 2.99 billion in July 2024, thanks to more than 2 million economic migrants who sought a job abroad due to their disillusionment with the country’s political and economic situation.
Entrances have also shown a substantial increase of 47.6% compared to July 2023, highlighting a strong rebound in transfers of foreign workers in the last two years, according to provisional data published by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).
Growth was mainly motivated by higher entries in Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates (Water) and the European Union (EU). However, despite the overall improvement, the data reveal notable declines in several major funds, signaling emerging vulnerabilities on behalf of Pakistan.
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region has continued to be the largest source of funding from Pakistan. Saudi Arabia dominated the list with $ 823.7 million in July, up 8.4% in annual shift, compared to $ 760.1 million. The water followed with $ 665.2 million, up 8.8% in annual sliding, ABU Dhabi entries increasing 37%. However, Dubai recorded a decrease of 3.1%, increased to $ 456.8 million, compared to $ 471.6 million a year earlier. Other CCG countries have contributed $ 296 million, a modest increase of 2.6%. In this group, Oman increased by 7.1%, while Kuwait posted a drop of 11.1% to $ 62.5 million. These figures underline the continuous dominance of the CCG in the profile of the sending of funds from Pakistan, but also highlight the intra-regional volatility.
The United Kingdom sent $ 450.4 million in July, slightly up 1.6% in annual shift. The European Union has collectively contributed to $ 424.4 million, up 21%, with notable gains from Italy (+ 23.6% to $ 130 million), Spain (+ 35.7% to $ 72.7 million) and Ireland (+ 48% to 19.4 million dollars).
Not all regions share growth. Several sources of important survasions have experienced two -digit drops. The United States dropped from 10.2% in annual shift to $ 269.6 million, compared to $ 300.1 million. Malaysia fell 17% to $ 13.4 million. Japan decreased from $ 4.5% to $ 4.5 million, while South Korea dropped from 9.7% to $ 9 million. Kuwait also recorded a drop of 11.1% to $ 62.5 million. Such drops concern Pakistan’s dependence on a handful of large corridors.
Although the overall July figures are encouraging, the data exposes several structural challenges for Pakistan payment entries. The country remains strongly dependent on a few markets-with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States, representing more than two thirds of total entries. Any economic slowdown, the change of policy or the impact of employment in these countries could have a serious impact on receipts for funds from Pakistan. The intra-regional divergence within the CCG, such as the decline of Dubai alongside the rise of Abu Dhabi, shows how the demand and the benefits of work can vary considerably even in the same region. The 10% drop in the United States is particularly significant given its status as fourth source, potentially linked to the increase in lifestyles of migrants, changes in labor markets or higher use of informal channels. The weakness in East Asia, in particular Japan, South Korea and Malaysia, can reflect stagnation or the loss of competitiveness of Pakistani labor in these markets, perhaps because of competition from other countries at the end of migrants. In addition, the strength of CCG funds is often linked to petroleum income and related employment; Any sustained drop in crude prices or the tightening of labor laws in the Gulf could mitigate entries.
Economists say that if the annual growth of 7.4% in July is a positive signal, Pakistan must work to diversify its payment base. Building so much on a few countries is risky. The government must invest in the update of workers to protect and improve this vital source of currencies. The monthly ventilation of the SBP also shows that the July entries were greater than the monthly average for fiscal year 26 of $ 3.19 billion, suggesting a good start for the exercise.
Pakistan has recorded its influx of funds for the highest July workers to $ 3.21 billion, according to ARIF Habib Limited. The historic figure also reflects a strong resumption of the decline observed during fiscal year 23, because the Pakistanis abroad sent more funds through formal channels, supported by stable exchange rates, seasonal entries related to Eid and an improvement in banks’ facilitation.
