Saudi Arabia leads Pakistan’s foreign remittances for January as inflows surge by 15.4%

KARACHI: Pakistan received $3.5 billion in foreign remittances in January 2026, the central bank said on Tuesday, with Saudi Arabia once again leading the inflows that Islamabad considers crucial to ensure economic stability.

Foreign remittances are key for cash-strapped Pakistan as they increase foreign reserves, cushion the country’s current account and stabilize the national currency.

As per data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), foreign remittances increased 15.4% on a year-on-year basis in January 2026.

“Workers’ remittances recorded an inflow of $3.5 billion during January 2026,” the SBP said in a statement.

It added that cumulatively, with an inflow of $23.2 billion remittances increased by 11.3% during the July-January period of the current fiscal year. Last year, Pakistan reported receiving $20.9 billion during the same period.