Karachi, April 8, 2026— Pakistan recorded strong inflows of workers’ remittances in March 2026, reaching $3.8 billion despite ongoing geopolitical tensions linked to the Iran conflict. The figures were released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Wednesday, highlighting the resilience of overseas Pakistanis during a period of global uncertainty.
According to the SBP, remittances increased by 16.5 percent compared to $3.29 billion in February 2026. However, on a year-on-year basis, inflows declined by 5.5 percent from $4.05 billion recorded in March 2025.
The rise in remittances comes despite heightened tensions following military strikes by the United States and Israel inside Iran on February 28. The conflict created volatility in global financial markets, particularly in Gulf economies where a significant number of Pakistani expatriates are employed.
Pakistan relies heavily on remittances from Gulf countries, which remain a vital source of foreign exchange. In March 2026, the largest contributions came from Saudi Arabia with $918.4 million, followed by the United Arab Emirates at $823.7 million. Other major contributors included the United Kingdom with $587.3 million and the United States at $359.3 million.
Cumulatively, remittances during the first nine months (July to March) of fiscal year 2025-26 reached $30.3 billion, marking an 8.2 percent increase compared to $28 billion in the same period last year.
Economists note that stable remittance inflows continue to support Pakistan’s external account and help cushion the economy against regional instability and global financial pressures.