Karachi – April 20, 2025: Pakistan has witnessed a substantial 108% surge in profit and dividend repatriation during the first nine months (July–March) of the fiscal year 2024–25. According to the latest figures released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), foreign investors and multinational companies sent home a total of $1.719 billion during this period—more than double the amount recorded in the same timeframe last year.
This sharp rise in profit repatriation signals improved investor confidence and reflects the central bank’s ongoing commitment to facilitating capital outflows, even while managing the country’s foreign exchange situation. In March alone, $157.9 million was repatriated by foreign investors and firms operating in Pakistan, including those active in the local stock exchange.
The positive trend is further reinforced by Pakistan’s overall external account performance. The country reported a record $1.2 billion current account surplus in March, largely due to increased remittance inflows. This marked a sharp turnaround from the $97 million deficit recorded in February. Cumulatively, for the July–March FY25 period, Pakistan posted a $1.9 billion current account surplus—an encouraging reversal compared to the $1.7 billion deficit during the same months last year.
The SBP also projects the country’s foreign exchange reserves to rise to over $14 billion by June. As of now, reserves stand at $10.57 billion, covering roughly two months of imports.
Meanwhile, net foreign direct investment (FDI) in Pakistan rose 14% year-on-year to $1.644 billion. However, FDI inflows for March dropped to $25.7 million compared to $294.2 million in March last year.
Breaking down the profit outflows, the power sector led the chart with $327.9 million, followed by the food sector at $291 million, and the financial sector with $214.2 million. Total profit repatriation from FDI increased from $764.3 million to $1.649 billion, while returns from foreign private investments reached $70.8 million.
This upward trend in profit repatriation highlights Pakistan’s renewed focus on economic stability and its ability to attract and accommodate foreign capital.