Remittances: The external lifeline holds

Business Recorder reported that remittances reached USD10.9 billion in the first quarter of FY27, a 14 percent rise from USD9.5 billion a year earlier. The gain builds on FY26, when inflows totalled USD41.6 billion, which the report calls a record.

September inflows came to USD3.59 billion, up 12.7 percent year on year but down 1.9 percent from August. The report sees the monthly dip as not especially worrying, since receipts have stayed above USD3.5 billion throughout the quarter. The monthly average of roughly USD3.63 billion also exceeds the FY26 average of USD3.47 billion.

Saudi Arabia remained the largest source in September with USD899 million, while the UAE, UK and US contributed USD749 million, USD515 million and USD306 million respectively. Across the quarter, Saudi inflows rose 16.2 percent to USD2.69 billion, UAE receipts grew 12.6 percent to USD2.23 billion, and UK receipts climbed 19.4 percent to USD1.64 billion. The report notes that more than half of inflows originate in Gulf economies.