Foreign companies repatriate $864.3 million in profits, dividends from Pakistan in Q1 FY2026-27

Foreign companies operating in Pakistan repatriated $864.3 million in profits and dividends during the first quarter of fiscal year 2026-27, up 6.67% year on year, according to State Bank of Pakistan data cited by Profit. The transfers came as stronger foreign exchange reserves improved the country's external liquidity, with official reserves standing at $21.5 billion on October 9, 2026, against under $3 billion in February 2023. The outflows continued despite higher import pressures and a challenging geopolitical backdrop.

Payments on foreign direct investment were the largest component, rising to $844.4 million from $785.6 million a year earlier, while portfolio investment outflows edged up to $20 million from $17.1 million. September alone accounted for $306.8 million, a 3.58% increase month on month and a 92.96% jump year on year. Profit noted that corporate earnings in the second half of FY26 rose about 30% year on year, yet dividend payouts were largely flat apart from higher payments by oil and gas exploration firms.

Financial businesses remained the largest sector for repatriated earnings, with outflows of $242.5 million against $234.9 million a year earlier. The power sector followed at $217.7 million, while communications rose to $90.1 million from $68.3 million. Together the three sectors accounted for $550.3 million, or about 63.7% of the quarter's total.