Key Takeaways
- Workers' remittances reached a record $41.6 billion in FY2025–26.
- Fisheries exports hit a new high of $568 million during the same fiscal year.
- These achievements reflect Pakistan's economic resilience and growing international trade.
Pakistan has recorded its highest-ever annual remittances, reaching $41.6 billion in FY2025–26, marking a 9% increase from the previous fiscal year. This milestone underscores the unwavering confidence of overseas Pakistanis and highlights the country's external sector resilience.
The Finance Ministry reported that June 2026 alone contributed $3.5 billion to this total, further cementing the record-breaking achievement. The remittances trend shows a steady growth over the past three years: FY26 saw an increase from $38.3 billion in FY25 and $30.3 billion in FY24, with FY23 recording $27.3 billion.
In a related development, Pakistan's seafood exports achieved a record $568 million during the fiscal year 2025-26. Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry highlighted this achievement in a statement, emphasizing the government’s commitment to strengthening the blue economy and expanding seafood exports.
Frozen fish was identified as the leading export commodity with earnings of $105.09 million, followed by frozen squid and cuttlefish ($103.71 million), fish meal ($83.12 million), shrimps ($62.14 million), crabs ($36.89 million), sardines ($30.62 million), mackerels ($22.67 million), flat fish ($17.24 million), octopus ($15.18 million) and minced fish meat (surimi) ($14.63 million).
The minister noted that seafood exports were primarily shipped to China, Thailand, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, Japan, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Indonesia, and the United States. Despite disruptions in regional trade and maritime logistics due to evolving situations in the Gulf region, the fisheries sector demonstrated remarkable resilience.
Chaudhry also highlighted the government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen quality assurance systems, diversify export destinations, promote value addition, and enhance global competitiveness of the fisheries industry. A performance review ceremony is scheduled soon to recognize top 10 fisheries exporters with certificates of appreciation to be presented by the prime minister.
