Saudi Arabia hires 530,000 Pakistanis as remittances hit record $38.3bn

Islamabad: Saudi Arabia remained the top destination for Pakistani workers in 2025, with more than 530,000 Pakistanis securing jobs in the Kingdom, nearly 70 percent of Pakistan’s total overseas employment. Official figures show Pakistan sent 762,499 workers abroad during the year, while the number of registered overseas Pakistani workers since 1971 has crossed 15.13 million. Saudi Arabia has hosted around 7.87 million Pakistani workers over five decades, followed by the UAE with 4.48 million. Overseas employment remains a major economic support for Pakistan, as remittances reached a record $38.3 billion in FY2024-25. These inflows can support household income, property purchases, construction demand, and investor confidence. Can overseas jobs keep strengthening Pakistan’s economy?