Foreign Companies Took $2 Billion Profits Out of Pakistan in 10 Months

Foreign investors repatriated more than $2 billion in profits and dividends from Pakistan during the first 10 months of fiscal year 2025-26, an increase of 8.7 percent from a year earlier, as improved foreign exchange liquidity allowed multinational companies to transfer earnings more freely.

According to State Bank of Pakistan data, profit and dividend repatriation reached $2.0007 billion during July to April FY26, compared with $1.8413 billion in the same period last year. Of the total, $1.92 billion was remitted under foreign direct investment, while $80.7 million was transferred under foreign portfolio investment.

The United Kingdom remained the largest destination for profit outflows, receiving $556.4 million, followed by China with $439.5 million, nearly double the amount repatriated a year ago.

Investors from the Netherlands received $175.5 million, while firms from the United States and the United Arab Emirates took home $169 million and $130.4 million, respectively.

Sector wise, financial businesses recorded the largest outflows at $523.2 million, followed by the power sector at $478.2 million, largely driven by coal fired projects. Significant profit remittances were also reported in food, communications, pharmaceuticals, transport, petroleum refining, cement, and chemical industries.