ISLAMABAD: Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa highlighted Pakistan’s efforts for regional peace and stability while participating in the Munich Security Council on Saturday.
General Bajwa pointed out that his country had launched several security operations against terrorist networks operating in the region, adding that there were no organized militant training camps or sanctuaries in Pakistan anymore.
The army chief said that his country has done everything to ensure proper management of its western border and was unilaterally building a fence and hundreds of surveillance forts for that purpose.
He added that these steps were taken not only to curb militant movement, but also to facilitate Afghan nationals who visit his country for legitimate reasons.
General Bajwa also noted that there were several ungoverned spaces in Afghanistan that were exploited by militant factions in that country.
He maintained that there were nearly 2.7 million Afghan refugees in his country and their settlements were routinely used by the Haqqani network and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan to recruit, morph and melt.
The army chief noted that Pakistan was fully committed to the international consensus that political reconciliation was the only solution to the Afghan issue.
“While we are actively supporting the new US strategy in the region, primarily based on a kinetic approach, we are not leaving any stone unturned to try and do our best in bringing the parties of the conflict on the negotiation table,” he added.
No terrorist sanctuaries in Pakistan, Gen Bajwa assures international conference
No terrorist sanctuaries in Pakistan, Gen Bajwa assures international conference
Saudi Arabia leads Pakistan’s December remittances as inflows rise 16.5%
- Remittances reach $3.6bn in December, central bank says
- Flows from Gulf countries remain backbone of Pakistan’s external financing
KARACHI: Workers’ remittances to Pakistan rose sharply in December with inflows led by Saudi Arabia, according to State Bank of Pakistan data released on Friday, providing critical support to the country’s foreign exchange reserves and balance of payments.
Remittances, a key source of hard currency for Pakistan, have remained resilient despite global economic uncertainty, helping cushion the country’s current account, support the rupee and stabilize foreign exchange reserves at a time when Islamabad remains under an International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout program.
According to the State Bank of Pakistan’s official data, workers’ remittances reached a record $38.3 billion in fiscal year 2024-25 (July 2024–June 2025), up from about $30.3 billion the year before, reflecting strong labor migration to Gulf countries and improved formal banking channels. Economists say remittances are especially vital for Pakistan because they finance imports, support household consumption and reduce reliance on external borrowing.
“Workers’ remittances recorded an inflow of $ 3.6 billion during December 2025,” the central bank said in a statement.
“In terms of growth, remittances increased by 16.5 and 12.6% on y/y and m/m basis respectively.”
On a cumulative basis, remittances also posted solid growth in the current fiscal year.
“Cumulatively, with an inflow of $ 19.7 billion, workers’ remittances increased by 10.6% during H1FY26 compared to $ 17.8 billion received during the same period last year,” the statement said.
Saudi Arabia remained the single largest source of inflows in December with $813.1 million, followed by the United Arab Emirates at $726.1 million, the United Kingdom at $559.7 million and the United States at $301.7 million, according to the central bank.
Millions of Pakistanis work abroad, particularly in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, sending money home to support families and local economies. The government and central bank have encouraged the use of formal channels in recent years, helping improve transparency and sustain inflows.
