ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan Rasit Meredow on Monday arrived in Pakistan on a two-day visit, the Pakistani foreign office said, amid Islamabad’s efforts to boost trade with Central Asian states.
Pakistan hopes to leverage its strategic geopolitical position and enhance its role as a pivotal trade and transit hub connecting the landlocked Central Asian republics with the rest of the world.
In recent months, there has been a flurry of visits, investment talks and economic activity between Pakistan and Central Asian states, including meetings with leaders from Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan.
Upon arrival in Islamabad, FM Meredow was warmly welcomed by Pakistan’s Minister for Industries and Production Rana Tanveer Hussain, according to the Pakistani foreign office.
“Foreign Minister Meredov will hold extensive talks with the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 and call on the Pakistani leadership,” the foreign office said in a statement.
The talks between the two sides will cover all aspects of bilateral relations as well as regional and global developments, according to Pakistani officials.
Located in a landlocked but resource-rich region, Central Asian countries need better access to regional markets including Pakistan, China, India, and the countries of West Asia.
Islamabad is seeking to bolster trade and investment relations with allies to stabilize its fragile $350 billion economy as it faces an acute balance of payment crisis amid soaring inflation and surging external debt.
The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project, under which Beijing has pledged around $65 billion in energy, infrastructure and other projects in Pakistan, also presents a strategic opportunity for Central Asian states to transport their goods more easily to regional and global markets.
Turkmenistan foreign minister arrives in Islamabad amid Pakistan trade push
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Turkmenistan foreign minister arrives in Islamabad amid Pakistan trade push
- There has been a flurry of visits, investment talks and economic activity between Pakistan and Central Asian states recently
- Pakistan hopes to enhance its role as pivotal trade and transit hub connecting landlocked Central Asia to the rest of the world
Pakistan remittances seen surpassing $40 billion in FY26 as Saudi Arabia leads November inflows
- The country’s November remittances rose 9.4 percent year-on-year to $3.2 billion, official data show
- Economic experts say rupee stability and higher use of formal channels are driving the upward trend
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s workers’ remittances are expected to exceed the $40 billion mark in the current fiscal year, economic experts said Tuesday, after the country recorded an inflow of $3.2 billion in November, with Saudi Arabia once again emerging as the biggest contributor.
Remittances are a key pillar of Pakistan’s external finances, providing hard currency that supports household consumption, helps narrow the current-account gap and bolsters foreign-exchange reserves. The steady pipeline from Gulf economies, led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, has remained crucial for Pakistan’s balance of payments.
A government statement said monthly remittances in November stood at $3.2 billion, reflecting a 9.4 percent year-on-year increase.
“The growth in remittances means the full-year figure is expected to cross the $40 billion target in fiscal year 2026,” Sana Tawfik, head of research at Arif Habib Limited, told Arab News over the phone.
“There are a couple of factors behind the rise in remittances,” she said. “One of them is the stability of the rupee. In addition, the country is receiving more inflows through formal channels.”
Tawfik said the trend was positive for the current account and expected inflows to remain strong in the second half of the fiscal year, noting that both Muslim festivals of Eid fall in that period, when overseas Pakistanis traditionally send additional money home for family expenses and celebrations.
The official statement said cumulative remittances reached $16.1 billion during July–November, up 9.3 percent from $14.8 billion in the same period last year.
It added that November inflows were mainly sourced from Saudi Arabia ($753 million), the United Arab Emirates ($675 million), the United Kingdom ($481.1 million) and the United States ($277.1 million).
“UAE remittances have regained momentum in recent months, with their share at 21 percent in November 2025 from a low of 18 percent in FY24,” said Muhammad Waqas Ghani, head of research at JS Global Capital Limited. “Dubai in particular has seen a steady pick-up, reflecting improved inflows from Pakistani expatriates owing to some relaxation in emigration policies.”
