Pakistan sees 40% increase in services exports to Kuwait in 2025

A view of shipping containers at a warehouse yard near the port area in Karachi, Pakistan, on July 31, 2025. (REUTERS/File)
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Updated 05 January 2026
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Pakistan sees 40% increase in services exports to Kuwait in 2025

  • Islamabad’s services exports to Kuwait increased from $16.7 million in 2024 to $23.6 million in 2025, Pakistani embassy says 
  • Says upward trend underscores strengthening economic linkages between Pakistan and the Gulf country in services sector 

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s services exports to Kuwait have recorded 40% increase from January to November 2025, Pakistan’s embassy in the Gulf country said recently, adding that it reflected the strengthening of economic ties between the two states. 

Pakistan’s services exports to Kuwait were reported at $12.6 million in 2022, according to the Pakistan embassy in the Gulf country. These exports increased in 2023 to $15 million and further to $16.7 million in 2024. 

As per the latest data shared by the Pakistan embassy in Kuwait, from January to November 2025, Pakistan’s services exports to the country increased to $23.6 million, marking a 40 percent increase. 

“This upward trend underscores strengthening economic linkages between Pakistan and Kuwait in the services sector,” the embassy said in a post on social media platform X on Sunday. 

Pakistan enjoys cordial ties with Kuwait, with diplomatic relations between the two countries dating back to October 1963. The two countries cooperate with each other at various international fora, including the United Nations, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Financial Action Task Force and others.

Kuwait hosts around 95,000 Pakistani nationals, as per figures shared by Pakistan’s foreign office. The ratio of skilled and unskilled Pakistani laborers in Kuwait is around 70 percent to 30 percent, with the majority being blue collar workers such as masons, steel and tile fixers, drivers, plumbers, painters, barbers, dry cleaners and tailors. 

A small number of Pakistani white-collared professionals such as doctors, engineers, chartered accountants and financial experts also work in Kuwait. 


Pakistan to begin opposition leader’s appointment next NA session after months-long vacancy— speaker

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Pakistan to begin opposition leader’s appointment next NA session after months-long vacancy— speaker

  • Pakistan’s last opposition leader in National Assembly, Omar Ayub Khan, was disqualified in August after conviction by anti-terrorism court
  • Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party’s Chief Whip Amir Dogar pushes for Mahmood Khan Achakzai to be appointed as opposition leader in assembly

ISLAMABAD: National Assembly (NA) Speaker Ayaz Sadiq has said that the constitutional process to appoint a new leader of the opposition in the house will begin in its upcoming session, state media reported on Tuesday. 

The opposition leader’s post has remained vacant since August last year, after Pakistan’s election commission disqualified Omar Ayub Khan following his conviction by an anti-terrorism court. 

Khan, who is a senior leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party of former prime minister Imran Khan, was convicted along with eight other lawmakers of being involved in violent anti-government protests on May 9, 2023. Angry Khan supporters on that day damaged government buildings and military installations across the country after the former premier was briefly detained on corruption allegations. Imran Khan and his party have distanced themselves from the violent protests, saying they did not instigate masses for violent activities. 

“Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq says constitutional process to appoint the Leader of the Opposition will commence in the forthcoming parliamentary session,” state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported. 

The state media said Sadiq was speaking to reporters informally at the Parliament House. He added that further action for the opposition leader’s appointment would proceed after the verification and authentication of opposition members’ signatures.

The development takes place a day after Sadiq met senior PTI leader and National Assembly Chief Whip Amir Dogar to discuss the new opposition leader’s appointment. 

Dogar reiterated his party’s demand for Mahmood Khan Achakzai, a veteran politician, to be appointed as the opposition leader, the official NA website said. 

“Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq emphasized that all proceedings will be conducted strictly in accordance with rules, laws, and the constitution,” the NA website said. “He further stated that he will inform the House about this matter in the upcoming session of the National Assembly.”

Sadiq said the rules of the opposition leader’s appointment are clear, adding that the process to appoint him would be initiated afresh. 

The opposition leader’s post is an important one in Pakistan’s parliamentary politics. The opposition leader typically leads criticism of the government’s policies during NA sessions and acts as the main face of the opposition parties publicly.