Overseas investors repatriate $1.7bn in 7MFY26

February 19, 2026 (MLN): Foreign investors’ repatriation of profits and dividends rose 26.26% YoY in 7MFY26 to $1.68 billion, compared to $1.33bn repatriated in the same period last year, according to the latest data issued by the State Bank of Pakistan.

The data further revealed that during the period, foreign companies repatriated $1.62bn in profits against foreign direct investments (FDI) across various businesses, compared to $1.26bn in the same period last year, marking an increase of around 27.92% YoY in 7MFY26.

Outflows as payments against portfolio investment stood at $59.87m, compared with $64.07m in 7MFY25, witnessing a decline of 6.56% YoY.

Meanwhile, in January 2026 alone, repatriation of profits and dividends by foreign firms stood at $118.93m.

Sector-wise:
Sectoral data shows that the Power, Financial Business, Food, Communications, and Transport sectors recorded the highest repatriation.

Among these, the Power sector repatriated the highest profits at $400.19m in 7MFY26.

Profit outflows from the Financial Business sector totaled $371.33m.

Repatriation from the Food sector increased significantly to $142.39m during the period.

Payments on total foreign investment under the Communications and Transport sectors stood at $132.3m and $91.11m, respectively.

Country-wise:
A country-wise breakdown released by the SBP revealed that firms and individual investors from the United Kingdom repatriated the largest amount, totalling $442.76 m during 7MFY26, compared to $434.03m in the same period of the previous fiscal year.

In January alone, payments to the United Kingdom stood at $20.5m.

China recorded the second-highest repatriation, with $413.11m transferred abroad during 7MFY26, compared with $104.86m in 7MFY25.

The Netherlands ranked third, repatriating $151.36m from Pakistan, up from $71.44m in the same period last year.

Next was the United States, with profit repatriation amounting to $145.93m during the review period.

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