PESHAWAR: Pakistan’s top diplomat in Dubai on Friday described members of his country’s diaspora community in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as a “pillar of national strength” for the economy of their home country, playing a key role by ensuring strong remittance inflows.
Millions of Pakistanis working in Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, as well as in Europe and the United States, send money home to support their families. The UAE was the top source of workers’ remittances earlier this year in February, with monthly inflows of $696.2 million, according to the State Bank of Pakistan.
Pakistan’s Consul General Hussain Muhammad made the remarks while addressing an event in Dubai, marking the launch of the company’s upcoming Eid Al-Adha campaign aimed at promoting formal remittance flows.
“Overseas Pakistanis have not only contributed meaningfully to the development of the host country but have also played a key role in supporting Pakistan’s economy,” he said, according to an official statement.
The statement added “he described the community as a vital pillar of national strength” while highlighting the role of the Pakistani diaspora in the UAE.
The event discussed the ways to strengthen, optimize and secure remittance flows for the benefit of both senders and recipients.
The Pakistani diplomat urged the need for formal and secure remittance channels, highlighting that the Pakistani consulate regularly engaged with the community to promote the use of legal remittance avenues.
The event was attended by members of the Pakistani business community from across the UAE.
In recent years, Pakistan has sought to strengthen formal remittance channels while cracking down on illegal systems such as hawala and hundi.
Foreign remittances are crucial for cash-strapped Pakistan, as they boost foreign reserves, help cushion the current account deficit and support the stability of the national currency.