Pakistan recorded steady overseas worker registrations during the first five months of FY2026, alongside continued expansion of social safety net programs aimed at supporting vulnerable segments of the population. According to official data, the Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment registered 349,850 workers for overseas employment during the July to November period of FY2026, reflecting sustained demand for Pakistani labor in international markets.
However, overseas worker registrations declined on a monthly basis in November 2025. Registrations fell by 21.4 percent to 71,237 workers in November, compared to 90,339 workers registered in October 2025. The month-on-month decline suggests short-term fluctuations in overseas employment demand, although cumulative figures indicate overall stability during the fiscal year.
At the same time, efforts to strengthen social protection continued through expanded lending and income support initiatives. The Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund, working in partnership with 26 organizations, disbursed 5,657 interest-free loans amounting to Rs. 356 million during November 2025. These loans are aimed at supporting micro-entrepreneurs and low-income households, enabling them to pursue income-generating activities and improve livelihoods.
Since 2019, cumulative disbursements under PPAF initiatives have reached Rs. 121.5 billion, reflecting the scale and continuity of the program’s poverty alleviation efforts. The sustained flow of interest-free financing underscores the government’s focus on financial inclusion and economic empowerment at the grassroots level.
Social protection spending also increased under the Benazir Income Support Programme. During the July to October period of FY2026, expenditures under BISP totaled Rs. 143.5 billion, marking a 26.8 percent increase compared to the same period last year. The rise in spending highlights the program’s expanding coverage and its role in providing income support to vulnerable households amid evolving economic conditions.
Overall, the combination of steady overseas employment registrations and growing social safety net expenditures reflects a dual approach to economic stability. While overseas employment continues to contribute to household incomes and foreign exchange inflows, expanded social protection programs are helping to cushion vulnerable groups and strengthen inclusive economic development during FY2026.
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