Pakistan's budget buoys its diaspora but cuts worry critics

Awards for top remitters and faster immigration among new perks

- BY ASHFAQ AHMED Senior Assistant Editor

In a notable shift, the government of Pakistan has unveiled a series of initiatives in the latest Federal Budget to better engage and support its diaspora.

Despite an overall 7 per cent reduction in federal spending, bringing the total outlay to 7.57 trillion rupees ($62 billion), Pakistan Finance Minister Mohammad Aurangzeb described overseas Pakistanis as the country's “most valuable asset”.

Remittances reached a record $31.2 billion in the first 10 months of FY2024-25, marking a 31 per cent increase year-on-year.

Concerns over cuts