Pakistan

In March 2025, Pakistan received a record USD 4.1 billion in remittances, marking the highest monthly inflow in the country's history. This significant surge, a 37% increase year-on-year, offers crucial support to Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves and broader economic stability. The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) confirmed that the growth in remittances is a vital factor in easing the nation’s liquidity pressures. However, despite the positive inflows, Pakistan’s GDP growth for FY25 is expected to remain subdued at around 3%, primarily due to a decrease in agricultural output.

In a significant geopolitical and economic development, Pakistan and Belarus have reaffirmed their commitment to deepen bilateral ties, focusing on strategic sectors such as agriculture, mining, manufacturing, and defense. During a high-level meeting in Minsk between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Aleksandr Lukashenko, the two nations agreed to pursue joint ventures, particularly in agricultural equipment production and mineral resource development.

Pakistan's trade relations with the United States are facing a turbulent period as new tariffs are introduced. On Wednesday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the dispatch of a high-level delegation to the US for talks aimed at addressing the 29% tariff imposed on Pakistani goods. This decision follows a series of retaliatory measures, with Pakistan’s own tariffs on US products leading to a trade standoff.