ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Interior has revealed that 290,000 Pakistani citizens travelled to the United Kingdom during the past five years.
The research indicates that 289265 Pakistani citizens emigrated to the UK on different visa types from the period 2021 to 2025.
In 2021, there were 24905 Pakistanis who entered the UK while 51506 Pakistanis arrived in the country during 2022. The number of Pakistanis coming to the UK was 79561 in 2023 and 62593 flew to the UK in 2024. The number of Pakistanis that visited the UK was 70700 in 2025. The figures also indicate the reason for the journey of these travellers.
During the five years, the UK welcomed a total of 86976 Pakistani students who had come on study visas. 37749 Pakistanis used tourist visas to visit other countries.
As per the ministry, the number of Pakistani tourists who travelled to the UK on visit visas for the years 2021 to 2025 is 133566. Work visas included 30974 Pakistanis who travelled to the UK in 2021, 2025.
Among the top destinations for students, workers, and visitors of Pakistan is the United Kingdom.
Good news for overseas Pakistanis as govt considers reducing mobile phone taxes
Earlier, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) is contemplating a decrease in taxes, on mobile phones imported into Pakistan from other countries a move that could offer substantial relief to Pakistanis living overseas.
At a session of the National Assembly’s Finance Committee FBR Chairman Rashid Langrial told legislators that the government is considering reducing duties on second-hand or inexpensive mobile phones imported by Pakistanis. He mentioned that the conclusive proposal regarding tax cuts is anticipated to be ready by March.
The Chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) informed the committee that 6 percent of mobile phones, in Pakistan are brought in from abroad whereas the other 94 percent are made domestically. He further mentioned that mobile phones produced locally have a tax rate of 5 to 6 percent, while imported phones face substantially higher tariffs.
Customs Member Shakeel Shah told the committee that the government gathered Rs. 82 Billion in tax revenue from all mobile phone sales with just Rs. 18 Billion originating from imported devices.
The proposed tax reduction is expected to make mobile phones more affordable for overseas Pakistanis and potentially increase the inflow of devices brought into the country.
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