To understand Pakistan's economy, skip the textbooks. Sit with a family waiting for a WhatsApp message that says, "Money sent." That message changes the mood, a mental calculation of what can be paid first.

Last year, Pakistan received roughly 30.5 billion dollars in remittances. This year is moving at a similar pace, with more than 19 billion already recorded in the first seven months. In January alone, close to 3 billion dollars came in. Economists describe this as strong inflows. For families, it simply means the fridge can be filled and the electricity bill won't bounce.

Are remittances stabilising the economy? In plain terms, yes. They are one of the few steady sources of foreign currency the country can count on. When dollars come through banks, they help support foreign exchange reserves and ease pressure on the rupee. At a time when debt repayments are heavy and imports of fuel are unavoidable, that steady........

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