Influencer Shares Regret Over Bringing USD to Pakistan Through Bank Alfalah

A viral social media thread has sparked widespread debate after overseas Pakistani Furqan Shayk shared his frustrating experience of trying to bring his USD earnings back to Pakistan through Bank Alfalah. Posted on April 14, the thread quickly gained nearly 200,000 views, highlighting serious concerns around the country’s banking processes. Shayk explained that his intention was simple—support Pakistan’s economy by keeping his foreign earnings within the country—but what followed was months of stress. Despite providing verified payment tracking from META, including reference numbers and a complete transaction trail, the funds were never credited nor traced by the bank. The situation worsened when, according to Shayk, a branch manager responded dismissively, saying “Apne jo karna hai karlo,” raising questions about customer service standards. After four months of unresolved issues, Shayk stopped sending money altogether and expressed reluctance to invest in Pakistan again. The incident is particularly concerning given Pakistan’s reliance on remittances, which reached $35 billion in FY2025. While initiatives like Roshan Digital Accounts aim to attract overseas funds, such experiences risk eroding trust in the system.