Breakup of trade data in April: PBS

May 19, 2026 (MLN): Pakistan's trade deficit widened sharply on a month-on-month basis in April 2026, expanding 50.90% MoM to $4.28bn, compared to $2.84bn recorded in March 2026, according to revised data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).

On a yearly basis, the trade gap also deteriorated, widening 9.17% from $3.92bn recorded in April 2025.

The monthly deterioration was driven by a significant surge in imports, while exports also posted modest gains.

Exports rose 9.50% MoM to $2.48bn in April, up from $2.26bn in March 2026. On a year-on-year basis, exports also improved, climbing 14.03% compared to $2.17bn recorded in April 2025.

Imports surged 32.53% MoM to $6.76bn in April, up sharply from $5.10bn in March 2026. On a year-on-year basis, imports also increased 10.91% compared to $6.10bn in April 2025.

In rupee terms, exports during April 2026 stood at Rs691.59bn, reflecting an increase of 9.37% over March 2026 and a 13.34% rise compared to April 2025.

Imports amounted to Rs1.890tr, reflecting an increase of 32.38% over March 2026 and a rise of 10.40% compared to the same month last year.

As a result, the balance of trade in April 2026 stood at (-)Rs1.198tr in rupee terms and (-)$4.28bn in dollar terms.

On a cumulative basis, exports during July–April 2025-26 totalled $25.21bn, down 6.26% from $26.89bn in the corresponding period last year. Cumulative imports over the same period rose 7.33% to $57.41bn from $53.49bn.

The cumulative trade deficit for July–April 2025-26 stood at (-)$32.20bn, or (-)Rs9.06tr in rupee terms, widening 21.08% from (-)$26.59bn in the same period a year earlier.

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