Breakup of trade data in February: PBS

March 13, 2026 (MLN): Pakistan's trade deficit widened sharply on a month-on-month basis in February 2026, rising 10.55% MoM to $3.04bn, compared to $2.75bn recorded in January 2026, according to provisional data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).

On a yearly basis, the trade gap also deteriorated, expanding 6.70% from $2.85bn recorded in February 2025.

The monthly deterioration was driven primarily by a steep fall in exports, which more than offset a decline in imports.

Exports dropped 25.43% MoM to $2.28bn in February, down sharply from $3.06bn in January 2026. On a year-on-year basis, exports also declined 8.51% compared to $2.49bn recorded in February 2025.

Imports declined 8.39% MoM to $5.32bn in February, down from $5.81bn in January 2026. On a year-on-year basis, imports edged down marginally by 0.39% compared to $5.34bn in February 2025.

In rupee terms, exports during February 2026 stood at Rs636.94bn, marked a 25.55% decrease over January 2026 and an 8.43% decline compared to February 2025.

Imports amounted to Rs1.489tr, reflecting a decrease of 8.50% over January 2026 and a marginal decline of 0.15% compared to the same month last year.

As a result, the balance of trade in February 2026 stood at (-)Rs852.18bn in rupee terms and (-)$3.04bn in dollar terms.

On a cumulative basis, exports during July–February 2025-26 totalled $20.47bn, down 7.27% from $22.07bn in the corresponding period last year. Cumulative imports over the same period rose 8.21% to $45.57bn from $42.11bn.

The cumulative trade deficit for July–February 2025-26 stood at (-)$25.10bn, or (-)Rs7.07tr in rupee terms, widening 25.27% from (-)$20.04bn in the same period a year earlier.

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