Breakup of trade data in March: PBS

April 16, 2026 (MLN):  Pakistan's trade deficit narrowed on a month-on-month basis in March 2026, falling 5.81% MoM to $2.84bn, compared to $3.01bn recorded in February 2026, according to provisional data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).

On a yearly basis, however, the trade gap deteriorated, expanding 7.82% from $2.63bn recorded in March 2025.

The monthly improvement was driven by a decline in imports, as exports remained broadly flat.

Exports held nearly steady MoM, edging down just 0.04% to $2.28bn in March, compared to $2.28bn in February 2026. On a year-on-year basis, however, exports fell sharply by 13.99% compared to $2.65bn recorded in March 2025.

Imports declined 3.33% MoM to $5.11bn in March, down from $5.29bn in February 2026. On a year-on-year basis, imports also fell 3.11% compared to $5.28bn in March 2025.

In rupee terms, exports during March 2026 stood at Rs635.50bn, reflecting a decrease of 0.17% over February 2026 and a 14.21% decline compared to March 2025.

Imports amounted to Rs1.430tr, reflecting a decrease of 3.44% over February 2026 and a decline of 3.25% compared to the same month last year.

As a result, the balance of trade in March 2026 stood at (-)Rs794.83bn in rupee terms and (-)$2.84bn in dollar terms.

On a cumulative basis, exports during July–March 2025-26 totalled $22.74bn, down 7.99% from $24.72bn in the corresponding period last year. Cumulative imports over the same period rose 6.89% to $50.66bn from $47.39bn.

The cumulative trade deficit for July–March 2025-26 stood at (-)$27.91bn, or (-)Rs7.86tr in rupee terms, widening 23.13% from (-)$22.67bn in the same period a year earlier.

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