Pakistan’s revised trade deficit narrows to $3.4bn in September

September 16, 2024 (MLN): Pakistan’s revised trade deficit for September 2025 stood at $3.4 billion, equivalent to ₨960.6bn, according to provisional figures released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).

The trade gap widened compared to the previous month, as a rise in imports outpaced moderate export growth.

On a cumulative basis, the July–September FY2025–26 trade deficit reached $9.43bn (₨2.67 trillion).

Exports from Pakistan during September 2025 amounted to ₨704bn ($2.5bn), up 3.0% MoM from ₨683.2bn ($2.42bn) in August 2025.

However, exports declined 10.8% YoY in rupee terms and 11.9% YoY in dollar terms compared to ₨789.2bn ($2.84bn) in September 2024.

During the first quarter of FY2025–26, total exports reached ₨2.15tr ($7.6bn), reflecting a contraction of 2.3% YoY in rupees and 3.9% YoY in dollar terms.

Major export commodities in September 2025 included; Knitwear: ₨130.99bn, Readymade garments ₨92.7bn, Bedwear ₨80.98bn, Cotton cloth ₨42.26bn, Towels ₨24.22bn, Made-up articles (excl. towels & bedwear) ₨19.79bn, Rice (others) ₨17.81bn, and Cotton yarn ₨17.81bn. 

Pakistan’s import bill swelled to ₨1.66tr ($5.9bn) in September 2025, showing an increase of 11.3% MoM and 16.5% YoY amid higher petroleum and machinery purchases.

For the July–September FY2025–26 period, total imports amounted to ₨4.82tr ($17.03bn), up 15.6% in rupee terms and 13.9% in dollar terms from the same period last year.

The top imported commodities in September 2025 were dominated by petroleum and industrial inputs, reflecting continued dependence on energy and manufacturing imports.

The leading items included petroleum crude (₨152.73 bn), petroleum products (₨114.41 bn), and palm oil (₨101.74 bn).

Other major imports comprised electrical machinery & apparatus (₨74.29 bn), plastic materials (₨66.54 bn), iron and steel (₨61.66 bn), and liquefied natural gas (LNG) (₨58.59 bn).

Imports of mobile phones (₨56.17 bn), iron & steel scrap (₨50.10 bn), and motor cars (CKD/SKD) (₨43.10 bn) also remained substantial.

Trade Performance Overview

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