Service sector posts trade deficit of $281m in September

October 16, 2026 (MLN): The service sector of Pakistan posted a trade deficit of $281 million in September, reflecting an increase of 2.55% MoM, as compared to a deficit of $274m recorded in the previous month, the latest data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) showed.

Comparison on a yearly basis shows that the country reported a deficit of $155m in trade of services in the Same Period Last Year (SPLY), an increase of 81.29% YoY in the services deficit.

Details made available by SBP further revealed that the exports of services in September went up by 15.51% YoY to $931m compared to $806m in September 2025.

Likewise, on a month-wise basis, exports rose by 9.66% MoM compared to the figures for August 2026.

Amongst the total exports in the review month, Telecommunications, Computer, and Information Services made the largest contribution with an amount of $435m in September, witnessing an increase of 18.21% YoY compared to exports in SPLY.

Meanwhile, Other Business Services held the second position, bringing $199m in September into the country.

In terms of growth, receipts from the exports of this section went up by 13.07% YoY compared to $176m in the same period last year. On a sequential basis, other business services dropped by 6.13% MoM compared to exports of $212m in August 2026.

Furthermore, the export of transport and travel services contributed an amount of $106m and $100m, respectively, in the review period.

The imports of services during the month amounted to $1.212bn, which rose by 26.12% YoY compared to imports worth $961m in SPLY.

On a monthly basis, imports increased by 7.93% compared to $1.123bn recorded in the previous month.

Amongst the total imports, the largest expenditure was incurred on Transport for an amount of $508m, witnessing an increase of 10.43% YoY and an increase of 9.01% MoM.

The Travel services cost the country around $275m, recording an increase of 25.57% YoY and a decrease of 13.52% MoM.

On a cumulative basis, the services trade deficit during 1QFY27 (Jul-Sep) stood at $831m, a decline of 1.07% YoY compared to a deficit of $840m recorded in the same period last year.

Exports of services during the period rose by 22.81% YoY to $2.719bn compared to $2.214bn in 1QFY26, while imports increased by 16.24% YoY to $3.550bn compared to $3.054bn in the corresponding period last year.

Copyright Mettis Link News