Service sector posts trade deficit of $286m in August

September 16, 2026 (MLN): The service sector of Pakistan posted a trade deficit of $286 million in August, reflecting an increase of 3.62% MoM, as compared to a deficit of $276m 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 $449m in trade of services in the Same Period Last Year (SPLY), a decline of 36.30% YoY in the services deficit.

Details made available by SBP further revealed that the exports of services in August went up by 28.80% YoY to $872m compared to $677m in August 2025.

Conversely, on a month-wise basis, exports dropped by 7.14% MoM compared to the figures for July 2026.

Amongst the total exports in the review month, Telecommunications, Computer, and Information Services made the largest contribution with an amount of $394m in August, witnessing an increase of 16.91% YoY compared to exports in SPLY.

Meanwhile, Other Business Services held the second position, bringing $209m in August into the country.

In terms of growth, receipts from the exports of this section went up by 35.71% YoY compared to $154m in the same period last year. On a sequential basis, other business services dropped by 0.95% MoM compared to exports of $211m in July 2026.

Furthermore, the export of transport and travel services contributed an amount of $86m and $110m, respectively, in the review period.

The imports of services during the month amounted to $1.158bn, which rose by 2.84% YoY compared to imports worth $1.126bn in SPLY.

On a monthly basis, imports declined compared to $1.215bn recorded in the previous month.

Amongst the total imports, the largest expenditure was incurred on Transport for an amount of $473m, witnessing an increase of 15.93% YoY and a decrease of 5.78% MoM.

The Travel services cost the country around $318m, recording a decrease of 11.17% YoY and a sharp increase of 9.66% MoM.

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