Service sector trade deficit posts $370m in December

January 19, 2026 (MLN):The service sector of Pakistan posed a trade deficit of $370 million in December, reflecting an increase of 1.2x MoM, as compared to a deficit of $168m 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 $250 m in trade of services in the Same Period Last Year (SPLY).

Details made available by SBP further revealed that the exports of services in December went up by 15.99% YoY to $936m compared to $807m in December 2025.

Similarly, on a month wise basis, exports rose by 16.13% MoM compared to the figures for November 2025.

Cumulatively in 6MFY26, services exports climbed by 16.48% YoY to $4.765bn compared to exports of $4.091bn in 6MFY25.

Amongst the total exports in the review month, Telecommunications, Computer, and Information Services made the largest contribution with an amount of $437m in December, witnessing an increase of 25.57% YoY compared to exports in SPLY.

Meanwhile, Other Business Services held the second position, bringing $198m in December into the country.

In terms of growth, receipts from the exports of this section went up by 28.57% YoY compared to $154m in the same period last year.

On a sequential basis, other business services surged by 15.12% MoM compared to exports of $172m in November 2025.

Furthermore, the export of transport and travel services contributed an amount of $88m and $108m, respectively in the review period.

The imports of services during the year amounted to $1.306bn, which rose by 23.56% YoY compared to imports worth $1.057bn in SPLY.

On a monthly basis, imports have increased compared to $974m recorded in the previous month.

Going forward, the imports during 6MFY26, stood at $6.503bn, up by 15.69% YoY compared with the number during 6MFY25.

Amongst the total imports, the largest expenditure was incurred on Transport for an amount of $462m, witnessing a decrease by 10.2% YoY.

The Travel services cost the country around $373m, recording an increase of 68.75% YoY and 36.71% MoM.

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