Service sector trade surplus posts $24m in April

May 18, 2026 (MLN): The service sector of Pakistan posted a trade surplus of $24 million in April, a decline of 59.32% MoM, as compared to a surplus of $59m 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 $162 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 April went up by 21.7% YoY to $914m compared to $751m in April 2025.

Similarly, on a month wise basis, exports rose by 0.33% MoM compared to the figures for March 2026.

Cumulatively in 9MFY26, services exports climbed by 17.06% YoY to $7.348bn compared to exports of $6.277bn in 9MFY25.

Amongst the total exports in the review month, Telecommunications, Computer, and Information Services made the largest contribution with an amount of $423m in April, witnessing an increase of 33.44% YoY compared to exports in SPLY.

Meanwhile, Other Business Services held the second position, bringing $190m in April into the country.

In terms of growth, receipts from the exports of this section went up by 9.83% YoY compared to $173m in the same period last year.

On a sequential basis, other business services dropped by 3.06% MoM compared to exports of $196m in March 2026.

Furthermore, the export of transport and travel services contributed an amount of $83m and $117m, respectively in the review period.

The imports of services during the year amounted to $890m, which rose by 2.52% YoY compared to imports worth $913m in SPLY.

On a monthly basis, imports have increased compared to $852m recorded in the previous month.

Going forward, the imports during 9MFY26, stood at $9.494bn, up by 10.65% YoY compared with the number during 9MFY25.

Amongst the total imports, the largest expenditure was incurred on Transport for an amount of $377m, witnessing a decline of 5.68% YoY and 2.35% MoM.

The Travel services cost the country around $198m, recording an increase of 64.79% YoY and 23.16% MoM.