Pakistan's trade deficit surges over 38pc in first quarter of FY2025–26

ISLAMABAD (Mudasar Ali Rana) – Pakistan’s trade deficit widened by more than 38 percent during the first four months of the current fiscal year.

According to data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), the trade deficit between July and October 2025 stood at $12.58 billion, compared to $9.11 billion during the same period last year.

The report showed that exports declined by over 4 percent, totaling $10.448 billion from July to October, while imports rose by 15.13 percent, surpassing $23 billion.

In October alone, exports increased by 14 percent, reaching $2.84 billion, while the trade deficit for the month fell by 4.21 percent compared to September, standing at $3.20 billion.

However, imports in October were 3.57 percent lower than in September, and exports dropped 4.46 percent compared to October 2023.

Experts warn that the continuous rise in imports alongside falling exports is intensifying pressure on Pakistan’s already fragile economy.