Pakistan’s trade deficit surged nearly 20% year-on-year to $3.88 billion in October 2026, up from $3.24 billion in the same month last year.
During the period, imports outpaced export growth, according to Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) data released Friday.
Exports increased 2.8% to $2.93 billion, while imports rose nearly 12% to $6.81 billion. On a monthly basis, the trade gap widened by more than 10% from $3.52 billion in September.
During the first four months of fiscal year 2026-27, the deficit expanded nearly 16% to $14.63 billion from $12.61 billion a year earlier. Imports climbed over 12% to $25.96 billion, while exports grew more than 8% to $11.34 billion.
Waqas Ghani, head of research at JS Global, warned that the widening trade gap could pressure the current account and foreign exchange reserves, particularly if global energy prices remain elevated.
He said Pakistan’s external stability would continue to depend on remittances and services exports amid sluggish growth in goods exports.
