Pakistan’s Trade Deficit Widens to $34.76 Billion in 11 Months

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s trade deficit has widened to $34.76 billion during the first 11 months of the current fiscal year, according to official data.

The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) reported that the trade deficit increased by 17.48 percent during July–May of the fiscal year.

However, on a monthly basis, the deficit in May recorded a decline of 39.43 percent compared to the previous month and a year-on-year decrease of 13.68 percent. The trade deficit for May 2026 stood at $2.582 billion.

According to PBS, exports during the first 11 months of the fiscal year fell by 5.61 percent to $27.9 billion. In May alone, exports increased by 9.59 percent month-on-month and 1.26 percent year-on-year, reaching $2.705 billion.

Imports rose by 5.94 percent during July–May, reaching $62.66 billion. However, imports in May 2026 declined by 21.45 percent on a monthly basis and 6.63 percent compared to the same period last year, standing at $5.29 billion.

The data highlights continued pressure on Pakistan’s external account despite some monthly improvements in exports and reduction in imports.