Pakistan’s trade deficit widened sharply during fiscal year 2025-26, climbing nearly 50 percent year-on-year to almost $40 billion, as imports surged while exports declined, according to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).
The cumulative trade deficit reached $39.47 billion in FY26, compared with $26.27 billion recorded in FY25.
Total imports increased 19.8 percent year-on-year to $69.60 billion, while exports fell 6.2 percent to $30.13 billion, significantly widening the country’s trade gap.
June also recorded a steep deterioration in external trade. The monthly trade deficit stood at $4.53 billion, up 90.9 percent from $2.37 billion in June 2025 and 75.5 percent higher than $2.58 billion recorded in May 2026.
Exports during June totaled $2.24 billion, down 9.6 percent from a year earlier. Meanwhile, imports surged 39.6 percent year-on-year to $6.77 billion, driving the sharp increase in the monthly trade deficit.
The latest figures reflect growing pressure on Pakistan’s external account as import growth continues to outpace exports despite efforts to strengthen the country’s export sector.
