Karachi, Pakistan’s bustling port city, continues to play a pivotal role in the nation’s trade activities, handling a significant portion of both exports and imports, according to the latest assessment report by Pakistan Single Window (PSW).

The report highlights that Karachi’s ports, including Port Qasim and Karachi Port East and West, manage an impressive 76 percent of the country’s exports. Port Qasim (PQA) leads the charge with a substantial 40.4 percent share of total exports, followed by Karachi Port (KPT) at 34.3 percent.

The Lahore Air Freight Unit is the third busiest, managing about 8.1 percent of Pakistan’s total exports, primarily focusing on surgical goods and medicaments.

Other notable contributors to the export landscape include the Islamabad Air Freight Unit, Sialkot, and Lahore Dry, with shares of 3.42 percent, 3.44 percent, and 1.79 percent, respectively. Smaller contributions come from Chaman (1.77 percent), Faisalabad (0.48 percent), Ghulam Khan (0.2 percent), and Quetta (0.17 percent). Ports like Kharlachi KPK, Multan, and Peshawar account for 0.15 percent, 0.08 percent, and 0.08 percent, respectively, while Multan Dry, Angoor Ada, Gujranwala, Saindak, Risalpur, Gwadar, and Sust collectively represent minor shares ranging from 0.06 percent to 0.01 percent.

On the international front, the United States emerges as Pakistan’s largest export partner, accounting for 5.5 percent of total exports. China and Germany follow with 3.2 percent and 2.5 percent shares, respectively. The United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates also feature prominently, with export shares of 2.2 percent and 1.3 percent by 2022.

In terms of imports, Karachi’s ports are equally dominant, handling about 83 percent of all imports into Pakistan. MCC Appraisement Karachi East leads with a 19.13 percent contribution to the total import value, closely followed by MCC PMBQ-Bulk at 18.54 percent. Other significant players include MCC Appraisement Karachi West, Port Qasim (Imports)-Karachi, and MCC Appraisement – East Wharf.

The total value of imported commodities across all collectorates stands at $10.128 billion, underscoring Karachi’s critical role in managing the nation’s trade flow.