Pakistan’s merchandise trade deficit widened to $3.88 billion in October 2026, rising 19.7 per cent from a year earlier, as imports grew much faster than exports, according to figures released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).
What happened?
The PBS data, published on Friday, November 6, 2026, shows the monthly trade gap widened both year-on-year and month-on-month. Imports rose 11.8 per cent from October 2025, while exports edged up only 2.8 per cent, leaving the external account under renewed pressure.
Key details
- The trade deficit stood at $3.877 billion in October 2026, up 19.7 per cent from $3.24 billion in October 2025.
- The deficit also rose 10.3 per cent from $3.515 billion in September 2026.
- Exports were $2.929 billion in October, up 2.8 per cent from $2.848 billion a year earlier.
- Imports reached $6.806 billion, up 11.8 per cent from $6.087 billion in October 2025.
- For the first four months of the current fiscal year (July–October), the deficit widened 16 per cent to $14.628 billion, from $12.614 billion in the same period last year.
- Exports during July–October rose 8.52 per cent to $11.34 billion, while imports climbed 12.59 per cent to $25.96 billion.
What it means for people in Pakistan
A wider trade gap puts pressure on the country’s foreign exchange reserves and the rupee, because more dollars leave the country to pay for imports than come in from exports. If the trend continues, it can feed into higher prices for imported goods, including fuel and machinery. Stronger export growth — rather than slower imports alone — is what would narrow the gap sustainably.
Source: https://thestandard.com.pk/pakistans-trade-deficit-widens-to-19-7-in-october/
