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Pakistan’s Trade Deficit Soars 46% in September as Imports Rise, Exports Fall

Fresh PBS figures raise concerns over reserves, rupee stability, government current‑account targets.

Overview

  • Official data show a September goods trade gap of about $3.34 billion, up nearly 46% year on year, with imports at $5.85 billion and exports at $2.5 billion.
  • For July–September, the deficit widened to roughly $9.4 billion, about one third higher than a year earlier, as imports reached ~$17.0 billion and exports fell to $7.6 billion.
  • Compared with August, the monthly gap expanded 16.3%, with imports staying above $5 billion for a third straight month.
  • Economists warn the widening goods shortfall, alongside a larger August services deficit of $437 million, could pressure foreign reserves and the rupee.
  • Remittances totaled about $6.4 billion in Q1, up 7%, offering partial support as the government pursues IMF‑linked tariff cuts and a $500 million full‑year current‑account projection faces risk.