ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s trade imbalance with nine regional countries has widened sharply, reaching $3.93 billion in the first quarter of fiscal year 2025–26, up 34% from $2.92 billion during the same period last year.
According to official data, Pakistan’s total exports to its neighbouring economies — including China, Afghanistan, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Iran, Nepal, Bhutan, and the Maldives — fell by 5% to $1.01 billion, while imports surged 24% to $4.94 billion.
The sharpest increase came from imports from China, which jumped nearly 25%, while exports to the country saw only a marginal rise of 0.6%. Exports to Afghanistan and Bangladesh declined by 20% and 5% respectively, further widening the overall trade gap.
Experts warn that Pakistan’s deepening regional deficit highlights persistent export stagnation and growing import dependency, posing new challenges for the country’s external financing and balance of payments stability.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.