Pakistan's exports up 7.7% to $8.5 billion in July to September; imports jump 14.1% to $17.8 billion

Pakistan's exports rose 7.7% to $8.5 billion in the first quarter of the 2026-27 financial year (July to September), but imports grew almost twice as fast, up 14.1% to $17.8 billion, according to the Finance Ministry's monthly economic outlook, ARY News reported on 29 October.

The numbers

On those figures the goods trade gap for the quarter is about $9.3 billion (our calculation: imports minus exports), or roughly Rs 2.57 trillion at today's interbank rate of about Rs 276.76 to the dollar. September's gap alone was about $3.2 billion.

Why it matters

Exports are what earn the dollars Pakistan uses to pay for imports. When imports grow faster, the gap has to be covered by remittances, loans or reserves, and that is what decides whether the rupee holds steady. A strong September for exports is good news, but September imports grew by 22.7%, the faster of the two.

Part of the import rise is fuel. With LNG short, more diesel and furnace oil had to be bought for power plants, which also feeds into electricity bills (see our story on the Rs 2.56 per unit fuel adjustment sought for November). Earlier this week the government also ordered a five-year plan to lift kinnow exports.

The ministry's report did not break the totals down by product. The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics publishes the detailed trade figures each month.

What to watch

• The dollar rate: follow it on our USD to PKR page, and convert any amount with the currency converter.
• Inflation: the Finance Ministry expects October inflation at 9.5% to 10.5%; the latest reading is on our CPI page.