Pakistan recorded a trade deficit of $2.8 billion in March 2026, as exports fell sharply while imports fared better, although still down, according to the latest data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.
On a cumulative basis, Pakistan’s trade deficit during the first nine months of FY26 increased to $27.9 billion, showing a 23.1 percent year-on-year rise.
While imports have softened slightly, the sharper drop in exports remains the bigger concern for the external sector.
Exports for the month stood at $2.275 billion, reflecting a 14 percent year-on-year decline, while remaining broadly flat on a monthly basis.
Imports, meanwhile, came in at about $5.1 billion, down 3.1 percent from the same month last year and lower by around 3.3 percent month on month.
Because exports fell faster than imports, the monthly trade gap widened on an annual basis.