Pakistan’s trade deficit rises 28% to $22bn in July-January

Pakistan’s trade deficit significantly increased by 28.22% to $22.04 billion in the first seven months of the current fiscal year (7MFY26), as compared to the same period of the previous year, data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) showed on Monday.

The country’s trade balance, the gap between exports and imports, was recorded at a deficit of $17.19 billion in July-January of the previous fiscal year (7MFY25).

The trade deficit expanded year-on-year (YoY) in the said period, driven by higher imports and a decrease in exports.

Exports in 7MFY26 stood at $18.20 billion, down 7.1% against $19.58 billion recorded in the same period of FY25.

Also read: Pakistan’s trade deficit surges 24% YoY to $3.7bn in December 2025

Imports were recorded at $40.23 billion, up 9.42% against $36.77 billion in the same period last year.

Exports cross $3 billion in January 2026

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s exports clocked in at $3.06 billion in January 2026, up 3.73% against $2.95 billion recorded in January 2025.

On the other hand, imports stood at $5.79 billion in January 2026, down 1.41% against $5.87 billion recorded in the same period the previous year.

Also read: Inflation in Pakistan clocks in at 5.8% in January 2026

In January 2026, the country’s trade deficit stood at $2.72 billion, down 6.61% against $2.92 billion in January 2025.

On a monthly basis, Pakistan’s trade deficit declined 28.53% against $3.81 recorded in December 2025.