The gold imports, however recorded an increase of 314.13 percent when compared with the those of November 2011, according to data of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.

Gold imports in November 2012 stood at $16.387 million against those of $3.957 million and $30.006 million in November 2011 and October, 2012 respectively.

The yellow metal's imports during first five months of current fiscal year (July-November 2012) recorded an increase of 12.52 percent as compared to the same period of last year.

About 1393 kilogram of gold worth of US$ 74.812 million was imported during July-November 2012 where as during same period of last year 1254 kg of gold worth $66.49 million was imported.

The overall imports of metal group registered an increase of 14.38 per cent during July-November (2012-13) against the same period of last year.

The metal imports during the period under review were recorded at $1.293 billion against those of $1.13 billion during the same period of last year.

Imports of iron and steel scrap registered a growth of 31.05 percent during July-November (2012-13). Their imports were recorded at $290.248 million during the first five months of current fiscal year against those of $221.476 million during July-November (2011-12).

Imports of iron and steel edged up by 6.21 percent from $544.064 million last year to $577.852 million whereas the imports of aluminum wrought and worked decreased by 1.16 percent from $49.176 million to $48.604 million.

The imports of all other metal and articles were recorded at $301.426 million during the period under review against those of $249.188 million last year posting a growth of 20.96 percent.

The overall imports decreased by 0.91 percent during first five months of current financial year whereas exports from the country witnessed positive growth of 7.85 percent, indicating a positive trend in the overall trade volume of the country.

The imports decreased from US$18.416 billion last year to US$18.25 billion during the current fiscal year, the data revealed.