Pakistan’s trade deficit widened by 30% year-on-year, reaching $2.87 billion in the second month of the current fiscal year 2025–26 (August), according to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).
The trade deficit was recorded at $2.20 billion in August 2024. The sharp increase in the trade deficit is primarily due to declining exports along with an increase in imports.
Exports stood at $2.42 billion in August 2025, which is 12.5% lower than the $2.76 billion recorded in August 2024.
Meanwhile, imports rose to $5.29 billion, up over 6% from $4.96 billion in the same month last year.
However, on a monthly basis, the trade deficit in August 2025 was 9% lower than July 2025, when it stood at $3.14 billion.
In the first two months of the current fiscal year (July and August), the country’s cumulative trade deficit rose by over 29%, reaching $6.01 billion, compared to $4.66 billion in the same period last year.
Exports during the two-month period saw a marginal increase, reaching $5.1 billion, up 0.6% from $5.06 billion in the same period last year.
Imports during the same period rose by 14%, totaling $11.12 billion, compared to $9.73 billion in the first two months of fiscal year 2024–25.
