Pakistan posts $356mn current account deficit in Sept 2026

The external account slipped into a $356 million shortfall in September 2026, according to Business Recorder, which cited State Bank of Pakistan figures released on Friday. That compares with a revised August 2026 deficit of $73 million, which was first reported at $98 million. In September 2025 the account had been in surplus by $133 million.

The widening gap reflected a far steeper import bill, while exports rose only marginally during the month. Total exports of goods and services came to $3.95 billion, up more than 15 per cent from $3.42 billion a year earlier. Imports climbed over 23 per cent to $7.38 billion, and workers' remittances rose nearly 13 per cent to $3.59 billion.

Over the first three months of FY27, the cumulative shortfall reached $874 million, compared with $755 million in the same period last year, a 16 per cent increase. Topline Securities projected a FY27 current account deficit of between $2 billion and $3 billion, equal to 0.4% to 0.6% of GDP. Separately, the real effective exchange rate index rose marginally by 0.98% to 108.93 in September 2026, from 107.87 in August.