Mining, quarrying sector draws largest FDI inflows in September

Mettis Global reported, citing provisional State Bank of Pakistan figures, that mining and quarrying drew the largest gross foreign direct investment inflows in September 2026, at $62.6 million with no outflows. The sector's net FDI matched that amount and made up 28.52 per cent of the country's total net FDI for the month. Over the first quarter of FY27, though, its net FDI of $102.7 million was 48.26 per cent below the level of a year earlier.

Financial business came second with net FDI of $55.8 million, built on $59.9 million of gross inflows against $4.1 million in outflows. The power sector recorded net FDI of $40.5 million, with hydel power at $28.4 million, coal power at $13.8 million and thermal power in a net outflow of $1.8 million. Trade added $27.5 million, transport equipment $26.0 million, mainly from buses, trucks, vans and trailers, and electronics posted a net outflow of $20.6 million.

Across the whole country, net FDI came to $219.5 million in September, down 30.52 per cent from August, while gross inflows of $292.7 million fell 27.17 per cent. Cumulative net FDI for July to September reached $719.7 million, 19.87 per cent higher than in the same period of FY26. The figures show investment softened from a stronger August, yet the quarter stayed ahead of last year.