Pakistan's trade gap with Gulf partners narrows

Pakistan’s trade shortfall with seven Gulf countries dropped 26.35 per cent to $2.85bn in July-September 2026, compared with $3.87bn in the same quarter last year. Dawn, citing State Bank of Pakistan data, attributed the change mainly to reduced imports alongside a moderate rise in exports.

Shipments to the region rose 10.96 per cent to $864.878m, while imports declined 20.02 per cent to $3.717bn. The UAE represented 66.21 per cent of Pakistan’s exports to the seven countries, and the UAE and Saudi Arabia together supplied 90 per cent of its energy imports.

Import payments to Kuwait and Qatar fell 97.46 per cent and 72.51 per cent respectively, although purchases from Oman climbed 97.40 per cent. Dawn also noted that conflict in the Middle East has disrupted trade since March, with Pakistan remaining reliant on Gulf energy and raw materials.