Pakistan’s trade deficit with nine neighbouring nations widens 27% to $5 billion as Chinese imports surge

Pakistan’s trade gap with nine neighbouring countries reached $4.97 billion in July-September FY2026-27, up 26.62% from $3.93 billion a year earlier, Profit by Pakistan Today reported, citing State Bank of Pakistan data. Regional exports fell 6.72% to $944.24 million, while imports climbed 19.79% to $5.92 billion.

China drove most of the deterioration: its imports from Pakistan rose 19.76% to $5.82 billion, while exports to China increased 17.95% to $663.57 million. The resulting bilateral deficit grew by $858.81 million, equal to more than four-fifths of the increase across the nine-country gap. Exports to Afghanistan plunged 88.34% to $18.86 million amid suspended trade, while shipments to Bangladesh also declined; Pakistan recorded no exports to India during the quarter.