Pakistan’s trade deficit surges 20% YoY to $3.9bn in October 2026

Pakistan’s trade deficit widened nearly 20% year on year to $3.88 billion in October 2026, according to data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics reported by Business Recorder. Imports rose nearly 12% to $6.81 billion, while exports increased just 2.8% to $2.93 billion.

The gap also grew more than 10% from September’s $3.52 billion. Across the first four months of FY2026-27, the deficit climbed nearly 16% to $14.63 billion, with imports up over 12% to $25.96 billion and exports rising over 8% to $11.34 billion. The report cited Pakistan’s dependence on imports including fuel, machinery, chemicals and food, while noting challenges facing exports such as high energy tariffs, taxation and financing costs.