ISLAMABAD (PEN) : Pakistan’s trade deficit widened by 9% year-on-year in the fiscal year 2024-25, reaching $26.3 billion, according to the latest figures released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). This marks a significant increase from the $24.1 billion deficit recorded in the previous fiscal year.
Exports and Imports Both Increase
Exports grew modestly by 4.7%, climbing to $32.1 billion in FY25 from $30.7 billion in FY24. Analysts suggest that while the uptick is positive, long-term sustainability will require broader reforms.
“Sustainable double-digit export growth will require political and economic stability, energy reforms, and global competitiveness,” stated a report by Topline Securities.
Imports, meanwhile, increased by 6.6% to $58.4 billion, up from $54.8 billion in the previous year—outpacing the rise in exports and thereby contributing to the widening trade gap.
June 2025 Sees Slight Deficit Improvement
On a positive note, Pakistan’s trade deficit in June 2025 saw a minor year-on-year decline of 3.4%, recorded at $2.3 billion compared to $2.4 billion in June 2024. The improvement was attributed to a steeper drop in imports than in exports.
June 2025 exports were down 0.6% at $2.54 billion versus $2.56 billion in the same month last year. Imports dropped 2% to $4.86 billion from $4.96 billion in June 2024.
On a month-on-month basis, the trade deficit contracted by 9.5% in June compared to $2.57 billion in May 2025, suggesting a possible short-term stabilization in trade flows.
