Pakistan’s trade deficit widened sharply in February, rising 8.4 percent to $298.1 million, highlighting ongoing pressure on the country’s external sector amid falling exports and persistent import demand.
The first eight months of the current financial year saw the trade gap surge by 25 percent, surpassing $25 billion as imports continued to outpace exports, reflecting structural imbalances in the economy.
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Exports in February fell dramatically by 25.6 percent, totaling $227.2 million, while over the eight-month period, export earnings dropped 7.3 percent to $2,046.2 million, signalling slowing foreign demand for Pakistan’s goods.
Imports for February stood at $525.3 million, marking a 9.5 percent decline compared to the previous month, and a 1.6 percent decrease year-on-year, although total import values for the eight-month period rose 8.1 percent overall.
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Economic analysts say the combination of falling exports and rising imports continues to strain foreign exchange reserves, increasing pressure on policymakers to implement measures to stabilize the trade balance and protect the economy.
Government authorities and trade experts have called for enhanced export incentives, diversification of export markets, and tighter monitoring of import patterns to reduce Pakistan’s trade deficit and improve long-term economic resilience.