ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Large-Scale Manufacturing (LSM) sector grew 2.69 per cent year-on-year in September, indicating a modest recovery in industrial production after the slowdown caused by recent floods, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). Month-on-month, the sector rose 2.05 per cent, reflecting gradual stabilisation across key industries.
During the first quarter of FY26, LSM posted a 4.08 per cent year-on-year increase, driven primarily by strong performances in the automobile and cement sectors. The automobile sector surged 84.58 per cent, led by a significant rise in the production of cars, jeeps, trucks, and buses. Cement and other construction-related industries also contributed positively to the quarterly growth.
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The food sector recorded a 6.94 per cent increase in July-September FY26, with wheat and rice milling up 9.30 per cent and cooking oil production up 8.54 per cent. Meanwhile, the textile sector saw only marginal growth of 1.88 per cent, with cotton yarn and cloth posting small gains amid weak export demand. Garment exports rose 2.43 per cent, although the sector faced a 2.18 per cent decline in September.
Other sectors showed mixed trends. Production of coke and petroleum products fell by 3.35 per cent, while diesel, kerosene, LPG, and lubricating oil saw significant growth. Pharmaceutical production dipped 4.81 per cent, and iron and steel production declined 3.52 per cent. Conversely, rubber products, non-metallic minerals, and electrical equipment saw double-digit growth, providing some balance to overall industrial performance.
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Analysts said the figures offer cautious optimism for Pakistan’s industrial recovery, although uneven sectoral performance and export challenges, especially in textiles and value-added goods, remain a concern for sustaining momentum in the LSM sector.