According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, the country’s exports stood at USD 7.61 billion during July to September, compared to USD 7.91 billion in the same period last year. In September alone, exports contracted by 11.71% year-on-year to USD 2.51 billion — marking the fifth decline in the past six months.
This drop in exports comes at a time when imports have risen by 13.49%, pushing the trade deficit up to USD 9.37 billion in the first quarter, compared to USD 7.05 billion during the corresponding period last year.
Pakistan’s largest export sector — textiles — is currently under severe pressure, facing weak global demand on one hand and rising domestic production costs on the other. A recent example of this crisis is Gul Ahmed Textile Mills Limited, which has announced the closure of its export apparel segment due to sustained losses. The segment employed thousands of workers, and its shutdown underscores the strain even market leaders are facing.
The Pakistan Textile Council (PTC) has warned that the crisis extends beyond textiles. In recent months, several major multinational companies — including Procter & Gamble, Microsoft, Shell, TotalEnergies, Pfizer, Sanofi, and Careem — have either exited the Pakistani market or significantly scaled back their operations. Policy uncertainty, uncompetitive energy tariffs, heavy taxation, and regulatory hurdles have been cited as key factors behind these decisions.
