ISLAMABAD, Nov 20 (Wealth Pakistan): Pakistan’s services sector recorded strong export growth in September. However, the overall services trade balance remained in deficit, according to the Monthly Trade Report for October 2025 issued by the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP). The report includes the latest compiled services data for September and the July–September period.
September sees 20% rise in services exports
Pakistan’s services exports for September 2025-26 reached 796.73 million dollars. Last year, these exports stood at 662.52 million dollars, showing an increase of 20.26 percent.
Services imports during the same month amounted to 995.23 million dollars. These were 964.67 million dollars last year, showing a rise of 3.17 percent.
This resulted in a services trade deficit of 198.50 million dollars. The deficit was lower than the 302.15 million dollars recorded in September last year, showing a decrease of 34.30 percent.
July–September period shows higher exports but wider deficit
For July–September, Pakistan’s services exports totaled 2,199.12 million dollars. Last year, the figure stood at 1,914.85 million dollars, marking an increase of 14.85 percent.
Services imports for the same period reached 3,129.59 million dollars, compared with 2,814.80 million dollars last year, reflecting a rise of 11.18 percent.
The services trade deficit for July–September stood at 930.47 million dollars. Last year, the deficit amounted to 899.95 million dollars, showing an increase of 3.39 percent.
Services sector remains an important contributor
The report notes that the services sector continues to play an important role in Pakistan’s external trade flows. Export growth during September outpaced last year’s performance. However, higher imports kept the services balance in negative territory for both the monthly and cumulative periods.
The TDAP report states that the data is provisional and based on information from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics and other official sources. These figures may be revised once final numbers become available.
Broader trade trends mirror services performance
The broader trade context from the goods sector, also included in the report, shows similar patterns. Goods imports rose during July–October, contributing to a wider overall trade deficit. Despite this, the services sector showed relatively stronger year-on-year export growth, helping partially offset losses in the goods account.
The report notes that the services figures were compiled as part of TDAP’s regular monthly monitoring and reflect data available up to November 17, 2025.