ISLAMABAD, Nov 18 (Wealth Pakistan): Pakistan’s external trade performance showed mixed results in October 2025, with exports posting strong month-on-month growth while imports also recorded a significant rise, according to provisional data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).
Export growth strengthens but remains below last year
Exports in October 2025 totaled Rs. 800,841 million, showing an increase of 13.79 percent from Rs. 703,779 million in September 2025. However, exports were 3.29 percent lower than Rs. 828,052 million recorded in October 2024. In US dollar terms, exports stood at 2,849 million dollars, up 14.01 percent month-on-month but 4.46 percent lower than 2,982 million dollars a year earlier.
During July–October 2025, cumulative exports reached Rs. 2,950,407 million compared with Rs. 3,028,942 million in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year, showing a decline of 2.59 percent. Dollar-based exports totaled 10,447 million dollars, down 4.05 percent from 10,888 million dollars last year.
Major export items included knitwear at Rs. 135,262 million, readymade garments at Rs. 104,249 million, bedwear at Rs. 81,814 million, petroleum products excluding top naphtha at Rs. 59,650 million, and cotton cloth at Rs. 40,347 million. Other notable items were rice (others) at Rs. 30,537 million, towels at Rs. 25,408 million, made-up articles at Rs. 19,100 million, cotton yarn at Rs. 15,876 million, and basmati rice at Rs. 15,195 million.
PBS data showed substantial variations among categories. Petroleum products excluding top naphtha increased by 507.44 percent over September 2025 and 597.91 percent over October 2024. Rice (others) rose 71.42 percent month-on-month, while basmati rice increased 31.29 percent. Cotton yarn declined 10.86 percent from September 2025, and cotton cloth fell 4.53 percent. Year-on-year, rice (others) dropped 62.55 percent and basmati rice 20.29 percent.
Imports rise sharply on yearly basis
Pakistan’s imports in October 2025 reached Rs. 1,726,145 million, up 4.69 percent from Rs. 1,648,853 million in September 2025 and 23.33 percent higher than Rs. 1,399,579 million in October 2024. In dollar terms, imports totaled 6,131 million dollars, an increase of 4.84 percent month-on-month and 21.65 percent year-on-year.
Cumulative imports for July–October 2025 amounted to Rs. 6,529,174 million compared with Rs. 5,569,160 million last year, an increase of 17.24 percent. Dollar-based imports reached 23,105 million dollars, up 15.51 percent from 20,003 million dollars recorded in the same period a year earlier.
Major imported items included petroleum crude at Rs. 152,957 million, petroleum products at Rs. 152,860 million, palm oil at Rs. 91,253 million, and iron and steel at Rs. 69,923 million. Other items included electrical machinery at Rs. 69,572 million, plastic materials at Rs. 64,131 million, LNG at Rs. 58,820 million, iron and steel scrap at Rs. 54,502 million, motor cars (CKD/SKD) at Rs. 48,156 million, and mobile phones at Rs. 40,710 million.
Trade deficit widens further
PBS reported the trade balance for October 2025 at Rs. -925,304 million and -3,282 million dollars. The cumulative trade balance for July–October 2025 stood at Rs. -3,578,767 million and -12,658 million dollars.