Pakistan’s remittances rise, imports grow and deficit widens

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s remittances increased by 9.3 per cent during the first four months of the fiscal year 2025-26, with inflows reaching $11.85 billion between July and October. Exports during the same period rose by two per cent to $10.6 billion.

According to the monthly economic update issued by the Ministry of Finance, imports surged by 9.6 per cent to $20.7 billion, while the current account deficit crossed $730 million between July and October.

The report stated that foreign direct investment fell by 26 per cent, amounting to $747.7 million. The dollar appreciated by Rs2.60 compared to last year, and was recorded at Rs280.60 on November 27, whereas it stood at Rs278 during the same period last year.

The Ministry of Finance revealed that tax revenue reached Rs3.834 trillion, increasing by 11.4 per cent between July and October. Non-tax revenue, however, decreased by 0.4 per cent to Rs3.008 trillion.

During this period, the budget surplus stood at Rs2.119 trillion while the primary balance exceeded Rs3.497 trillion.

The report further noted that the agriculture sector received Rs845 billion in loans during the first four months of the fiscal year — reflecting an 18.6 per cent increase compared to last year — while lending to the private sector declined sharply.

According to the Finance Ministry, large-scale manufacturing recorded a 4.08 per cent growth between July and September.