In a high-stakes review meeting chaired by the Minister for Commerce, Pakistan’s trade performance for July–August 2025–26 emerged as a beacon of resilience in turbulent global waters. Despite mounting international challenges, exports held firm at $5.11 billion, signaling a steady course for the nation’s economic engine.
Leading the charge was Pakistan’s textile and apparel sector, which posted a robust 10% growth, reaffirming its status as the backbone of the export economy. Notably, exports to Africa surged by 9% and South Asia by 7%, while performance in North America and the EU remained stable—a testament to the Ministry’s strategic push into emerging markets while fortifying traditional ones.
The uptick in imports—driven by energy, raw materials, and food—was interpreted not as a setback, but as a sign of growing domestic economic activity. The Minister emphasized that this trend opens doors for import substitution and local manufacturing investment, aligning with the Government’s flagship “Make in Pakistan” initiative.
To capitalize on these gains and address structural challenges, the Minister laid out a bold roadmap:
• Diversify exports into high-value and non-traditional sectors
• Develop import substitution strategies to curb reliance on food and energy imports
• Boost competitiveness and integrate into global value chains
• Accelerate value addition in textiles, agriculture, and manufacturing
Commending exporters for their resilience, the Minister reiterated the Government’s unwavering commitment to facilitating the business community, securing new market access, and driving sustainable trade growth.
The meeting concluded with a unified pledge: the Ministry of Commerce will remain laser-focused on building a resilient, diversified, and globally competitive trade sector—one that fuels Pakistan’s economic growth and job creation for years to come.
