pakistan exports rise
| |

Pakistan exports rise 13.1% to $3.94 billion in Ju…

ByJustpaste.in

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s exports of goods and services rose by 13.1 percent year-on-year to $3.94 billion in July 2026, providing an encouraging start to the new fiscal year and signalling continued improvement in the country’s external sector.

Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal shared the figures on Saturday while presenting the Monthly Development Update for August 2026. He said exports stood at $3.48 billion in July 2025, meaning the latest increase reflects stronger performance across several major export categories.

According to the minister, merchandise exports increased by 9.4 percent to around $3 billion in July 2026 from $2.8 billion a year earlier. When services exports are included, the combined figure reached approximately $3.9 billion, compared with $3.5 billion in July last year.

Key export sectors show growth

Ahsan Iqbal said the improvement in exports was supported by higher shipments across several important sectors. Surgical goods recorded the strongest growth among the highlighted export groups, increasing by 16.3 percent.

Food exports rose by 8 percent, while leather goods registered growth of 7.8 percent. Textile exports, one of Pakistan’s largest sources of foreign exchange, also increased by 3.9 percent during the month.

The minister said the figures indicated that Pakistan’s external sector had started the new fiscal year on a positive trajectory, although maintaining this momentum would require continued reforms, improved competitiveness and greater diversification of export products and markets.

Manufacturing sector stages strong recovery

The positive external-sector performance coincided with a broad-based recovery in domestic industrial activity.

According to Ahsan, Large-Scale Manufacturing (LSM) expanded by 5 percent during fiscal year 2025-26, reversing a 0.74 percent contraction recorded in the preceding fiscal year.

He said the recovery was spread across the industrial sector, with 16 of the 22 LSM sectors registering positive growth.

The automobile sector posted the highest increase at 57.8 percent, followed by transport equipment at 42.4 percent. Electrical equipment production grew by 14.3 percent, tobacco by 12.6 percent and food manufacturing by 7 percent.

The figures, he said, reflected an improvement in industrial activity and could provide support to investment, employment and overall economic growth if the recovery remains sustained.

FBR collection, remittances improve

The government also reported improvement in tax revenues at the beginning of FY2026-27.

Federal Board of Revenue tax collection increased by 8.4 percent to Rs820.9 billion in July 2026, according to the minister. He said stronger revenue mobilisation, together with fiscal discipline, was helping improve the country’s overall financial position.

Workers’ remittances also remained a major source of support for Pakistan’s external account. Remittance inflows reached $3.63 billion in July 2026, up 13 percent from approximately $3.2 billion in the same month of 2025.

Ahsan said the latest increase followed record remittances of $41.6 billion received during the previous fiscal year.

He noted that remittances not only strengthened Pakistan’s foreign exchange position but also provided direct financial support to millions of households across the country.

Current account deficit remains contained

Despite continued pressure on the external account, the current account deficit remained relatively contained.

The deficit stood at $328 million in July 2026, compared with $529 million during the same month of the previous year. The minister described the development as another indication of improved external-sector stability.

He also highlighted the growing contribution of Pakistan’s technology sector. Information and Communication Technology exports reached $417 million in July 2026, underlining the increasing role of digital services in generating foreign exchange.

The government has been seeking to expand technology exports as part of a broader strategy to diversify Pakistan’s sources of external earnings beyond traditional sectors such as textiles and agricultural products.

Inflation moderates

Ahsan Iqbal also pointed to a moderation in consumer price pressures at the start of the new fiscal year.

Consumer Price Index inflation eased to 9.2 percent in July 2026, compared with 11.7 percent in May 2026. The minister said the decline suggested that inflationary pressures were beginning to moderate.

He added that changes in the year-on-year inflation rate were also influenced by base effects as well as the impact of international food and energy prices.

The government is aiming to maintain price stability while supporting economic activity and protecting the purchasing power of households.

Fiscal position strengthens

The planning minister said Pakistan’s fiscal position had also improved significantly during FY2025-26.

The fiscal deficit narrowed to 2.6 percent of GDP from 5.4 percent in FY2024-25. According to Ahsan, this represented the lowest fiscal deficit recorded in two decades.

He said stronger fiscal management would remain essential during FY2026-27 as the government seeks to maintain macroeconomic stability while creating room for development spending and economic expansion.

Development spending and job creation

Public investment is another major component of the government’s economic strategy.

Projects approved during July 2026 are expected to create around 7,851 direct jobs and 14,053 indirect employment opportunities across different sectors. The minister said employment generation would remain an important objective of development planning, particularly as the country seeks to create greater opportunities for its young population.

He said Pakistan had undergone a difficult period of economic adjustment and that the stability achieved in recent years had required significant effort.

Under the government’s URAAN Pakistan initiative, the next phase would focus on converting macroeconomic stability into long-term economic transformation, with exports positioned as a key driver of growth.

According to Ahsan, higher exports could help generate employment, increase household incomes, expand opportunities for young people and improve living standards.

Rs211.3 billion authorised for development projects

The Ministry of Planning authorised Rs211.327 billion, equivalent to 21.1 percent of the relevant allocation, during July 2026 to facilitate timely financing for priority development projects.

The minister said the move was aimed at ensuring that strategically important schemes received funding without unnecessary delays.

During July, the Central Development Working Party (CDWP) also reviewed a number of development proposals. It approved nine projects, three position papers and one concept clearance proposal, while nine projects were recommended for consideration by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC).

Three projects were deferred, while one project and one position paper were returned to their respective sponsoring agencies for further review and necessary amendments.

Government seeks more efficient development spending

Ahsan said the government had also undertaken a detailed review of projects considered by the CDWP in an effort to eliminate unnecessary components and improve the use of limited public funds.

The review resulted in the streamlining of non-essential components and generated savings of Rs1.02 billion during July 2026.

The minister said these savings would allow scarce development resources to be redirected towards projects with greater economic and social impact.

He maintained that the government’s focus in FY2026-27 would remain on sustaining the economic recovery, consolidating fiscal and external stability, accelerating structural reforms and improving the effectiveness of development expenditure.

Similar Posts

  • |

    Bangladesh hands ODI captaincy to Litton Das, drops Mehidy

    ByJustpaste.in

    Bangladesh has a new face leading its One-day International side. Litton Das has officially taken over ODI captaincy duties from Mehidy Hasan Miraz, with the Bangladesh Cricket Board confirming the change on Wednesday. The decision comes not long after Bangladesh suffered a series defeat against Zimbabwe earlier this month. It is worth noting that the shift only affects the ODI format. Najmul Hossain will keep his position as Test captain, so the two roles remain separate. Litton was already Bangladesh’s T20 captain before this appointment. With this move, he now leads two of the three formats, while the board continues its approach of splitting captaincy responsibilities. Board president Tamim Iqbal explained that having separate leaders for white-ball and red-ball cricket was part of preparations for next year’s ODI World Cup, which South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe will jointly host. Tamim spoke positively about Mehidy’s time as captain, highlighting his strong results across several series. Still, he pointed to a dip in Mehidy’s batting form as the main reason behind the change. He mentioned having a conversation with Mehidy directly and said the outgoing captain was understanding of the board’s decision. Mehidy stepped into the ODI captaincy role about a year ago, replacing Najmul, who had briefly captained the team in all three formats. During his tenure, Bangladesh secured ten wins out of twenty ODIs. The early stretch of his captaincy was difficult, with the team losing several matches in a row. Things improved significantly afterward, as Bangladesh strung together four consecutive series wins at home against the West Indies, Pakistan, New Zealand, and Australia. That momentum slowed following the away series loss to Zimbabwe. This is not new territory for Litton either. He previously captained Bangladesh in seven ODIs, a stretch that included a memorable series win over India in 2022. Tamim also addressed questions surrounding Bangladesh’s proposed home series against India in September. He said he remained hopeful the tour would proceed, describing Bangladesh as a safe environment for visiting teams. He added that talks with India’s cricket board had been going well and that more clarity was expected soon. This uncertainty follows an earlier standoff, when Bangladesh’s previous board opted out of playing in India during this year’s T20 World Cup due to security concerns tied to a Bangladeshi bowler’s IPL release. Tamim acknowledged that some decisions were beyond his control, since government involvement plays a role too, but said an update should come soon.

  • | | |

    Pakistan requests $10bn US foreign exchange stabil…

    ByJustpaste.in

    Pakistan has requested a $10 billion foreign exchange stabilization facility from the United States in an effort to strengthen its economy and improve its external financial position. The proposed facility is expected to help increase the country’s foreign exchange reserves, ease pressure on the Pakistani rupee, and reduce dependence on emergency financial assistance from international lenders. According to reports, the Pakistani government has submitted a formal proposal to US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent seeking a five-year bilateral Exchange Stabilization Support Facility. If approved, the financial arrangement could provide Pakistan with greater economic stability at a time when the country continues to face external financing challenges. The proposed fund is designed to support Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves, which remain under pressure despite recent improvements in the country’s economic outlook. Stronger reserves would help stabilize the rupee, improve investor confidence, and provide the government with greater flexibility in managing external debt repayments. The request comes after Pakistan’s reported diplomatic efforts during the Iran conflict. According to the report, Islamabad played a facilitating role in communication between Tehran and Washington. The diplomatic engagement is believed to have enhanced Pakistan’s strategic importance and may have contributed to closer economic discussions with the United States. If Washington approves the request, Pakistan could reduce its dependence on short-term financial support from multilateral institutions, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The facility would also help the country better manage future external financing needs while maintaining stability in the foreign exchange market. Pakistan is currently implementing wide-ranging economic reforms under the IMF’s $7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF). The programme requires the government to increase tax revenues, reduce public spending, improve fiscal discipline, and introduce structural reforms aimed at strengthening the economy. The country narrowly avoided a sovereign default in 2023 after securing a $3 billion IMF emergency programme. That support was later followed by the approval of the larger $7 billion EFF programme. Although the reforms have improved economic indicators, Pakistan still relies heavily on external borrowing, financial assistance from friendly countries, and the rollover of existing loans to meet its financing requirements. Economic experts believe that a US-backed stabilization facility would provide a significant boost to Pakistan’s financial position. It could strengthen foreign exchange reserves, support currency stability, improve investor confidence, and reduce the need for repeated emergency borrowing.

  • | |

    Sunny Deol protects Shabana Azmi in Batwara 1947 trailer

    ByJustpaste.in

    Veteran Bollywood actor Sunny Deol has unveiled the trailer for his upcoming historical drama Batwara 1947, offering audiences a powerful glimpse into a story set during the Partition of India in 1947. Released on Tuesday, July 28, the trailer showcases Deol in a striking new role as a man determined to protect humanity amid one of the darkest chapters in the subcontinent’s history. Sharing the trailer on social media, the 68-year-old actor wrote, “Har insaan ka pehla mazhab MAA hai (Every person’s first religion is a mother). #Batwara1947 Trailer Out Now. 14th August in cinemas near you.” The film is set against the backdrop of the 1947 Partition, when millions of people were displaced following the creation of India and Pakistan. The story follows a Muslim family that migrates to Lahore after independence and discovers that an elderly Hindu woman is still living in the house allocated to them. Sunny Deol plays Sikander Mirza, who arrives in Pakistan with his wife Hamida Mirza, portrayed by Preity Zinta, and their son Javed Mirza, played by Karan Deol. Upon reaching their new home, they meet an elderly Hindu woman, played by Shabana Azmi, who refuses to abandon the house where she has spent her entire life. As tensions rise and others attempt to force the woman out of the property, Sikander chooses compassion over hatred. Defending her against growing hostility, he delivers one of the trailer’s most memorable lines: “Hindu woman? She is a mother. Do not label her with Hindu-Muslim. Our first religion is mother! The first word that we speak is mother.” The emotional dialogue has resonated strongly with viewers, many of whom praised the film’s message of humanity above religious divisions. The trailer also highlights the violence, fear and forced migration experienced during Partition while emphasising themes of empathy, sacrifice and coexistence. Soon after the trailer’s release, social media users shared positive reactions. One viewer commented, “No religion can be good or bad, only human can be good or bad.” Another fan wrote, “Goosebumps Yar… Only Sunny Deol and Preity Zinta can give 100% justice to this Movie.” A third praised the film’s overall presentation, commenting, “A powerful, emotional, and thought-provoking trailer that promises a grand cinematic experience. With Rajkumar Santoshi’s direction, Sunny Deol’s powerful performance, A.R. Rahman’s unforgettable music, and a talented ensemble cast, Batwara1947 has all the ingredients to become one of the most impactful historical dramas of the year.” Directed by Rajkumar Santoshi, the film boasts an impressive cast featuring Sunny Deol, Preity Zinta, Shabana Azmi, Karan Deol, Ali Fazal, Abhimanyu Singh and Khushi Hajare. Academy Award-winning composer A.R. Rahman has provided the film’s music, adding to anticipation surrounding the project. Batwara 1947 is scheduled to release in cinemas on August 14, 2026, coinciding with Pakistan’s Independence Day. With its emotionally charged narrative and message of unity during a time of division, the film is already generating significant attention ahead of its theatrical release. 

  • | | | | | |

    [In This Economy] Should Filipinos’ ‘consumption culture’ be blamed for the weak peso?

    ByJustpaste.in

    BSP Governor Eli Remolona did not say that consumption is the enemy. Instead, the underlying message is that our country as a whole needs to find better ways to finance our investments.

  • |

    Suki Waterhouse reveals why she hasn’t watched Twilight yet

    ByJustpaste.in

    Suki Waterhouse has surprised fans by revealing that she has never watched her partner Robert Pattinson’s iconic performance as Edward Cullen in the Twilight film series. Although the couple have been together for several years and share a young daughter, Waterhouse admitted that she has yet to sit down and watch the blockbuster franchise that launched Pattinson to worldwide fame. During a recent podcast appearance, the actress and singer was asked a fun question about whether she was “Team Edward” or “Team Jacob,” referring to the famous love triangle at the center of the Twilight saga. Waterhouse responded with an unexpected confession, saying she had never actually seen the films. She admitted that despite the franchise’s massive popularity, she still has not watched Pattinson’s breakout role. However, she made it clear that she plans to change that in the future. She also joked that even without seeing the movies, she knew she had to support Edward. Laughing at her own answer, Waterhouse said she quickly realized she couldn’t choose the wrong side when discussing the franchise connected so closely to her partner. The actress explained that she has been waiting for the right moment to finally watch the films. Rather than viewing them by herself, she wants the experience to be more entertaining and personal. Waterhouse said she would love to watch the Twilight movies with Pattinson by her side so he could provide behind-the-scenes commentary and share stories from the making of the films. She also joked that she would happily watch them with friends, as long as someone was there to offer commentary throughout the experience. Pattinson portrayed the mysterious vampire Edward Cullen in the hugely successful Twilight series, which became a global cultural phenomenon after the first film was released in 2008. The franchise turned him into one of Hollywood’s biggest stars and earned him a dedicated international fan base. While Pattinson has since built a career with a wide range of critically acclaimed performances, including independent films and major blockbusters, Twilight remains one of the defining chapters of his career. Waterhouse and Pattinson have kept their relationship largely out of the spotlight since they began dating. The pair rarely discuss their private lives publicly, choosing instead to focus attention on their respective careers. The couple welcomed their first child together in 2024 and have continued to maintain a low profile as parents. During the same conversation, Waterhouse also shared a glimpse into their supportive relationship. She revealed that Pattinson is always willing to help her prepare audition self-tapes, showing his encouragement for her acting career. Her comments offered fans a rare insight into their life together, highlighting not only their sense of humor but also the support they provide each other behind the scenes. While Waterhouse may not have seen Twilight yet, she made it clear that when she finally does, she wants the experience to be memorable—with Robert Pattinson offering commentary every step of the way.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *