Thailand to Launch 300 Baht Tourist Entry Fee Under New Government

BANGKOK – A group of Italian students and their chaperone apologized to a Thai commuter at Samre Police Station late Sunday following a heated dispute on the BTS Skytrain in Bangkok. The visitors paid police fines for public insults and indecent behavior, prompting the victim to drop the charges. The victim and her family are […]

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s imports from Iran surged to a record level during the fiscal year 2025-26, highlighting the growing importance of bilateral trade despite heightened geopolitical tensions in the region. According to sources, Pakistan imported goods worth around $1.395 billion from Iran during FY2025-26, marking a significant increase compared with the previous fiscal year. The data shows that imports from Iran grew by approximately 12% year-on-year during the latest fiscal year. The increase reflects a continuing upward trend in Pakistan’s purchases from its western neighbour, with the import bill rising steadily over the past several years. The growth became particularly pronounced in June 2026. Pakistan’s imports from Iran reached approximately $119 million during the month, representing a 47% increase compared with June 2025, according to the sources. On a month-on-month basis, imports also showed notable growth. Pakistan imported around $100 million worth of goods from Iran in March 2026, while the June figure stood significantly higher. Imports show long-term upward trend The latest figures indicate that Pakistan’s reliance on Iranian imports has expanded considerably over the years. In FY2024-25, Pakistan’s imports from Iran stood at approximately $1.241 billion, compared with $1.395 billion in FY2025-26. The import value was even higher in FY2023-24, when Pakistan purchased goods worth around $1.37 billion from Iran. Despite fluctuations from year to year, the overall trend has remained substantially higher than the levels recorded several years ago. In FY2022-23, imports from Iran amounted to approximately $880 million, while the figure stood at around $773.8 million in FY2021-22. Pakistan’s imports from Iran were recorded at approximately $518.6 million in FY2020-21, showing how sharply bilateral import activity has expanded compared with earlier years. The import bill stood at around $440 million in FY2019-20, meaning the latest figure of $1.395 billion represents more than three times the level recorded six years earlier. Growing trade despite regional tensions The continued rise in imports underscores the importance of cross-border economic activity between Pakistan and Iran. The two neighbouring countries share a long border and have historically maintained trade links involving energy, food products and other commodities. The latest increase also comes amid a challenging regional environment, with geopolitical tensions affecting trade routes, commodity markets and economic activity across the region. For Pakistan, trade with neighbouring countries remains strategically important as the country seeks to manage its import requirements, diversify supply sources and strengthen economic links within the region.