The report highlights growth in exports, remittances, foreign direct investment and agricultural lending, alongside rising imports and inflation.
In September 2026, exports climbed 15.5% year-on-year to $3 billion. However, imports also increased significantly, rising 14.1% to $17.8 billion during the first quarter. September imports surged 22.7% to $6.2 billion, indicating continued pressure from external purchases.
Remittances provided another positive indicator, reaching $10.9 billion during July-September. In September alone, inflows rose 12.7% year-on-year to $3.6 billion.
Foreign direct investment (FDI) increased 19.9% to $719.7 million during the quarter, while September investment stood at $219.5 million. Meanwhile, the State Bank of Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves were reported at $21.5 billion in October. The rupee traded at Rs278.6 against the US dollar on October 28.
On the fiscal front, the Federal Board of Revenue collected Rs3,286 billion in taxes during the first quarter, including Rs1,363 billion in September, representing annual growth of 11.5%. Federal non-tax revenue reached Rs2,935 billion.
The government recorded a fiscal deficit of Rs1,971 billion, while the primary budget surplus stood at Rs2,113 billion.
Agricultural lending rose 32.7% year-on-year to Rs540.5 billion during the first quarter, reflecting increased financing for the sector.
Inflation remained a concern, averaging 10.2% during the quarter. September inflation reached 10.3%, compared with 5.8% in the same month last year. The policy rate stood at 12% on October 26.
Large-scale manufacturing output grew 1.85% during the quarter, while the Pakistan Stock Exchange’s index reached 165,736 points on October 28, up 3.52% from a year earlier.
The report also showed a 37.3% increase in newly registered companies, which reached 15,440 during the first quarter, pointing to continued business registration activity.
