Exports contract 8.76pc in February

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s merchandise exports slipped back into negative territory in February, reversing a brief recovery seen a month earlier and raising fresh concerns about the outlook for overseas shipments amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.

The setback follows five consecutive months of contraction, with exports showing a modest rise in January, offering cautious optimism that a recovery might be taking shape. That momentum, however, proved short-lived as February data signalled renewed pressure on the external sector.

Trade analysts warn that the unfolding crisis in the Middle East could weigh further on export performance, particularly by disrupting trade routes, dampening demand in key regional markets, and adding uncertainty to global supply chains.

With geopolitical risks mounting, exporters now face heightened volatility in the months ahead. In absolute terms, export proceeds fell 8.76pc to $2.27 billion in February from $2.49bn a year ago, the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) said on Tuesday.

Trade gap widens by one-fourth to $25.04bn in 8MFY26

Trade gap widens by one-fourth to $25.04bn in 8MFY26

On a month-on-month basis, export proceeds dipped by 25.63pc in February. Negative growth in exports has continued since August of the current........

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