Pakistan transport, energy and media sectors show mixed results in first nine months of FY2026

Pakistan's transport, energy and media sectors recorded mixed performance during the first nine months of fiscal year 2026, according to the Economic Survey.

While the energy sector posted stable output and petroleum demand grew, Pakistan Railways earnings declined year-on-year and natural gas consumption fell compared to the same period last year.

How did Pakistan's transport and energy sectors perform in FY2026?

Pakistan's transport sector saw uneven results, with PIA reporting net revenue of PKR 211.7 billion and port activity rising, while Pakistan Railways earnings slipped to PKR 63.56 billion from PKR 65.17 billion a year earlier.

In energy, installed electricity capacity reached 49,651 megawatts and generation totaled 92,835 gigawatt hours during July-March FY2026.

What was allocated for highways and road infrastructure under PSDP?

Under the Public Sector Development Programme for FY2026, PKR 226.98 billion was allocated for 71 NHA projects. Of that total, PKR 224.83 billion was earmarked for ongoing schemes and PKR 2.15 billion for new projects.

The NHA network currently spans 14,480 kilometers across 48 national highways, motorways and strategic roads.

Pakistan Railways operated 444 locomotives over a 7,791-kilometer route network during the period. Gross earnings of PKR 63.56 billion were lower than the PKR 65.17 billion recorded in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year.

How did PIA and Pakistan's shipping sector fare during July-March FY2026?

PIA reported net revenue of PKR 211.7 billion in calendar year 2025, while operating expenses rose 1.8% to PKR 198.3 billion. The Pakistan National Shipping Corporation, which operates 13 vessels with a combined cargo capacity of 996,683 deadweight tonnes, posted a pre-tax profit of PKR 7.99 billion during July-March FY2026.

Port activity remained active across the country. Karachi Port handled 42.03 million tonnes of cargo, while Port Qasim recorded an 8% increase in cargo throughput during the period.

What is Pakistan's electricity generation capacity and consumption mix?

Pakistan's total installed electricity generation capacity stood at 49,651 megawatts, with thermal sources accounting for 49.2%, renewables 20.3%, hydropower 23.4% and nuclear 7.1%. Electricity consumption totaled 83,143 gigawatt hours, with households accounting for the largest share at 47.4%, followed by industry at 31.5%.

Six nuclear power plants with a combined capacity of 3,530 megawatts supplied 17,137 million units during the period. The generation mix for the nine months comprised 30.1% hydel, 46.9% thermal, 18.5% nuclear and 4.5% renewable sources.

How did petroleum and natural gas demand change in FY2026?

Petroleum demand rose 3.5% during July-March FY2026, with the transport sector accounting for 82.5% of total consumption. Petroleum imports increased to 13.64 million tonnes from 13.17 million tonnes in the same period a year earlier.

Natural gas consumption stood at 2,316 million cubic feet per day, down from 2,345 MMCFD in the corresponding period last year. Re-gasified liquefied natural gas consumption also declined to 613 MMCFD from 798 MMCFD previously. Coal consumption, by contrast, rose to 21.41 million tonnes from 16.17 million tonnes a year earlier.

What did PEMRA contribute and how did Pakistan's media sector perform?

Pakistan's electronic broadcasting network comprised 142 satellite television channels and 28 foreign channels operating under landing rights during the period. PEMRA contributed PKR 1.1 billion to the national exchequer during July-March FY2026.

The Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation received a total allocation of PKR 6.27 billion for operational expenditures in FY2026. Around PKR 4.6 billion of that allocation had been utilized by the end of March.