Pakistan exports rise 45% in decade, exporters say

Pakistan’s merchandise exports rose about 45% over the past decade to $30.139 billion in fiscal 2025-26 from $20.787 billion in 2015-16, the All Pakistan Exporters Associations Forum said on Saturday.

The forum’s chief coordinator, Muhammad Jawed Bilwani, said the figures showed that Pakistan’s export sector had expanded significantly, while stressing that recent criticism of the performance of specific export-oriented industries should not be taken as a judgment on the sector as a whole.

Bilwani was responding to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s remarks at the Pakistan Stock Exchange on Oct. 1, saying subsequent media coverage had created an impression that Pakistan’s overall export industry had failed to make progress.

“Pakistan needs more exports, greater investment, increased value addition and improved competitiveness in international markets,” Bilwani said in a statement.

He said the government’s continued focus on export-led growth and its engagement with industry were important for addressing sector-specific challenges and improving Pakistan’s position in global markets.

Bilwani said closer cooperation between the government and private sector could help align economic policies with businesses’ practical needs. He said exporters supported efforts to improve product quality, productivity, technology adoption, value addition and access to international markets.

He also welcomed measures taken under the prime minister’s direction to facilitate exporters, including regular visits by Federal Board of Revenue teams to Karachi and the establishment of a PRAL office in the city.

Despite the growth in exports, Bilwani said the sector continued to face structural challenges, including high business costs, energy prices, taxation, delayed tax refunds, export financing, logistics, customs procedures and ease of doing business.

Addressing these issues would be essential to improving the competitiveness of Pakistani products, he said.

Bilwani described higher exports as a shared responsibility between the government and private sector, with exporters seeking closer partnership and practical policy support.

The forum said it would continue to submit recommendations on measures aimed at expanding exports, increasing foreign exchange earnings and strengthening industrial competitiveness.

“Exporters are ready to work with the government to increase exports, earn valuable foreign exchange, create employment and strengthen Pakistan’s economy,” Bilwani said.