Pakistan’s imports rose sharply in September, driven by higher spending on steel, petroleum products and other goods, according to figures released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.
The country imported goods worth $6.49 billion, up from $5.82 billion in August. The increase of $668 million, or about 11.5%, added to pressure on Pakistan’s trade balance.
Steel imports recorded one of the biggest increases. Spending on iron and steel jumped by more than 60% compared with August, while imports of steel scrap rose nearly 24%.
The bill for refined petroleum products also increased, rising almost 23% during the month. Crude oil imports, however, fell by more than 28%.
Other goods contributed to the higher import bill. Imports of car assembly kits rose more than 46%, while spending on palm oil and plastic materials also increased.
The rise was not limited to September. Pakistan imported goods worth $19.21 billion during the first three months of the financial year, compared with $16.97 billion during the same period last year.
The country’s trade deficit reached $3.53 billion in September, reflecting the continuing gap between what Pakistan buys from abroad and what it sells to other countries.
The figures show that Pakistan’s import bill is growing, although changes in international prices and shipment volumes can affect how much the country spends.
Source: Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, September 2026 external trade statistics.