Pakistan’s exports to the Middle East declined by 8 percent year-on-year in April, reflecting the growing impact of regional conflict and geopolitical uncertainty on trade activity with one of the country’s key export destinations.
According to central bank data, Pakistan’s exports to the region fell to $230.079 million during April, with shipments to the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan posting noticeable declines. Exports to Saudi Arabiarecorded only marginal growth during the month.
In contrast, imports from the Middle East increased by 5 percent to $1.548 billion, compared to $1.474 billion in the same month last year. Higher imports from the UAE, Kuwait, and Jordan contributed to the rise, while imports from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Bahrain declined.
The trend highlights Pakistan’s continued dependence on the Middle East for energy supplies. Saudi Arabia and the UAE collectively account for nearly 90 percent of Pakistan’s energy imports from the region, making the country highly sensitive to disruptions in Gulf trade and logistics.
For the first ten months of FY2025-26, Pakistan’s exports to the Middle East fell 2 percent to $2.635 billion, while imports declined 3 percent to $13.898 billion. As a result, the trade deficit with the region narrowed by 4 percent to $11.263 billion during the July-April period.
Trade with Saudi Arabia remained mixed during the fiscal year. Exports to the kingdom fell 4 percent to $583.94 million, while imports increased 4 percent to $3.316 billion. Meanwhile, trade with the UAE showed uneven momentum, with exports inching up slightly in the fiscal year overall despite a sharp decline in April shipments.
Among smaller regional partners, Pakistan’s April exports fell sharply by 39 percent to Bahrain, 21 percent to Qatar, 36 percent to Kuwait, and 26 percent to Jordan. On the import side, purchases from Bahrain and Qatar declined significantly, while imports from Kuwait and Jordan increased during the month.
The data underscores how ongoing instability in the Middle East is beginning to affect Pakistan’s external trade flows, particularly as the country remains reliant on the region for both export demand and critical energy imports.
