ISLAMABAD: In what appears to be major concerns over the country’s export performance, Pakistan’s textile and clothing sector recorded a 2.57 per cent decline in November, the fourth straight month of negative growth, signalling persistent challenges in one of the country’s key industries.

The November decline extends a trend of volatility in the textile and clothing industry, which had seen a sharp rebound of over 30 percent in July — the first month of the current fiscal year. The stark contrast highlights unstable global demand and ongoing domestic challe­nges that continue to weigh on the sector’s performance.

Official data released by Pakistan Bureau of Statistics on Thursday showed that textile and clothing exports dropped to $1.423bn from $1.464bn in November 2024. This follows a sharper 11pc decline in November on a month-on-month basis, reflecting ongoing challenges in the sector.

In September, textile and clothing exports saw a decline of 1.99pc and 7.34pc year-on-year in August, following a strong rebound of over 30pc in July.

Pakistan’s largest export-earning industry shrank 2.57pc in November

The PBS data showed exports of ready-made garments rose 9.21pc in value and 29.16pc in quantity during November, while knitwear dipped 4.87pc in value but increased 2.26pc in quantity. Bedwear dropped 3.43pc in value and 4.37pc in quantity.

Towel exports dipped 6.31pc in value and 8.12pc in quantity in November, whereas cotton cloth went down 9.72pc in value and contracted 5.85pc in quantity, respectively.

Yarn exports surged 25.59pc YoY in November. The exports of made-up articles, excluding towels, dipped by 10.08pc, and tents, canvas and tarpaulin went down by 30.12pc in November.

The import of synthetic fibre increased 39.44pc, and the arrival of synthetic and artificial silk yarn increased by 2.47pc in November. However, other textile items’ import increased by 7.52pc the period under review.

The import of raw cotton declined 65.12pc year-on-year in November. However, the arrival of second-hand clothes surged 48.21pc. The import of textile machinery also grew 11.20pc.

Oil imports fall

Pakistan’s oil import bill also grew 1.63pc to $6.416bn in the first five months of FY26 from $6.522bn last year, reflecting an uptick in demand, particularly for petroleum products and petroleum crude. Data showed a 3.97pc rise in the value of petroleum products, driven by a 12.28pc jump in quantity, suggesting a shift in the types of oil products being imported.

Crude oil imports surged 13.38pc, with a 20.56pc rise in quantity, indicating that local refineries are processing more crude oil. On the other hand, imports of liquefied natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas plunged by 29.87pc and 6.89pc, respectively.

The import of machinery rose 20.26pc to $4.273bn in 5MFY26 from $3.553bn last year.

Published in Dawn, December 19th, 2025