• Proceeds reach $2.72 billion in July-September FY27, up from $2.22bn
• Imports increase 16.32pc to $3.55bn
• Trade deficit remains almost unchanged at $832m
ISLAMABAD: Services exports recorded robust year-on-year growth of 22.60 per cent in the first quarter of 2026-27, largely driven by higher earnings from information technology.
The continued expansion in services exports contrasts with mixed trends in goods shipments. The sector has maintained uninterrupted growth since the start of FY27, according to official data compiled by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.
In absolute terms, services exports reached $2.72 billion in July-September 2026-27, up from $2.22bn over the corresponding period last year. In September, services exports grew 15.35pc to $929.87 million from $806.14m in the same month last year. The increase was led by telecommunication, computer and information services, which have remained the main contributors since the beginning of the fiscal year. Pakistan’s services exports rose by 18.81pc to $10.04bn in FY26, up from $8.45bn in the previous fiscal year. In rupee terms, services exports climbed 19.33pc to Rs2.815 trillion in FY26, compared to Rs2.359tr in FY25.
According to data compiled by the State Bank of Pakistan, exports of telecommunications, computer and information services reached $1.246bn in 1QFY27 against $1.059bn over the corresponding months of last year, indicating a growth of 17.7pc.
The export of telecommunications, computer and information services stood at $435m in September as against $368m over the corresponding month last year, showing an increase of 18.21pc.
Exports of other business services grew 27.98pc to $622m in 3MFY27, up from $486m in the corresponding months last year. Exports of transport services increased by 9.66pc to $295m in 3MFY27, up from $269m in the corresponding months last year.
At the same time, services imports surged 16.32pc to $3.55bn in 1QFY27 from $3.05bn in the same period last year. In September, services imports grew 26.38pc to $1.21bn from $959.53m in the same month last year.
In FY26, imports of services rose 5.67pc to $11.93bn from $11.29bn in the previous fiscal year. The largest share in the import of services during 1QFY27 was attributed to the transport sector, followed by travel services. The services trade deficit declined by 0.33pc to $832.16m in 1QFY27, compared to $834.88m in the corresponding months last year. However, the deficit widened by 84pc to $282.76m in September on a year-on-year basis.
Published in Dawn, November 8th, 2026
