Karachi (February 19, 2026): The Vice President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) and Joint Secretary of the Businessmen Panel Progressive, Aman Paracha, has welcomed the 1.25% increase in textile exports during the first seven months (July–January) of the current fiscal year 2025–26, which reached $10.904 billion. However, he expressed concern over a sharp 40.51% decline in rice exports, which fell from $2.194 billion to $1.305 billion.
At the same time, he noted that national imports are continuously rising, particularly imports of petroleum products and mobile phones, which are putting pressure on the national exchequer. He added that the lack of infrastructure and deteriorating roads across all districts of Karachi are forcing commuters to spend more on fuel, thereby increasing the petroleum import bill and placing further strain on the country’s foreign exchange reserves.
Aman Paracha stated that the July–January period has been relatively satisfactory for the textile sector, as exports have shown some improvement. However, after the signing of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the European Union, Pakistan must adopt an effective strategy to strengthen trade relations with European countries and counter India’s competitive advantage.
He further explained that during the seven-month period, knitwear exports amounted to $3.098 billion compared to $3.033 billion last year. Similarly, bedwear exports increased from $1.868 billion to $1.92 billion, and ready-made garments rose from $2.441 billion to $2.58 billion.
Aman Paracha also pointed out that mobile phone imports increased by 31.4% during the first seven months of fiscal year 2025–26, despite a large number of mobile phones being manufactured locally. This indicates a significant rise in mobile phone usage. During the same period last year, mobile phones worth $867.685 million were imported, whereas in the current fiscal year’s seven months, imports increased by more than 31.36%.
He expressed satisfaction that Pakistan recorded a current account surplus of $121 million in January 2026. During January, Pakistan received $3.46 billion in workers’ remittances, compared to $3.59 billion in December 2025. On a monthly basis, the external account improved from a deficit of $270 million in December 2025 to a surplus of $120 million in January 2026.
He suggested that if the government offers a higher exchange rate in Pakistani rupees against the dollar to overseas Pakistanis for sending remittances, they would remit more foreign exchange to the country, thereby strengthening the national treasury.
