Pakistan’s import bill climbed sharply in September 2026, reaching $6.17 billion as purchases from abroad increased across several major sectors. The latest figures show a 22.65% year-on-year rise, while monthly imports also recorded significant growth.
According to balance of payments (BOP) data, imports rose from $5.03 billion in September 2025 to $6.17 billion in September 2026. Moreover, the total increased by 12.98% compared with August’s $5.46 billion.
Petroleum Remains Pakistan’s Biggest Import Category
The petroleum group continued to dominate Pakistan’s imports, accounting for 25.40% of the September total. Its import bill reached $1.57 billion, marking a 34.18% increase year-on-year and a 1.20% rise month-on-month.
Meanwhile, the combined animal, vegetable, fats and prepared-foodstuffs groups recorded imports worth $784.28 million. This represented a 22.64% annual increase from $639.48 million in September 2025. Compared with August’s $660.77 million, the combined category grew by 18.69%.
Within the food segment, oil seeds and oleaginous fruit imports surged by 89.19% year-on-year to $210.03 million. Animal or vegetable fats and oils rose by 14.82% to $353.17 million. Additionally, cereal imports more than doubled, increasing by 116.71% to $17.78 million.
Machinery Imports Decline as Metal Purchases Rise
Machinery and mechanical appliance imports fell by 2.12% year-on-year to $794.76 million. They also declined by 6.90% compared with August.
Electrical machinery and equipment accounted for $448.54 million, down 2% annually. Similarly, imports of nuclear reactors, boilers and machinery decreased by 2.28% to $346.22 million.
In contrast, base metals and related articles recorded substantial growth. Their import value reached $658.77 million, up 49.14% year-on-year and 34.07% month-on-month. Iron and steel imports climbed by 56.12% annually to $482.14 million.
Vehicle Imports Increase by More Than 40%
Imports of vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated transport equipment rose by 40.58% year-on-year to $403.58 million. They also increased by 28.22% compared with August.
Road vehicles accounted for $360.45 million, representing a 35.36% annual increase. These figures indicate that transport-related imports contributed to September’s overall rise.
Textile and Chemical Imports Show Mixed Trends
Imports of textiles and textile articles reached $467 million, up 14.37% year-on-year and 6.12% month-on-month.
However, cotton imports moved in the opposite direction, falling 3.69% annually to $165.28 million. They also declined by 9.51% compared with August.
Meanwhile, man-made filaments imports increased by 38.22% year-on-year to $110.13 million. Man-made staple fibres also rose by 25.97% to $93.91 million.
Chemical and allied industry imports slipped 1.63% annually to $646.33 million. Nevertheless, they increased by 5.64% month-on-month.
Fertiliser imports fell sharply by 55.48% year-on-year to $55.35 million. Pharmaceutical imports also declined by 17.74% to $39.52 million. In contrast, organic chemical imports increased by 20.31% to $271.78 million, while plastics and related articles rose by 18.29% to $345.67 million.
Pakistan’s Imports Reach $17.78 Billion in First Quarter
Pakistan’s total imports reached $17.78 billion during the first quarter of FY2026-27, covering July to September. This marked a 14.31% increase from $15.56 billion recorded during the corresponding period last year.
Petroleum imports totalled $4.31 billion, rising 8.47% year-on-year and accounting for 24.26% of the overall import bill. Meanwhile, combined food group imports reached $2.26 billion, up 17.74%.
Oil seeds and oleaginous fruit imports surged by 83.45% to $586.45 million. Machinery imports increased by 10.74% to $2.69 billion, while base metals and related articles rose by 28.43% to $1.76 billion.
Vehicle and transport equipment imports climbed 26.02% to $1.15 billion. Textile imports increased by 11.17% to $1.45 billion, while chemical and allied industry imports grew by 3.28% to $1.89 billion. However, fertiliser imports fell 39.50% to $143.42 million.
Overall, the first-quarter figures show that Pakistan’s import bill continued to expand, with petroleum, food, metals and transport equipment contributing to the increase. At the same time, several categories, including machinery and fertilisers, recorded declines in specific comparisons.
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