Qudsia Bano

Pakistan’s import bill surged to 6,529,174 million rupees in July–October 2025 from 5,569,160 million rupees in the same period of 2024, according to fresh data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. In dollar terms, imports reached 23,104,559 thousand dollars compared with 20,002,635 thousand dollars last year, reflecting a 15.51 percent increase.

The food group recorded imports worth 869,087 million rupees, rising from 651,198 million rupees a year earlier. Imports of milk, cream and infant milk food grew sharply from 11,859 metric tons to 15,834 metric tons, with the import bill rising to 13,776 million rupees and 48,723 thousand dollars.

Dry fruits and nuts registered higher value, climbing to 15,582 million rupees and 56,158 thousand dollars, while volumes stood at 58,209 metric tons compared with 59,418 metric tons last year. Soyabean oil imports also increased, reaching 60,809 metric tons versus 59,340 metric tons, lifting the bill to 18,716 million rupees and 66,108 thousand dollars.

Palm oil remained one of the highest-value food imports, with quantities rising to 1,250,138 metric tons from 1,085,469 metric tons. The import value increased to 374,408 million rupees and 1,325,016 thousand dollars. Imports of pulses also rose, totaling 391,377 metric tons and 72,231 million rupees.

Machinery imports climbed to 998,708 million rupees from 808,595 million rupees. Power generating machinery increased to 73,376 million rupees, while office machinery imports rose to 68,728 million rupees. Imports of electrical machinery and apparatus stood at 290,016 million rupees, compared with 298,698 million rupees in the corresponding period of 2024.

Transport group imports recorded substantial expansion, rising to 386,041 million rupees from 180,459 million rupees. Imports of road motor vehicles reached 358,524 million rupees compared with 173,306 million rupees last year. Motor car imports alone grew sharply, hitting 177,420 million rupees from 78,438 million rupees. Imports of aircraft, ships and boats also increased significantly to 19,523 million rupees.

The petroleum group continued to be a major contributor to the overall import bill. Imports of petroleum products increased to 1,455,466 million rupees from 1,423,233 million rupees. Petroleum crude imports rose in value to 557,064 million rupees and 1,971,507 thousand dollars. Textile group imports reached 652,366 million rupees, with raw cotton increasing to 149,697 million rupees from 123,647 million rupees. Synthetic fibre and synthetic and artificial silk yarn also recorded notable gains.

Imports of agricultural and other chemicals rose to 1,033,330 million rupees from 938,861 million rupees. Fertilizer imports stood at 95,504 million rupees, while plastic materials increased to 834,292 million rupees. Metal group imports reached 613,270 million rupees compared with 516,021 million rupees last year. Imports of iron and steel scrap rose to 192,080 million rupees from 148,774 million rupees, while aluminium imports increased to 26,746 million rupees.

Miscellaneous imports totaled 119,541 million rupees, with rubber crude, rubber tyres and tubes, and wood and cork all registering increases. Imports classified under “all other items” reached 400,864 million rupees compared with 369,578 million rupees last year. Overall, Pakistan’s import trend for July–October 2025 reflected broad-based increases across major commodity groups, driven mainly by energy, machinery, food products and transport equipment.

Credit: INP-WealthPk