By Ijaz Kakakhel

Pakistan’s imports from GCC countries declined sharply by 32.5 percent in July 2026 compared with June 2026, while exports also decreased by 2.7 percent during the same period. According to month-on-month trade data, available with Wealth Pakistan, total imports fell to $1,000.92 million in July from $1,708.1 million in June, representing a substantial contraction in the import bill. Meanwhile, exports stood at $220.75 million in July, compared with $226.9 million in June 2026.

The decline in imports was driven mainly by sharp reductions in purchases from Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Imports from Qatar recorded the steepest month-on-month decline, falling 93.2 percent from $150.5 million in June to $10.2 million in July. Imports from Oman nearly halved, declining 49.9 percent to $290.2 million in July from $578.6 million a month earlier. Similarly, imports from Saudi Arabia dropped 41.4 percent, from $504.2 million to $295.3 million.

The UAE remained Pakistan’s largest GCC import source in July despite a 17.9 percent month-on-month decline. Imports decreased from $463.5 million in June to $380.7 million in July. In contrast, imports from Bahrain rose sharply by 295.8 percent, reaching $9.5 million in July from $2.4 million in June. Similarly, imports from Kuwait increased 72 percent to $15.1 million from $8.8 million. On the export side, the overall 2.7 percent decline masked significant variations among individual GCC markets. Pakistan’s exports to the UAE increased by 15.7 percent, reaching $144.64 million in July, up from $125 million in June.

The UAE accounted for the largest share of Pakistan’s exports to the GCC during the month. Qatar recorded the strongest percentage growth among GCC export destinations. Pakistan’s exports to Qatar surged 88 percent, rising from $4.6 million in June to $8.65 million in July. Exports to Kuwait also improved, increasing 19.4 percent from $6.2 million to $7.4 million. However, these gains were outweighed by declining exports to Saudi Arabia, Oman and Bahrain. Exports to Saudi Arabia fell 34.5 percent to $41.95 million in July from $64 million in June, while exports to Oman declined 34.6 percent to $15.83 million from $24.2 million.

Pakistan’s exports to Bahrain also decreased 18.2 percent from $2.8 million in June to $2.29 million in July. The July figures consequently show a contrasting month-on-month movement in Pakistan’s GCC trade, with the 32.5% contraction in imports considerably larger than the 2.7% decline in exports. While exports recorded strong gains in the UAE, Qatar and Kuwait, these were insufficient to fully offset lower shipments to Saudi Arabia, Oman and Bahrain.

Credit: INP-WealthPk