Pakistan’s textile industry continued to drive the country’s export momentum in July FY26, with official data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics showing robust growth both on a yearly and monthly basis.
Overall exports rose to $2.69 billion in July, reflecting an 8.
4 percent increase compared to June and a significant 16.4 percent jump from $2.31 billion recorded in July 2024. Much of this strength came from the textile sector, which posted outstanding gains across multiple product categories.
Textile exports surged to $1.68 billion in July, marking an impressive 32.1 percent year-on-year increase and a 10.3 percent month-on-month rise. Key categories performed strongly, with knitwear exports climbing by 46.4 percent, readymade garments rising 38.2 percent, and bedwear exports up 41 percent compared to the same month last year.
Industry experts believe the surge is linked to changing global dynamics.
U.S.–China trade tensions and political instability in Bangladesh have led international buyers—particularly from the U.S., Europe, and the Middle East—to place greater reliance on Pakistan for timely and reliable deliveries. This shift is providing the sector with an important competitive edge in global supply chains.
On the other hand, Pakistan’s import bill also rose by 23 percent year-on-year, largely due to petroleum and palm oil purchases. While textile exports continue to strengthen the external sector, the rising cost of essential imports highlights the pressure on the trade balance and the broader economy.
