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Pakistan Posts $459 Million Current‑Account Surplus

Record workers' remittances boosted reserves, raising questions about durability because imports still exceed exports and the 11‑month surplus is modest.

Overview

  • Pakistan recorded a $459 million current‑account surplus in May, State Bank of Pakistan data released Wednesday showed, driven mainly by record workers' remittances of about $4.25 billion.
  • Total exports of goods and services in May were $3.21 billion while imports reached $6.49 billion, producing a wide trade gap that constrains the overall external position.
  • Foreign exchange reserves excluding mandatory bank balances rose to roughly $17.27 billion and net foreign direct investment rebounded to $214 million in May after April’s large corporate divestment depressed inflows.
  • Technology exports are a growing bright spot, with $373 million recorded in May and about $4.2 billion in the first 11 months of FY2026, a sector that officials say could expand with steady policy support.
  • On a cumulative basis the July–May current‑account surplus was only $255 million versus $1.62 billion a year earlier, and economists warn that rising import demand or weaker remittances could quickly erode recent monthly gains.