NA Panel Scrutinises Commerce Ministry’s Export Strategy as Shipments Slip
The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Commerce questioned the government’s export plan after Pakistan’s FY2025‑26 exports fell to $30.8 billion, down over $1 billion from the previous year.
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Sector Effect
Negative · Do not buy
Export decline hurts Textile, Fertilizer and related sectors – Don't buy.
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Desk call: Do not buy · Negatively affected
- TextileNegatively affected
- FertilizerNegatively affected
- SteelNegatively affected
- EconomyNegatively affected
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Sectors: Textile, Fertilizer, Steel, Economy — Negative · Do not buy. PSX tickers: INDU, HCAR, MTL, PSMC, GHNI. Export decline hurts Textile, Fertilizer and related sectors – Don't buy.
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Open on Profit## Committee Hearing
On Thursday, the National Assembly Standing Committee on Commerce, chaired by Jawed Hanif Khan, convened to review the government’s export strategy. Members pressed the Commerce Ministry for explanations behind a sharp slowdown in overseas shipments.
## Export Figures
The committee was presented with data showing that total exports dropped from roughly $32 billion in FY2024‑25 to $30.8 billion in FY2025‑26, a decline of more than $1 billion.
## Ministry’s Response
Commerce Secretary Jawad Paul attributed the downturn to a combination of factors, notably the regional security environment and the conflict in Afghanistan. He highlighted that exports of several key commodities fell by over $1.5 billion, signalling weakened international competitiveness and rising production costs.
## Implications for the Economy
The reduced export earnings put pressure on the current‑account balance and could dampen investor sentiment toward export‑oriented sectors. The committee signalled a need for policy recalibration to restore Pakistan’s market share in global trade.
## Outlook
Analysts suggest that unless the government introduces targeted incentives and addresses logistical bottlenecks, the export slump may persist, affecting sectors that rely heavily on overseas demand.