Textile Exports Grow 5.26pc to $5.026bn in First QuarterBusiness

Towels posted a 10 per cent increase to $291.56 million, and made-up articles, excluding towels and bedwear, grew 7.89 per cent to $223.12 million. On the weaker side, cotton cloth exports declined 5.34 per cent to $425.3 million, bedwear dipped 0.07 per cent in value, and tents, canvas and tarpaulin fell 35.29 per cent to $25.7 million.

Textile exporters have already warned the government that exports could slow further in the second quarter if no corrective measures are taken. Two major setbacks have weighed on shipments: the suspension of trade with Afghanistan since October 2025 and falling exports to the Middle East amid the prevailing war in the region, especially to the United Arab Emirates.

The broader export picture showed improvement beyond textiles. Total exports in September reached $2.961 billion on a provisional basis, up 16.94 per cent over August and 18.5 per cent over September 2025. For the full July-September quarter, total exports stood at $8.445 billion, an increase of 11.13 per cent over the corresponding period last year.

Imports rose faster, however. September imports stood at $6.492 billion, and imports during the first quarter reached $19.213 billion, up 13.20 per cent year on year, keeping pressure on the trade balance. Pakistan’s oil import bill alone rose 6.50 per cent in the quarter to $4.02 billion, driven by higher international oil prices.

Industry representatives say the momentum in value-added segments such as garments and knitwear is encouraging, but sustained growth will depend on easing energy and input costs, stable access to raw materials, and support for exporters navigating disrupted regional markets.