Pakistan’s petroleum import bill reaches $13.5 billion in 10MFY26

Pakistan’s petroleum import bill rose to $13.517 billion during the first 10 months of FY26, increasing 2% year-on-year from $13.300 billion in the same period last year, as higher crude oil imports offset a sharp decline in liquefied natural gas purchases, according to AKD Research data based on Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) figures.

The data showed petroleum crude imports increased 24% year-on-year to $5.640 billion during July-April FY26, compared with $4.541 billion in the corresponding period last year.

Petroleum product imports also rose 3% year-on-year to $5.105 billion from $4.956 billion.

However, liquefied natural gas imports declined 35% year-on-year to $1.885 billion during the period, compared with $2.917 billion a year earlier.

Liquefied petroleum gas imports remained largely unchanged at $887 million during 10MFY26.

On a monthly basis, total petroleum imports surged 68% year-on-year to $2.271 billion in April 2026, compared with $1.355 billion in April 2025. On a month-on-month basis, petroleum imports rose 87% from $1.216 billion recorded in March 2026.

During April, petroleum crude imports increased 120% year-on-year to $1.187 billion, while petroleum product imports rose 97% to $977 million.

Liquefied petroleum gas imports stood at $107 million in April, up 28% year-on-year.

In volume terms, petroleum product imports rose 5% year-on-year to 9.201 million metric tons during 10MFY26, while crude oil imports increased 14% to 9.679 million metric tons.

The transport sector recorded the highest growth among major import groups during the first 10 months of FY26.

Transport group imports rose 75% year-on-year to $3.259 billion, compared with $1.867 billion during the same period last year.

Within the category, road motor vehicle imports increased 72% to $3.097 billion from $1.799 billion.

Imports of completely built-up vehicles rose 67% to 528 units from 315 units last year, while motor car imports under the category increased 24% to 282 units from 228 units.

Imports of CKD and SKD units surged 85% year-on-year to 2,191 units from 1,182 units.

Motor car imports under the CKD/SKD category jumped 107% to 1,692 units, compared with 817 units during the same period last year, while motorcycle imports increased 71% to 65 units from 38 units.

Parts and accessories imports also rose 25% year-on-year to $339 million.

Monthly transport imports stood at $348 million in April 2026, up 28% from $272 million in April last year and 6% higher than March 2026.

Metal group imports increased 10% year-on-year to $5.268 billion during 10MFY26, compared with $4.789 billion last year.

Iron and steel imports rose 15% to $2.224 billion, while imports of other metals and articles increased 16% to $1.188 billion.

Iron and steel scrap imports edged up 3% year-on-year to $1.636 billion during the period.

However, aluminium product imports declined 2% to $207 million, while gold imports fell 56% year-on-year to $13 million.

Monthly metal imports stood at $452 million in April 2026, down 19% from $559 million during the same month last year, though up 8% from March 2026.

Agri and other chemical imports rose 6% year-on-year to $8.587 billion during the first 10 months of FY26, compared with $8.106 billion a year earlier.

Plastic material imports increased 4% to $2.349 billion, while medicinal product imports rose 12% to $1.139 billion.

Insecticide imports surged 38% year-on-year to $176 million, while fertilizer imports increased 4% to $535 million.

Other chemical imports rose 5% year-on-year to $4.388 billion during the period.

During April 2026, agri and other chemical imports stood at $817 million, down 5% from $860 million in April last year but 16% higher than March 2026.