Pakistan records current account deficit of nearly $270 million

In the latest economic update, Pakistan has reported a current account deficit of $269 million for the month of February, according to data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).

This shift is attributed to a notable decrease in exports coupled with a surge in imports.

The data reveals that total exports experienced a 4.40 per cent month-on-month (MoM) decline, amounting to $3.37 billion in February, compared to $3.53 billion in the preceding month.

However, on a year-on-year (YoY) basis, exports displayed positive growth, rising by 15.84 per cent from $2.91 billion in the corresponding month of the previous year.

Conversely, total imports registered an 11.01 per cent MoM increase and a 21.33 per cent YoY surge, reaching $5.51 billion in February. This compares to $4.96 billion in December and $4.54 billion in January of the previous year.

On a cumulative basis, the current account deficit for the first seven months of fiscal year 2023-24 (7MFY24) stands at $1.09 billion, showcasing a significant 71.21 per cent YoY improvement compared to the $3.8 billion deficit recorded in the same period of the previous fiscal year.

Meanwhile, workers’ remittances for January saw a marginal 0.63 per cent MoM increase, reaching $2.4 billion, compared to $2.38 billion in the previous month.

On a YoY basis, remittances experienced a substantial rise of 26.16 per cent, standing at $1.9 billion in January 2024.

Looking at the cumulative figures for 7MFY24, workers’ remittances amounted to $15.83 billion, reflecting a 2.97 per cent YoY decrease from $16.32 billion in 7MFY23.