Pakistan economy grows 3.04 percent in last fiscal year as industry, services outperform forecasts

A vendor displays the rice quality on a wholesale shop at a market in Karachi, Pakistan, on April 3, 2025. (AP/File)
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Updated 08 October 2025
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Pakistan economy grows 3.04 percent in last fiscal year as industry, services outperform forecasts

  • National Accounts Committee says Pakistan’s national economy is now valued at $407.2 billion
  • World Bank has projected 2.6 percent growth for the current fiscal year amid flood-related disruptions

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan posted a gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 3.04 percent in the last fiscal year (FY2025), the National Accounts Committee (NAC) said on Wednesday, revising its earlier estimate of 2.68 percent after stronger-than-expected performance in industry and services.

The updated figures, released after the committee’s 114th meeting, also showed quarter-on-quarter improvement, with growth recorded at 1.80 percent in Q1, 1.94 percent in Q2, 2.79 percent in Q3, and 5.66 percent in Q4 of FY2025.

“The committee ... approved the updated annual growth of GDP at 3.04 percent during FY2025, which was estimated at 2.68 percent during the previous meeting,” the NAC said in a statement released after the meeting. “The updated growth rates in agriculture, industry, and services are 1.51 percent, 5.26 percent, and 3.0 percent, respectively, as compared to earlier growth rates of 0.56 percent, 4.77 percent, and 2.91 percent.”

The NAC said the size of Pakistan’s economy now stands at Rs113.7 trillion ($407.2 billion), compared to Rs105.2 trillion ($371.8 billion) in the previous year.

The statement said growth in the final quarter of the last fiscal year was led by a 19.95 percent surge in industry and a 3.72 percentrise in services, with the electricity, gas, and water supply sector showing an exceptional 121.38 percent increase due to higher subsidies and base effects.

Livestock and construction also posted gains, while the textile, pharmaceutical, and transport sectors contributed positively.

The NAC said the upward revisions were mainly due to “improvements in annual benchmarks and better performance in key industries, leading to higher quarterly GDP growth rates.”

Pakistan is currently trying to recover from recent monsoon floods that inundated large parts of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, damaging homes, infrastructure, and farmland, with the World Bank projecting the national economy to grow by 2.6 percent in the ongoing fiscal year (FY2026), lowering its earlier estimate of 3.1 percent.

It said the country’s economic recovery would depend on an agricultural rebound and lower inflation in the coming years, with growth expected to accelerate to 3.4 percent in the next fiscal year (FY2027).


Pakistan Pavilion inaugurated at Sharjah International Book Fair

Updated 11 November 2025
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Pakistan Pavilion inaugurated at Sharjah International Book Fair

  • Pavilion features Pakistani publishers showcasing literary and cultural heritage
  • Consul General urges community and visitors to support Pakistan’s publishing industry

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan inaugurated its national pavilion at the 44th Sharjah International Book Fair on Tuesday, marking the country’s participation in one of the world’s largest literary exhibitions as it seeks to highlight its publishing heritage, cultural traditions, and contemporary creative output.

The Sharjah International Book Fair is one of the largest book fairs in the Middle East and Asia, drawing hundreds of publishers, writers, scholars, students, and cultural organizations from across the region and beyond. Pakistan’s participation is seen as part of its efforts to strengthen cultural diplomacy and expand the international visibility of its literary and publishing sectors.

The Pakistan pavilion, located in Hall 6 – Stand N1 at the Sharjah Expo Center, features several well-known Pakistani publishing houses, including Qudrat Ullah Publications (noted for its printed editions of the Qur’an), Zia-ul-Qur’an Publications, and Paramount Books.

Inaugurating the pavilion, Hussain Muhammad, Consul General of Pakistan in Dubai, welcomed the participation of Pakistani publishers and exhibitors.

“Such platforms provide an excellent opportunity to highlight the diverse literary traditions, cultural richness, and creative potential of Pakistan,” he was quoted as saying in a statement by the Pakistan Press Information Department. 

The Consul General also conveyed appreciation to His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, noting his “visionary efforts in promoting art, culture, literature, and academic excellence” in the emirate and internationally.

During his visit, the Consul General toured several official pavilions, including those representing Saudi Arabia, Oman, Sharjah Government institutions, and Abu Dhabi.

He also commended Sarmad Khan of Urdu World Books for establishing a dedicated stall promoting Pakistani literature, and encouraged the Pakistani community in the UAE, visitors, and students to attend and engage with the pavilion’s offerings.

The book fair will continue at the Sharjah Expo Center through the coming week.