Meanwhile, Pakistan’s food import bill surged 15.22% to $7.09 billion during the first nine months of FY26. The increase was driven mainly by rising imports of sugar and edible oil.

In the same period, the country imported 308,937 tonnes of sugar—an astonishing increase of 11,457.69% from the previous year. This dramatic rise reflects both local demand and market conditions.

The value of palm oil imports also rose significantly, climbing 17.49% to $3.023 billion from July to March FY26. These figures indicate a growing dependency on foreign food products.

Additionally, the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) has tightened rules regarding used vehicle imports. Companies must now be registered under the Companies Act of 2017 to engage in this business.

Only those companies that define vehicle import as their principal business activity can now import used vehicles. This regulation aims to streamline the import process and potentially stabilize the automotive market.

Yet, the food sector remains a critical concern for economists and policymakers alike. The rising import costs could exacerbate inflationary pressures on consumers.

The development of the Baragzai X-01 well is seen as a significant step towards boosting indigenous resources and supporting economic stability. It may help offset some of the financial burden imposed by increasing food imports.

Details remain unconfirmed regarding how these changes will affect overall economic growth in Pakistan. Observers are monitoring these trends closely.

The post Import: Pakistan’s Trends and Economic Impacts appeared first on 1News.

Pakistan received $3.3 billion in remittances in February 2026, reflecting a steady inflow despite rising tensions in the Middle East. This figure marks a 5.1% decline from January’s remittance total of $3.46 billion, as reported by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).

For the July-February period, total remittances increased by 10.5%, reaching $26.5 billion compared to the same period last year. The SBP’s latest data indicates that the remittance inflows have remained robust, a crucial lifeline for many families in Pakistan.

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has raised concerns about the stability of these inflows. Oil supplies from oil-producing Arab nations have ceased or remained significantly below normal levels for the past 12 days, which could impact future remittance flows and domestic fuel prices.

In response to current economic conditions, the SBP has decided to keep the policy rate unchanged at 10.5%. This decision comes as headline inflation rose to 7% in February 2026, adding pressure on consumers and businesses alike.

Moreover, large-scale manufacturing recorded a cumulative growth of 4.8% during the first half of the fiscal year 2026, indicating some resilience in the industrial sector. The current account posted a surplus of $121 million in January 2026, while foreign exchange reserves increased to $16.3 billion.

Despite these positive indicators, the government recently raised petroleum prices by Rs55 per litre, a move that could further strain household budgets. The Pakistani rupee recorded a marginal gain of 0.92 paisa against the US dollar, closing at PKR 279.36 per USD.

As observers watch the situation closely, uncertainties remain regarding the stability of remittance inflows as the regional situation develops. Potential challenges to remittance flows in March due to ongoing conflict could further complicate the economic landscape. Details remain unconfirmed.

The post State Bank of Pakistan Reports $3.3 Billion in Remittances for February 2026 appeared first on 1News.

The Pakistani rupee (PKR) closed at 279.36 against the US dollar (USD) on March 10, 2026, marking a significant milestone as it gained one paisa for the 116th consecutive day.

Despite this positive trend against the USD, the PKR faced challenges against other major currencies. On the same day, it lost Rs. 3.68 against the British pound (GBP) and Rs. 2.71 against the euro (EUR).

In further declines, the PKR depreciated by 1.01 rupees against the Swiss franc, closing at 360.03, and slipped by 1.16 paisa against the Japanese yen, ending at 1.7751.

The currency also lost 24.90 paisa against the Chinese yuan, closing at 40.65.

Despite these losses, the PKR has appreciated by 4.40 rupees, or 1.58%, against the USD during the current fiscal year, indicating a degree of resilience.

This mixed performance highlights the complexities of the PKR’s position in the global market, especially given Pakistan’s heavy reliance on imported energy, which makes it vulnerable to fluctuations in global oil prices.

Observers are keenly watching the currency’s trajectory, as the ongoing economic conditions and international market dynamics will play a crucial role in its future performance.

Details remain unconfirmed regarding the potential impacts of upcoming economic policies on the PKR’s stability.

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