ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan’s textile and attire exports suffered a broad-based decline throughout its three largest markets, the European Union, america and the UK, through the first half of FY26, signalling a deepening competitiveness disaster for the nation’s largest export sector.
Chairman of Pakistan Textile Council (PTC) Fawad Anwar stated the downturn was not confined to a single product or vacation spot however mirrored systemic weaknesses in the price of doing enterprise, in keeping with an announcement issued on Wednesday. Textiles and attire, Pakistan’s largest export-oriented business, face quick dangers to international trade earnings, employment and industrial capability utilisation, he warned.
An evaluation of export tendencies for knitted attire, woven attire and residential textiles reveals a gentle weakening by way of the half yr, with November and December rising because the lowest level. The decline was seen throughout all main classes and markets concurrently.
“The information confirms this isn’t a demand-side or market-access subject. It’s essentially a cost-of-doing-business and competitiveness disaster,” Anwar stated. “When exports decline throughout all main product classes and markets concurrently, the issue is systemic.”
He famous that whereas Pakistan’s exports weakened, competitor economies intensified state help for business. Regardless of commerce tensions, China recorded a commerce surplus of almost one trillion {dollars} within the first eleven months of 2025, supported by diversification and sustained industrial backing. India accepted a five-billion-dollar export help bundle, whereas Vietnam launched tax reduction, improved entry to industrial land and focused incentives.
“Towards this backdrop, Pakistan’s exporters are being requested to compete globally with structurally increased power prices, fragmented taxation, delayed refunds, and coverage unpredictability,” Anwar stated.
