ISLAMABAD — Pakistan’s State Bank reported that the country’s exports to Afghanistan increased by 92.05 percent in the first six months of the 2024-25 fiscal year, reaching $504.3 million, compared to $262.5 million during the same period the previous year.
According to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), on a year-over-year basis, exports to Afghanistan surged by 248.45 percent, rising from $28 million in December 2023 to $97.6 million in December 2024. However, on a month-over-month basis, exports to Afghanistan declined by 15.02 percent in December 2024 compared to $114.9 million in November 2024.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s imports from Afghanistan during July-December 2024-25 rose by 125.85 percent, reaching $9.99 million, compared to $4.4 million in the same period last year. On a year-over-year basis, imports from Afghanistan increased by 18.41 percent, rising from $1.2 million in December 2023 to $1.46 million in December 2024.
The SBP data also showed that Pakistan’s overall exports to all countries grew by 7.15 percent in the first six months of 2024-25, reaching $16.2 billion, while overall imports rose by 9.33 percent, totaling $27.7 billion.
Economic analysts warn that Afghanistan’s growing trade imbalance has made it increasingly dependent on imports, exacerbating poverty and economic instability.
Despite the Taliban’s claims of maintaining economic stability, many Afghans say that job opportunities and income sources have significantly declined since the group returned to power.
