Gohar Ejaz warns govt of faltering exports, record high trade deficit

Former Caretaker Federal Minister Dr Gohar Ejaz has expressed concerns over the decline in national exports as Pakistan's trade deficit was continuously widening, reported 24NewsHD TV Channel.

Taking to his social media account at X, business icon Gohar Ejaz said that Pakistan set a target of 10% annual growth in goods exports starting June 2023. “We achieved that target during FY2023–24, recording US$30.9 billion in goods exports”, Gohar Ejaz added.

He expressed concerns that over the last two years since June 2024, the government has lost focus and failed to sustain the targeted 10% export growth.

“As of June 2026, goods exports stand at only US$30.1 billion, i.e. US$800 million LESS than the US$30.9 billion achieved in June 2024”. Former Federal Minister said as a result, Pakistan has lost an estimated US$8 billion in potential goods exports over the past two years while recording its highest-ever trade deficit of US$39.4 billion this year. 

Gohar Ejaz urged the government to focus on exports as the current trend is not Sustainable economic model.