Pakistan’s trade deficit with Saudi Arabia falls 18.37%

Pakistan's trade deficit with Saudi Arabia has decreased by 18.37% during the first two months of the current financial year. According to the Daily Times, the deficit fell to $471 million in July and August 2026, compared to $577 million during the same period last year. This decline is mainly attributed to a significant reduction in Pakistan's imports from Saudi Arabia.

Meanwhile, tensions in the region have been escalating. A Houthi drone was reportedly intercepted and destroyed by Saudi air defenses south of Mecca, with Saudi Arabia claiming it was heading towards the holy city. However, the Houthis denied this claim, stating that they had not targeted Mecca. This incident occurred just a month after Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement.

The US has also issued a travel advisory, warning citizens to reconsider travel to Saudi Arabia due to risks including armed conflict, missile and drone attacks from Iran, and threats from Houthis in Yemen. The advisory also noted that some areas in the Gulf country have increased risk, with a Level 4 "do not travel" advisory for neighbouring Yemen.

Brief written by urgent.news from Daily Times, Live Mint, Middle East Eye, DW English (Top Stories), DW News — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.