{
  "id": 5499068,
  "title": "High costs squeeze Pakistan's exports",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/high-costs-squeeze-pakistans-exports",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-03T18:23:38.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Express Tribune - Pakistan",
    "slug": "the-express-tribune-pakistan",
    "url": "https://tribune.com.pk/story/2627353/high-costs-squeeze-pakistans-exports"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Rising energy and import costs in Pakistan have made its products more expensive in international markets, leading to a decline in exports of various goods, the Senate Standing Committee on Commerce heard on Wednesday. Commerce Secretary Javed Pal reported that Pakistan's exports declined in the previous fiscal year compared to 2024-25, with rice exports alone falling by $1 billion. Exports of sugar, cotton, onions, sesame, and potatoes also decreased. High domestic energy and import costs are making Pakistani products expensive and hindering their competitiveness in global markets. Pakistan is exporting cotton while importing it from India. During a briefing on the Export Development Fund, the Trading Corporation of Pakistan highlighted the cost pressures faced by exporters, resulting in their loss of competitiveness. The committee heard about potential export opportunities in seafood, with 300 to 400 donkeys being sent to Gwadar monthly. Donkey meat is also being exported from the port of Gwadar. The export of pharmaceutical products to Ethiopia showed progress, and efforts were ongoing to expand trade and create new commercial opportunities. Negotiations on reviewing the free trade agreement with China were also being held periodically. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a meeting to explore measures to facilitate trade and address difficulties faced from factories to ports, noting several domestic obstacles hindering the country's exports. The committee considered the third amendment to the Trade Organisations Bill 2026, which aims to remove restrictions on trade chambers being limited to individual districts. Karachi, being a major city with multiple districts, would benefit from having only one chamber under the proposed amendment. All political parties had agreed on the legislation, and the Commerce Ministry would consult the Ministry of Law on its implementation. India provided billions of dollars in subsidies to its farmers last year, but Pakistan's exports continue to struggle despite tax and duty concessions in the US, Europe, and Britain.",
  "summary": "Energy and import costs erode competitiveness",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}