{
  "id": 7785003,
  "title": "Pakistan posts $98mn C/A deficit in August 2026",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/pakistan-posts-98mn-c-a-deficit-in-august-2026",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-16T12:27:44.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Business Recorder",
    "slug": "business-recorder",
    "url": "https://www.brecorder.com/news/40439780/pakistan-posts-98mn-ca-deficit-in-august-2026"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The State Bank of Pakistan reported a current account deficit of $98 million in August 2026, a significant decrease from the $445 million deficit seen in July 2026 and the $324 million deficit in August 2025. The deficit was attributed to an increase in imports and a modest rise in exports, with total exports reaching $3.33 billion in August 2026, up over 5% from $3.17 billion in the same month the previous year. However, total imports rose to $6.64 billion, an increase of more than 8% from $6.15 billion in August 2025. Workers' remittance inflows also increased to $3.66 billion in August 2026, a 17% year-on-year rise. For the fiscal year 2026-27 (MFY27), the current account showed a cumulative deficit of $543 million, a 36% decrease from the $853 million deficit in the same period last year. The country's foreign exchange reserves, excluding the Cash Reserve Ratio and Statutory Reserve Ratio, grew to $17.28 billion, a 19% increase year-on-year, signaling stronger external buffers despite ongoing structural pressures on the current account. Pakistan's REER, or Real Effective Exchange Rate, showed a marginal increase of 0.02% to 107.92 in August 2026 from 107.89 in July 2026. A REER above 100 indicates uncompetitive exports and cheaper imports, whereas a rate below 100 suggests the opposite. Meanwhile, the Nominal Effective Exchange Rate Index (NEER) declined by 0.79% month-over-month in August 2026 to a provisional value of 38.02 from 38.32 in July 2026.",
  "summary": "Pakistan’s current account posted a deficit of $98 million in August 2026, data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) showed on Wednesday. The latest figure follows a deficit of $445 million recorded in July 2026 and a deficit of $324 million in August 2025. The deficit came from a significantly higher import bill and a marginal increase in exports during the month. In August 2026, the…",
  "key_points": [
    "Pakistan recorded $98 million current account deficit in August 2026",
    "Exports increased to $3.33 billion, 5% higher than August 2025",
    "Imports rose to $6.64 billion, 8% more than August 2025"
  ],
  "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."
}