Pakistan’s large-scale manufacturing sector grew 6.44% during July-April FY26, supported by a strong recovery in automobile production and gains in food, garments, cement and other consumer-linked industries, according to provisional data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.
The latest figures show that industrial output continued to improve during the first 10 months of the fiscal year, although the recovery remained uneven across major manufacturing categories. The Quantum Index of Manufacturing stood at 122.19 during July-April FY26, compared with the same period of the previous year.
On a year-on-year basis, large-scale manufacturing output increased 6.06% in April 2026. However, production fell 8.32% compared with March, indicating a month-on-month slowdown after stronger activity earlier in the year.
Automobile production drives industrial growth
The automobile sector was the largest contributor to overall growth, adding 1.61 percentage points to the expansion in large-scale manufacturing. Vehicle production rose 64.33% during July-April FY26, while output in April alone increased 83.88% compared with April 2025.
Garments also supported the increase, contributing 1.19 percentage points as production grew 7.34% during the review period. Food industries added 1.60 percentage points, reflecting stronger activity in consumer-related manufacturing.
Several other industries also posted gains. Cement production increased 9.13%, beverages 7.87%, tobacco 12.74%, electrical equipment 13.46%, furniture 27.89% and other transport equipment 42.30%.
At the product level, sugar production rose 31.60% during July-April FY26, supported by improved raw material availability and higher processing activity.
Recovery remains uneven across manufacturing sectors
Despite the overall increase, several parts of Pakistan’s manufacturing sector remained under pressure.
Pharmaceutical production declined 6.55%, iron and steel products fell 6.98%, chemicals dropped 2.30%, fertilizers decreased 1.98% and machinery and equipment contracted 4.18%.
PBS data showed positive growth in food, beverages, tobacco, textiles, wearing apparel, paper and board, petroleum products, rubber products, non-metallic mineral products, fabricated metal products, electrical equipment, automobiles, transport equipment and furniture.
Leather products, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, iron and steel products, and machinery and equipment remained in negative territory during the period.
The data suggest that consumer demand, transport activity and construction-related production are supporting Pakistan’s industrial recovery. However, the contraction in heavy manufacturing and pharmaceuticals indicates that the rebound has not spread evenly across the economy.
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