Pakistan’s large-scale manufacturing sector recorded annual growth of 0.7%, according to the latest data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).
The figures showed an improvement compared with the same period last year. However, large-scale industrial production fell 5% on a monthly basis, indicating mixed performance across the manufacturing sector.
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During the first two months of the current fiscal year, large-scale manufacturing recorded cumulative growth of 1.9%, the PBS report stated. The figures highlighted differences in performance across major industrial sectors.
The automobile sector recorded annual growth of 11.7%, making it one of the better-performing industries during the reported period. The petroleum sector also posted strong growth, with production increasing by 31.9%.
The apparel industry registered annual growth of 10.9%, according to the official figures. These increases helped support the overall improvement in large-scale industrial production.
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However, some sectors experienced declines in output. Chemical production fell by 12.9% compared with the same period last year, while the iron sector recorded an 11.6% decrease.
The latest figures indicate that Pakistan’s large-scale manufacturing sector continues to experience uneven performance. Although overall annual output increased, the monthly decline and lower production in certain industries reflect continuing differences across the industrial landscape.