News

Pakistan’s large-scale manufacturing (LSM) sector recorded a modest year-on-year growth of 1.79% in March 2025, according to the latest figures from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). This comes amid persistent macroeconomic challenges and fluctuating performance across industrial segments.

📊 July–March FY2024–25 Overview

Despite the slight recovery in March, the LSM sector has contracted by 1.47% during the first nine months (July–March) of FY2024–25 compared to the same period last year. This overall downturn highlights ongoing structural and economic hurdles.

📈 Key Performers vs. Decliners

Sectors that posted positive growth during this period:

• Textile

• Wearing apparel

• Tobacco

• Coke and petroleum products

• Automobiles and transport equipment

Sectors that declined in output:

• Food and beverages

• Chemicals

• Non-metallic mineral products

• Iron and steel

• Electrical equipment

• Machinery

• Furniture

📉 March YoY Industry Highlights

Comparing March 2025 with March 2024, the following sectors saw major drops:

• Machinery & equipment: –71.7%

• Fabricated metal products: –19.1%

• Iron & steel products: –4.24%

However, other industries posted year-on-year gains:

• Textile: +5.15%

• Automobiles: +18.8%

• Leather products: +4.33%

• Pharmaceuticals: +4.75%

• Food products: +20%

• Sugar: +67%

• Cotton yarn: +8.8%

• Cotton cloth: +0.74%

• Coke & petroleum: +4.47%

• Electronics & optical products: +8.15%

📌 Sectoral Share in Economy

The LSM sector is vital to Pakistan’s economic structure, accounting for 69.3% of total manufacturing and contributing around 8.2% to the national GDP. However, the 4.64% decline from February 2025 to March 2025 indicates continued instability and emphasizes the need for targeted industrial policy support.