- The current account records $324 million deficit in April 2026
- A surplus of $1.134 billion reported in March 2026
- Sharp month-on-month reversal in external account
- SBP data reflects pressure on external sector
- Imports and payments likely key contributors
Islamabad: Pakistan’s external account situation has witnessed a significant change during April 2026, when the current account suddenly turned from a large surplus to a deficit, raising fresh questions about the country’s external financial stability.
According to the data, the latest report of the State Bank of Pakistan has shown that the current account remained in a deficit of $324 million in April 2026, while in March 2026 the same account was in a strong position with a surplus of $1.134 billion.
This change reflects an unusual fluctuation in the external accounts within just one month, which points to fundamental weaknesses in Pakistan’s economic structure and global financial pressures.
According to experts, the current account’s shift from surplus to deficit is usually due to an increase in imports, a decrease in exports, or a slowdown in remittances. However, the data available at this time does not include full details, due to which the real drivers are yet to be determined.
Economic analysts say the surplus in March was a positive development, indicating that external revenues were covering payments better than before. But the sudden reversal in April is a sign that the external account is still unstable.
Pakistan’s economy is already facing problems such as import pressure, rising energy bills and volatility in global commodity prices. In such a situation, the current account deficit could put further pressure on foreign exchange reserves and the value of the rupee.
According to international financial institutions, the current account is an important indicator of the external economic health of any country, which provides an overall picture of not only trade but also remittances and financial flows.
Policy experts say that Pakistan needs to strengthen its export base, reduce import dependence and stabilise remittance flows so that the external account can move in a positive direction again.
