Pakistan’s Large-Scale Manufacturing Rebounds 4.08% in Q1 FY26

Pakistan’s large-scale manufacturing (LSM) sector is showing signs of recovery, recording a 4.08% growth in the first quarter of the 2025-26 financial year, according to official data. The sector’s output rose during the July-September period compared to the same quarter last year. In September 2025, LSM output increased by 2.69% year-on-year, while August saw a 2.05% rise over the previous year. However, on a month-on-month basis, LSM growth in August was down 2.75%. Key contributors to the overall 4.08% growth, based on the Quantum Index Numbers of Large Scale Manufacturing Industries (QIM), included automobiles (1.84%), food (0.91%), cement (0.83%), garments (0.42%), and non-metallic mineral products (0.81%). Sectors such as petroleum products, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, iron and steel, machinery and equipment, and furniture posted declines. Production gains were noted in food, tobacco, wearing apparel, non-metallic mineral products, electrical equipment, automobiles, and other transport equipment. Meanwhile, beverages, chemical products, iron and steel, machinery and equipment, and furniture saw output fall.