Report: Wajahat Ali Khan:
Reports show that some 25 years back Pakistan’s overall trade with UK was a negative trade balance of approximately $2.26 billion and trade as a percentage of GDP at 23.58%, indicating a significant flow of goods and services that included British exports and Pakistani imports, with the UK historically a key partner for Pakistan in textiles, services, and engineering, even if recent figures show increased trade with other nations like China and the UAE.
As time passes, today the UK-Pakistan bilateral trade relationship is growing, with recent focus on boosting investment in sectors like IT, healthcare, and green energy, marked by new dialogues and a new UK Trade Envoy. While total trade neared £4.7 billion in late 2024 and beginning of 2025, the UK is shifting from aid to investment, seen in new initiatives supporting Pakistan’s growth, alongside cooperation on climate and border security. Key Pakistani exports to the UK include textiles (house linens), while the UK provides investment and expertise, with over 200 British firms active in Pakistan.
Now, UK-Pakistan trade hit a record high, exceeding £5.5 billion in the four quarters tills mid-2025, marking a significant 14% increase, with UK exports reaching £3.0 billion and imports £2.4 billion, signalling growing economic ties and confidence, noted last year in December 2025 reports.
This trade milestone was announced alongside the first ministerial development talks between the UK and Pakistan in eight years, highlighting renewed momentum and cooperation in economic engagement, investment, and tackling global challenges like climate change.
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