Pakistan, Oct. 5 -- The All Pakistan Business Forum (APBF) has called for a comprehensive policy shift to convert the recent rise in exports into sustained export-led growth, warning that the widening trade deficit shows that higher export receipts alone cannot resolve Pakistan's external-sector challenges.

The call comes after Pakistan's merchandise exports increased 10.84 per cent to $8.43 billion during the first quarter of FY27, from $7.59 billion in the corresponding period last year. However, imports grew by a much faster 13.21pc to $19.22bn, pushing the trade deficit up 15.13pc to $10.79bn. September exports also rose 17.61pc year-on-year to $2.94bn.

APBF President Syed Maaz Mahmood and Chairman Ibrahim Qureshi said the latest fi...