PBS Revises Import Data to Align with IMF Requirements

Pakistan’s Bureau of Statistics (PBS) has revised its monthly and annual import data after identifying discrepancies worth billions of dollars, as the country moves to meet data-related requirements under its IMF programme.

 

The revisions could affect import figures by as much as $30 billion over certain periods, with potential implications for Pakistan’s GDP calculations and estimates for several major sectors of the economy.

 

According to government officials, PBS has completed a comprehensive report detailing the discrepancies and submitted it to the Ministry of Finance. The ministry is currently reviewing the findings and is expected to publish the report by the end of August.

 

The data discrepancies emerged after significant differences were identified between import figures reported by PBS and the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). The issue initially came to attention in trade data involving China before officials discovered that certain tariff lines had not been fully captured in PBS statistics.

 

The Pakistan Single Window and other relevant institutions subsequently worked to reconcile the differences and improve the process for collecting and compiling import data.

 

The IMF also raised the issue as part of its review of Pakistan’s $7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF), directing PBS to prepare a comprehensive reconciliation and strengthen its statistical procedures.

 

The IMF’s latest review requires Pakistan to publish revised monthly and annual import statistics, along with explanations of the discrepancies and their impact, by the end of August 2026.

 

The revisions come ahead of the IMF review mission expected to visit Pakistan in early September for the next assessment under the EFF programme.

 

While PBS has completed the technical exercise, the government is reviewing the findings closely because of their potential impact on Pakistan’s historical trade figures, GDP estimates and broader economic statistics.