Adviser to the Finance Minister Khurram Schehzad on Tuesday highlighted a series of positive macroeconomic developments, signaling improved stability and resilience in Pakistan’s economy despite ongoing external and regional challenges.
Khurram highlights strong macroeconomic improvement despite challenges
ISLAMABAD, Mar 17 (APP):Adviser to the Finance Minister Khurram Schehzad on Tuesday highlighted a series of positive macroeconomic developments, signaling improved stability and resilience in Pakistan’s economy despite ongoing external and regional challenges.
Pakistan recorded a current account surplus of US$ 427 million in February 2026 (the largest since March 2025), the advisor posted on his official handle “X”.
He said foreign direct investment (FDI) also registered a 24 percent month-on-month increase during the same period while the workers’ remittances continued their upward trajectory, rising 5 percent month-on-month and 11 percent year-on-year during the first eight months of FY2026.
Meanwhile, the IT and technology sector exports reached US$ 365 million in February 2026, up 19 percent year-on-year, and nearing US$ 3 billion cumulatively during the eight months, showing a growth of 20.
He said the country’s foreign exchange reserves had reached a four-year high, with better import coverage providing additional stability to the economy.
On the industrial front, large-scale manufacturing (LSM) recorded double-digit growth in January 2026, expanding around 12 percent month-on-month and 11 percent year-on-year, while cumulative growth stood at approximately 6 percent during the first seven months of the fiscal year.
Referring to global commodity trends, the adviser said international oil prices had softened, with Brent crude easing to around US$102 per barrel and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) to US$ 95. Oil futures at backwardation, indicating investor expectations for a decline ahead back to around US$ 60 range.
He said Pakistan had successfully secured energy supplies for March and most of April, improving fuel stock availability and ensuring smooth and sustained economic operations, supported by conservation and austerity measures.
Despite external and regional challenges, the advisor stressed that strengthening macro fundamentals are helping build buffers and a stronger foundation to face future challenges with greater resilience.
