Large-Scale Manufacturing Grows 4.44% in July-August

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan’s Large-Scale Manufacturing Industries (LSMI) posted a growth of 4.44% during the first two months (July–August) of the fiscal year 2025–26 compared to the same period last year, according to the latest data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).

On a year-on-year basis, LSMI output rose by 0.54% in August 2025 compared to August 2024. However, on a month-to-month comparison, production declined by 2.75% in August compared to July 2025.

The provisional quantum index for August 2025, based on the 2015–16 base year, was compiled using input from various source agencies across industrial sectors.

PBS highlighted that the key contributors to the overall 4.44% growth were:

• Food (+1.02%)

• Tobacco (+0.17%)

• Garments (+0.84%)

• Paper and Board (+0.21%)

• Cement (+0.98%)

• Automobiles (+1.83%)

• Other Transport Equipment (+0.23%)

Conversely, some sectors recorded negative growth, including:

• Textiles (-0.03%)

• Petroleum Products (-0.21%)

• Chemicals (-0.13%)

• Pharmaceuticals (-0.11%)

• Iron and Steel Products (-0.16%)

• Machinery and Equipment (-0.11%)

• Furniture (-0.17%)

The data indicates a positive trend in key sectors such as food processing, garments, cement, and automobile manufacturing, while several traditional sectors like textiles, chemicals, and steel showed sluggish performance.

Read More:Inflation Rises to 5.6% in September, Says PBS

Core inflation in Pakistan rose to 5.6% in September 2025, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). This marks a significant increase compared to 3.0% in August. The monthly inflation rate also surged by 2.6%, nearly double the previous month. In contrast, August saw a slight decrease of 0.6%. This sharp rise has raised concerns among consumers and policymakers.

Urban inflation also showed a steep climb in September. It rose to 5.5% compared to 3.4% in August. Meanwhile, rural inflation increased to 5.8%, up from 2.4% the previous month. These figures reflect a broad-based rise in prices across the country. The jump in both urban and rural inflation signals growing pressure on household budgets. This trend is worrying for low- and middle-income families.