The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics reported a 1.63 percent decline in overall petroleum group imports during the first five months of the current fiscal year compared to last year.
Total petroleum imports during July to November 2025-26 stood at $6,416.181 million, down from $6,522.619 million in the same period last year.
While imports of petroleum products rose by 3.97 percent and petroleum crude increased by 13.38 percent, experts say these gains are not enough to offset wider losses in the energy supply chain.
Imports of Liquefied Natural Gas fell sharply by 29.87 percent, while Liquefied Petroleum Gas imports dropped by 6.99 percent, signaling reduced industrial and commercial usage.
Other petroleum products saw a steep decline of 44.69 percent, reflecting lower activity in supporting sectors such as transport, storage, and distribution.
On a year-on-year basis, petroleum group imports declined by 10.03 percent in November, while month-on-month imports fell by 7.88 percent compared to October.
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Economists warn that reduced petroleum imports often lead to fewer shifts at ports, lower demand for transport services, and slowdown in energy-dependent industries, directly affecting job opportunities.
They say prolonged contraction in energy imports could hurt employment in logistics, manufacturing, power generation, and fuel retail sectors.
Lower imports usually mean lower economic activity. Energy-linked jobs are often the first to feel the impact. Transport and industrial workers face higher risk. If the trend continues, job recovery may slow further.
