Pakistan’s Large Scale Manufacturing (LSM) sector recorded a healthy growth of 6.48 percent during July–March 2025-26 compared to the same period last year, according to provisional data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).
The Quantum Index of Manufacturing (QIM) stood at an average of 124.80 points during the nine-month period, up from 112.42 points in the corresponding period of FY25. In March 2026 alone, the QIM rose to 123.03 points, reflecting a strong 11.09 percent increase on a year-on-year basis, though it declined 5.19 percent month-on-month.
The growth was primarily driven by impressive performances in the automobile, sugar, food, garments, petroleum products, and cement sectors. The automobile sector remained the star performer, posting a massive 61.66 percent cumulative growth during July–March and 61.35 percent in March.
Sugar production surged with a cumulative growth of 30.97 percent, while garments expanded by 6.6 percent cumulatively. Petroleum products grew 10.92 percent, and cement recorded 9.13 percent growth over the nine months. Food sector posted 9.77 percent cumulative growth.
Other notable performers included tobacco (11.70% cumulative) and rubber products (14.26%). However, some sectors witnessed declines, including iron & steel (–6.33%), pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and fertilizer on a cumulative basis.
The PBS data highlighted that on a weighted contribution basis, automobiles contributed 1.50 percentage points, food 1.79, garments 1.08, and petroleum products 0.79 to the overall 6.48 percent growth.
Analysts see the robust LSM recovery, especially in export-oriented and consumer sectors, as a positive signal for broader economic momentum heading into the final quarter of FY26.
