ISLAMABAD: Surprising as it may seem, Pakistan’s exports to the United States were on the rise during former premier Imran Khan’s tenure, ironically, when he was frequently accusing the US of conducting “regime change operation” in the country.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to the US Masood Khan revealed on Saturday that Pakistan’s year-on-year exports to the United States have increased by 23 per cent and the total volume of exports, for the first time, crossed $5 billion last year — mostly during the time when Imran Khan-led government was in power.
Imran’s allegations that he was ousted from power as part of the ‘US-orchestrated plan’ for allegedly pursuing an independent foreign policy apparently do not go hand-in-hand with the country’s exports to the US on an upward trajectory.
During last financial year, Ambassador Masood said, exports have already grown to $6.16 billion in the July-May 2021-22 period, saying the figures of June, which have yet to come, would further enhance the overall volume of total Pakistan’s exports the US.
“The United States is an important trading partner and the single largest export destination for Pakistan. The spurt in our exports is a very promising trend,” he added.
In the last financial year, the envoy said that Pakistan’s imports from US stood at $2.4 billion. In the July-May 2021-22 period, he said, they have increased to $2.72 billion, adding imports from US have increased marginally whereas there has been a huge rise in our exports.
Masood said that Pakistan’s total exports to the US in the sectors of Services and IT have crossed $2 billion. Cumulatively, he said, the total volume of exports should be more than $8 billion, including services and IT.
“Pakistan’s tech sector, supported mainly by the United States’ entrepreneurs, has shown extraordinary results. It is poised to continue on its positive trajectory,” the ambassador said.
