Pakistan’s reported restrictions on trade with India have come under scrutiny after import data reportedly showed nearly $62 million worth of Indian goods entering Pakistan in just three months, marking a 69% increase.
The figures raise questions about how Indian-origin products continue to reach Pakistani markets despite Islamabad’s official trade restrictions and the closure of the direct land route. However, the reported increase does not necessarily mean that direct bilateral trade has resumed.
Trade Restrictions and Closed Land Routes
Pakistan suspended direct trade with India in 2019 following New Delhi’s decision to revoke Jammu and Kashmir’s special constitutional status. Relations deteriorated further in 2025, when India announced additional measures against Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack, including the closure of the Attari land transit point.
Despite these restrictions, Indian-origin goods may still reach Pakistan through third countries and intermediary trading hubs. Such indirect routes can make it difficult to distinguish between direct bilateral commerce and imports of Indian products routed through international markets.
What the $62 Million Figure Reveals
The reported $62 million in imports, alongside a 69% increase, points to continued demand for Indian-origin products in Pakistan. But the exact interpretation depends on the underlying data: the reporting period, product categories, country-of-origin classifications and whether the figures capture direct or indirect shipments.
Without examining the original import records, the figures cannot independently establish that Pakistan has officially resumed direct trade with India or that its restrictions have been formally lifted.
An Economic Contradiction Amid Political Tensions
The reported numbers highlight the gap that can emerge between political restrictions and commercial realities. Even when direct trade is prohibited, supply chains and third-country intermediaries can continue connecting businesses and consumers across borders. The key question is whether the increase reflects indirect imports through other countries or a change in the enforcement of Pakistan’s trade restrictions. The underlying customs data would be needed to establish the precise explanation.