Pakistan Restricts Imports from India to Life-Saving Medicines Since 2019 Trade Ban

Since the trade ban imposed in August 2019, Pakistan has limited its imports from India exclusively to life-saving medicines, as revealed by official documents accessed by ProPakistani.

During the fiscal year 2023-24, Pakistan imported $278 million worth of goods from India, while its exports to the neighboring country remained at zero for the fourth consecutive year. In the previous fiscal year, imports from India were recorded at $352 million, which significantly dropped to $27.6 million in FY23.

Prior to the suspension of bilateral trade in August 2019, Pakistan’s annual exports to India averaged $300 million between FY13 and FY19, while imports from India averaged $1.5 billion. The trade suspension was a response to India’s revocation of Article 370, which had granted special status to occupied Kashmir.

In addition to halting trade, Pakistan also suspended the appointment of a Trade and Investment Officer (TIO) at its Trade Mission in India.