Despite the ban on direct trade with India, Indian goods are reaching Pakistan in large quantities. Surprisingly, Pakistan's imports from India in the first quarter of the 2026-27 financial year increased by 69 percent compared to the previous year. This raises questions about how these goods are actually reaching Pakistan.

According to a report in the Dawn newspaper, Pakistan imported goods worth $ 61.74 million from India between April and June this year. Their value in our currency is about Rs. 5,876 crore. Last year, the value of imports during the same period was only $ 36.55 million. On the other hand, no imports of goods from Pakistan were recorded in India during the same period.

Relations between India and Pakistan were severely damaged after the terrorist attack in Pahalgam in April last year. In addition to suspending trade through the Wagah-Attari border route, India has imposed a ban on the direct and indirect import of goods manufactured in or exported from Pakistan. Pakistan has also stopped trade with India.

However, experts believe that third countries are becoming the route for Indian goods to reach Pakistan. They say that it is possible to move goods through centers like Dubai, Singapore, and Colombo and show their country of origin separately. However, the latest import figures do not clearly reveal the route through which the goods reached.

What goods are in demand?
Mainly medicines, plastic products, petroleum products, chemicals, rubber, coffee, tea, vegetables, spices, dairy products, and cereals are going from India to Pakistan. India is a key supplier to Pakistan, especially for raw materials required for the manufacture of medicines.

According to an estimate by the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), the value of unofficial Indian exports through third countries could be up to $ 10 billion per year. However, this is only an estimate. More clarity is needed on how trade continues despite the ban.

Despite the near-halt in official trade between India and Pakistan, the latest figures suggest that demand for Indian goods in Pakistan continues. Are goods reaching Pakistan bypassing the ban? If so, what steps are being taken to prevent them?