Pakistan, May 16 -- Pakistan's large-scale manufacturing (LSM) sector grew 1.79% year-on-year in March 2025, according to data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). This moderate increase reflects gains in key industries such as tobacco, textiles, coke and petroleum products, automobiles, and transport equipment.

However, the broader picture remains concerning. During the first nine months of FY2024-25, from July to March, the LSM sector contracted by 1.47% compared to the same period last year. This ongoing decline highlights the challenges still facing Pakistan's industrial base.

The PBS report noted that while some sectors showed improvement, others continued to struggle. Food, chemicals, non-metallic mineral products, iron a...