Entertainment
Trade deficit up 25% to $25bn in 8 months
- Official data shows rising strain on external account balance.
- Imports climb 8.1% to $45.5bn in July-February FY26 period.
- Economists warn deficit may pressure rupee and reserves.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s merchandise trade deficit surged by 25% year-on-year to reach $25 billion during the first eight months of the current fiscal year, as imports remained more than twice the value of exports.
The latest official figures released on Monday underscored mounting pressure on the country’s external account, signalling renewed stress on its balance of payments position, The News reported.
Figures released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics showed imports during July-February FY26 rose 8.1% to $45.5 billion, while exports dropped 7.3% to $20.46bn, leaving the import bill more than double the country’s goods sales abroad.
The gap continued to widen in February 2026, with the monthly trade deficit expanding 4.6% year-on-year to $2.98bn. Exports fell 8.76% from a year earlier to $2.27bn, while imports reduced 1.6% to $5.25bn.
On a month-on-month basis, the slowdown was sharper. February exports plunged 25.6% from January’s $3.05bn, while imports declined 9.5% from $5.8bn.
The services sector offered limited relief. The services trade deficit widened 14% to $2.07bn in July-January FY26, compared with $1.82bn a year earlier, even as exports rose 18.78% to $5.66bn. Services imports climbed 17.5% to $7.7bn over the same period.
In January alone, the services deficit grew 5.1% year-on-year to $304.8 million. Services exports jumped 31% to $885m, but imports outpaced at $1.189bn, up 23.3%.
In the last fiscal year (FY25), the services trade deficit had narrowed 15.8% to $2.62bn, driven by a 9.2% rise in services exports to $8.4bn, compared with a modest 2% increase in imports to $11bn.
Economists say the expanding goods deficit, driven by subdued export momentum and resilient import demand, could strain foreign exchange reserves and keep pressure on the rupee unless export competitiveness improves or import compression deepens.
Entertainment
David Harbour onboards cast of ‘John Rambo’
David Harbour has joined the cast of John Rambo, the origin story prequel to the iconic Sylvester Stallone franchise, taking on the role of Major Trautman, Rambo’s commanding officer and the closest thing the one-man fighting force has ever had to a calming influence.
The Stranger Things star is a late addition to the film, which wrapped production in Thailand in March.
In the original Rambo trilogy of the 1980s, the role of Trautman was played by Richard Crenna.
Harbour steps into those shoes for a story set before the events of First Blood, following a young John Rambo, played by Noah Centineo, as a soldier fighting in the jungle, years before he becomes the stoic loner audiences came to know.
The film is directed by Jalmari Helander, the Finnish filmmaker behind the Sisu movies, known for their brutal and uncompromising action.
It is another high-profile addition to what is shaping up to be a very busy period for Harbour.
He is currently receiving strong notices for his role as Floyd Smernitch in DTF St. Louis, has Avengers: Doomsday in post-production, and is also working on Violent Night 2, Evil Genius and Lionsgate’s A Head Full of Ghosts.
He previously worked with AGBO on Extraction, making John Rambo a reunion of sorts with the production company.
Entertainment
Ice Spice slapped at McDonald’s by fan: Here’s what actually happened
American rapper Ice Spice got involved in a physical altercation at McDonald’s when a female fan approached her table and slapped her.
The incident reported by TMZ took place on Wednesday, April 15, when the 26-year-old was enjoying a meal with a friend.
The female fan approached their booth and tried to squeeze in next to the rapper’s companion.
When both of them asked her to leave, she became frustrated and hit Ice Spice.
The fight began inside the restaurant but quickly moved outside, where more video footage reveals the aggressor delivering a second punch. Both women fell to the ground during the brawl on the street.
Bradford Cohen, legal counsel for Ice Spice, issued a statement referring to the attack as an “unprovoked attack” that was reported to the LAPD.
Cohen clarified: “We will be pursuing any and all avenues to hold the perpetrators responsible for their actions, including criminally and civilly. We are also exploring holding the location responsible for their lack of appropriate security.”
The attacker is identified as Vayah, who told a different story. She said that Ice Spice behaved rudely and called her a “bit*h” when she tried to show her “some love.”
The video of the incident revealed that the rapper picked up the fan’s phone and threw it out of the restaurant.
For now, nobody has been arrested by the LAPD.
Entertainment
Duchess Sophie says ‘peace is the only option’ in tribute to Sudan victims
Duchess Sophie marked the third anniversary of the war in Sudan with a deeply focused visit to the headquarters of Plan International in London.
She joined youth advocates and government representatives to highlight world’s worst humanitarian crisis.
As patron of the children’s charity, the Duchess took part in a roundtable discussion examining the devastating impact the conflict has had on civilians.
Speaking during the event, she described Sudan as experiencing “the most horrendous human cost on the planet.”

Despite her experience speaking to women affected by conflict globally, the accounts emerging from Sudan stood out as some of the most distressing she has encountered.
She went on to stress the importance of sustained attention and international responsibility, saying, “No human should ever have to encounter such devastation and violence.
We must not forget them and I will keep raising my voice where and when I can.”
During the Plan International gathering, Sophie also added a handwritten message to a “tree of reflection,” writing: “Peace is the only option. The people of Sudan are not forgotten.”
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