Large Scale Manufacturing (LSM) continued its sustained recovery trajectory during FY2026, reflecting strengthening industrial activity and improving growth momentum. LSM recorded growth of 6.0 percent during Jul–Nov FY2026, with the Quantum Index of Manufacturing (QIM) reaching its highest level for this period since FY2016, indicating a broad-based revival across key industries.
During the review period, 16 manufacturing sectors posted positive growth. Major contributors included textiles, wearing apparel, non-metallic mineral products, food and beverages, coke and petroleum products, electrical equipment, automobiles, and tobacco. The widespread improvement highlights strengthening domestic demand and gradual normalization of industrial supply chains.
In November 2025 alone, LSM grew by 10.4 percent on a year-on-year basis, while registering a modest increase of 0.2 percent on a month-on-month basis. The automobile sector, coke and petroleum products, and wearing apparel emerged as the leading contributors to overall growth, contributing 1.8 percent, 1.3 percent, and 1.2 percent, respectively.
The automobile sector showed particularly strong performance during Jul–Dec FY2026, supported by a sharp rise in production across multiple segments. Car production increased by 56.1 percent, while trucks and buses recorded a significant surge of 89.4 percent. Production of jeeps and pick-ups also rose by 36.9 percent, reflecting improved consumer demand and easing supply-side constraints.
The cement sector also posted encouraging results during the period. Cumulative cement dispatches reached 25.8 million tonnes in Jul–Dec FY2026, marking an increase of 9.7 percent compared to the same period last year. Domestic cement dispatches rose strongly by 13.1 percent year-on-year to 21.1 million tonnes, supported by construction activity and infrastructure-related demand. However, cement exports declined by 3.7 percent to 4.6 million tonnes during the period.
Overall, the sustained recovery in LSM underscores improving industrial confidence and growth prospects for the remainder of FY2026. Strong performance in automobiles, cement, petroleum products, and consumer-oriented industries continues to support the broader economic recovery and signals positive momentum for Pakistan’s manufacturing sector.
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