By Ijaz Kakakhel

The ghee sector accounted for nearly four-fifths of the total value of pay orders and Post-Dated Cheques (PDCs) involved in consumption certificate cases processed during the first six months of 2026, according to a sector-wise statement available with Wealth Pakistan.

A total of 71 consumption certificate cases, involving Rs74.187 billion, were dealt with between January and July 2026. The certificates related to imports made from May 2018 to June 2025 under Serial No. 151 of Table-I of the Sixth Schedule to the Sales Tax Act, 1990.

The ghee industry emerged as the dominant sector, with 26 cases involving Rs57.587 billion. It accounted for 36.6% of all cases, but its share of the total amount of pay orders and PDCs was 77.6%.

The figures indicate that the value associated with the ghee sector was substantially higher than that of all other industries combined. On average, each ghee-sector case involved around Rs2.21 billion, although the actual value may have varied considerably from one case to another.

The steel sector recorded the second-highest amount. Its eight cases involved Rs7.518 billion, representing more than 10% of the overall value. The average amount involved in each steel-sector case was estimated at approximately Rs940 million.

Textiles ranked third by the value of securities involved. The sector accounted for 11 cases, amounting to Rs5.920 billion, equivalent to almost 8% of the total. Together, the ghee, steel and textile sectors made up nearly 96% of the overall value reflected in the statement.

The food sector had the second-highest number of cases after ghee at 15, but the amount involved was considerably lower at Rs1.259 billion. Food represented more than one-fifth of the total cases but only around 1.7% of the total value.

Similarly, the plastic sector recorded three cases involving Rs1.267 billion, slightly exceeding the amount associated with the food sector despite having far fewer cases.

The packaging sector had two cases valued at Rs371.783 million, while three electronics-sector cases involved Rs203.505 million.

Smaller amounts were reported for wood, wires and cables, and petroleum. The wood sector had one case involving Rs41.399 million, while one wires and cables case was valued at Rs17.584 million. The petroleum sector recorded the lowest amount, with a single case involving Rs1.328 million.

The sectoral breakdown highlights the heavy concentration of the financial value in a limited number of industries, particularly ghee, steel and textiles. While the overall average was approximately Rs1.04 billion per case, the wide differences across sectors show that the number of cases alone does not determine the financial exposure.

The figures specifically represent the value of pay orders and PDCs associated with the consumption certificate cases. They should not be interpreted as the value of imports, tax exemptions granted, or revenue collected by the government.

Credit: INP-WealthPk