A gap of nearly $70 million between government claims and official statistics has thrown Pakistan's fish export figures into doubt. The maritime affairs minister announced a record $568 million in exports for FY26, yet the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics reports less than $500 million. The discrepancy stems from how different agencies count and record trade data. Main Developments On July 9, Maritime Affairs Minister Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry stated that fish and fish preparations exports hit a record $568 million in FY26. However, PBS data shows exports at $482 million (215,170 tonnes) for the same period, compared to $465 million (216,482 tonnes) in FY25. This represents a 0.61% drop in quantity and a modest 3.6% increase in value. Faisal Iftikhar, former CEO of the Fisheries Development Board and ex-chairman of the Pakistan Fisheries Exporters Association, explained the mismatch to Dawn. He noted that the Pakistan Single Window records exports that have physically left ports by June 30, while PBS relies on the State Bank of Pakistan, which tracks export proceeds credited by that date. Both sources are accurate but use different methodologies, leading to consistent slight variations. Read also: Why parliament staff bonuses spark a battle over financial autonomy Background Historically, PBS was considered the sole reliable source for export data. The introduction of the Pakistan Single Window system has created a parallel tracking mechanism, introducing discrepancies that confuse policymakers and exporters. Frozen fish remains the top export earner at $105.09 million, followed by frozen squid and cuttlefish ($103.71 million) and fish meal ($83.12 million). Why It Matters Accurate trade data is critical for economic planning, tariff negotiations, and investor confidence. A $70 million gap undermines trust in official statistics and complicates efforts to assess the true performance of Pakistan's seafood sector. Key buyers include China, Thailand, Malaysia, the UAE, Japan, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Indonesia, and the United States. What's Next Observers expect the government to clarify which dataset will be used for official reporting going forward. The ongoing divergence between PSW and PBS figures may prompt a review of data collection protocols to ensure consistency across agencies.