ISLAMABAD, (APP – UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News – 4th Sep, 2026) Advisor to Finance Minister, Khurram Schehzad here on Friday said that Pakistan’s consumer confidence showed signs of cautious recovery during the third quarter of 2026, with improvements recorded across several key indicators.
In a post on X, he said the latest Ipsos Consumer Confidence Index for Q3 2026 indicated a gradual rebuilding of consumer sentiment after a setback in the second quarter caused by regional uncertainty.
According to the data shared by the adviser, the Consumer Confidence Index rose to 33.6 in Q3 from 33.2 in Q2. He said 24 percent of respondents viewed Pakistan as moving in the right direction, broadly stable in recent months but more than double the 11 percent recorded two years ago.
Inflation remained the top concern for consumers, but the share citing it as a major concern fell by nine percentage points to 69 percent, he added.
Khurram Schehzad said 23 percent of respondents expected the economy to strengthen over the next six months, nearly twice the 12 percent recorded two years ago.
He noted that household purchase confidence improved by three percentage points to 10 percent, while confidence in making major purchases rose by two percentage points to seven percent. Investment confidence also edged up to 15 percent, he said.
The adviser further highlighted improvements in broader confidence indicators, with the Expectations Index rising by 0.7 points, Investment Index by 1.4 points and Jobs Index by 1.5 points.
“After regional and global uncertainty weighed heavily on sentiment in Q2, Q3 is showing early signs of stabilization and rebuilding confidence,” he said.
He stressed that sustaining macroeconomic stability, containing inflationary pressures, strengthening jobs and incomes, and translating improving economic expectations into stronger household confidence would remain important
.
“Confidence is rebuilding – gradually, cautiously, but in the right direction,” Khurram Schehzad said.
