Islamabad: The Standing Committee on Commerce convened on September 23, 2024, at Parliament House, focusing on critical aspects of Pakistan’s trade policies including export enhancement, regional trade dynamics, and the performance of the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP). Chaired by Muhammad Jawed Hanif Khan, the meeting aimed to address various strategic issues impacting the nation’s trading posture and economic resilience.
According to National Assembly of Pakistan announcement issued on 23 September 2024, the committee engaged in comprehensive discussions led by the Secretaries from the Ministries of Commerce, Defence, and Foreign Affairs. The central topics included security and diplomatic priorities in regional trade, particularly concerning neighboring countries such as India, Iran, Afghanistan, and China. The absence of senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was noted with disappointment, highlighting the necessity for full participation in future engagements to underscore the significance of these discussions.
The committee also expressed concerns over the representative from TDAP attending via Zoom, emphasizing the need for physical presence to foster more effective dialogue. As a result, discussions related to TDAP were postponed to a subsequent meeting. The members underscored the importance of developing actionable strategies to enhance Pakistan’s export capabilities and urged the Ministry of Commerce to delineate clear, measurable steps to meet export targets.
Further discussions highlighted the need for Pakistan to emulate successful regional trade models and reduce its heavy reliance on imports from China. The committee pointed out the socio-economic challenges in Balochistan, particularly in border trade, which require more focused exploration in upcoming sessions to optimize the region’s trade potential.
The meeting concluded with a strong call for formalizing banking channels to facilitate smoother trade with neighboring countries and for increased cooperation between government bodies and the private sector to tackle trade barriers and boost export performance. The committee reaffirmed its commitment to advancing strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing Pakistan’s trade infrastructure and economic indicators.
The meeting witnessed participation from multiple MNAs including Mr. Muhammad Atif, Mr. Khursheed Ahmed Junejo, Mr. Mirza Ikhtiar Baig, Mr. Farhan Chishti, and others, along with senior officers from the Ministry of Commerce, demonstrating a collective resolve to address the challenges and opportunities within Pakistan’s trade framework.