ISLAMABAD (Special Correspondent) – Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan and Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Trade Affairs Dr. Ahmad bin Mohammed Al-Sayed co-chaired the second meeting of the Pakistan–Qatar Joint Task Force (JTF) on Trade and Investment in Doha to bolster bilateral economic cooperation. The high-level meeting focused on identifying new avenues for trade, investment, and industrial partnerships, with the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) serving as the secretariat for the Pakistani side.

Key Points

• Pakistan and Qatar reviewed bilateral economic progress made since their inaugural meeting held in April 2026.
• Pakistan urged for the swift finalization of the Pakistan–Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Free Trade Agreement.
• The session addressed technical barriers to meat exports and proposed rice supply deals via the Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP).
• Investment opportunities were showcased across sectors including agriculture, information technology, automotive manufacturing, and maritime infrastructure.

Expanding Economic and Industrial Cooperation

During the session, the Pakistani delegation emphasized the critical importance of expediting the Pakistan–Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Free Trade Agreement. Pakistan confirmed that all domestic approval processes were completed, and the relevant documentation was submitted to the GCC Secretariat on 31 December 2025. Furthermore, the Pakistani side advocated for resolving ongoing technical issues regarding the export of bone-in meat to Qatar, noting that comprehensive safety dossiers have already been shared with Qatari officials.

Pakistan’s strategy to upgrade industrial output through foreign direct investment was a central theme. The government invited Qatari entities to invest in modern agricultural infrastructure, such as cold-chain facilities and silos, to enhance national food security. Additionally, the presentation included prospects in the automotive sector, specifically focusing on New Energy Vehicles (NEVs), alongside opportunities in the burgeoning IT and digital infrastructure sectors.

Infrastructure and Future Strategic Planning

In the maritime and logistics sectors, Pakistan highlighted the potential for cooperation in shipping, including the management of LNG carriers and oil tankers. The proposed Karachi–Hyderabad Motorway was introduced as a significant investment opportunity intended to improve port connectivity and facilitate regional trade with Central Asian nations. The Qatari side expressed interest in strengthening civil aviation and air traffic links between the two countries, a matter slated for review by the Technical Working Group on Logistics and Communications.

To ensure sustained progress, Pakistan emphasized the need to operationalize eleven Technical Working Groups covering sectors such as mining, tourism, education, and financial technology. Following the conclusion of the talks, Minister Jam Kamal Khan and Dr. Ahmad bin Mohammed Al-Sayed signed the minutes of the JTF meeting. Both nations reaffirmed their commitment to the Pakistan–Qatar Joint Task Force framework to monitor and accelerate these economic initiatives ahead of the next session, which will be hosted in Pakistan.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the main goal of the second meeting of the Pakistan–Qatar Joint Task Force?

The meeting aimed to review progress on bilateral economic cooperation and explore new opportunities for trade, investment, and industrial partnerships between the two nations.

Which key sectors were identified for potential Qatari investment in Pakistan?

Pakistan invited investment in modern agriculture, grain storage, New Energy Vehicles (NEVs), information technology, and infrastructure projects like the Karachi–Hyderabad Motorway.