Pakistan has sought Qatar’s support for the early signing of a free trade agreement (FTA) with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) as both countries explore opportunities to expand bilateral trade and investment.
The request was made during the second meeting of the Pakistan-Qatar Joint Task Force on Trade and Investment, co-chaired by Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan and Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Trade Affairs, Dr. Ahmad bin Mohammed Al-Sayed, in Doha on October 24.
Pakistan informed the meeting that it had completed its domestic approval process and sent the approved agreement text to the GCC Secretariat on December 31, 2025. It urged Qatar to help expedite the remaining formalities.
Pakistan Seeks to Expand Agricultural Trade
Pakistan also called for the resolution of restrictions on its bone-in meat exports to Qatar, saying it had already submitted a technical dossier addressing animal health and food safety requirements.
The two sides discussed a proposed agreement between the Trading Corporation of Pakistan and Qatar’s Hassad Food for supplying Pakistani rice under a government-to-government arrangement. The proposal has been submitted to the federal cabinet for approval.
Pakistan also invited Qatari investment in modern agriculture, grain storage, silos, cold storage, cold-chain infrastructure and advanced farming technologies.
Qatar Invited to Invest in EVs and Infrastructure
Pakistan presented investment opportunities in electric vehicles, automobile manufacturing, information technology and digital infrastructure. The discussions also covered joint manufacturing, technology transfer and industrial partnerships.
In the maritime sector, Pakistan highlighted opportunities for Qatar to invest in shipping and help secure oil tankers, liquefied natural gas carriers and container vessels. The proposed Karachi-Hyderabad Motorway was also presented as a potential investment opportunity to improve connectivity between seaports, the national road network and regional trade routes.
Pakistan also presented the concept of an investment fund covering infrastructure, agriculture, industrial development and information technology.
Both Countries Seek Stronger Economic Cooperation
Pakistan called for the early launch of 11 technical working groups covering sectors including agriculture, logistics, aviation, advanced manufacturing, mining, tourism, healthcare, financial technology, education, IT and startups.
It said the groups should identify specific trade and investment opportunities, address outstanding issues and prepare sector-wise recommendations ahead of the third meeting of the joint task force, which Pakistan will host.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to stronger trade facilitation and investment cooperation. During the meeting, Jam Kamal Khan and Al-Sayed also signed the minutes of the first meeting of the joint task force.
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