$5.9 billion export potential untapped, committee seeks answers on Pakistan’s trade performance

A parliamentary committee has demanded a detailed account of Pakistan’s sugar and wheat import and export decisions over the past seven years

Islamabad:  A parliamentary committee has demanded a detailed account of Pakistan’s sugar and wheat import and export decisions over the past seven years, seeking figures on the money spent, government subsidies, market prices and the financial impact on the national exchequer amid concerns over changing trade policies and their effect on public funds.

The National Assembly Standing Committee on Commerce, chaired by Muhammad Jawed Hanif Khan, directed the Ministry of National Food Security and Research to prepare a comprehensive report explaining the costs of importing and exporting sugar and wheat, the money earned from exports, government support provided to the sector and the actual availability of these essential commodities in the country.

The committee wants to know how much the imported commodities cost after reaching Pakistan, how much money the government earned from exports and whether these decisions protected public money and kept prices stable for consumers.

It also sought details of domestic production, available stocks, national consumption needs and the actual surplus available for export. The report must cover government decisions on sugar and wheat imports and exports, along with subsidies and other interventions.

The demand for a five to seven year record places the financial handling of two major food commodities under parliamentary scrutiny. However, the meeting record does not establish that any official or institution committed corruption or misused public funds. The committee has sought information to examine the financial impact and transparency of past decisions.

The committee also raised concern over differences between industrial production figures and export data provided by the Ministry of Industries and Production. It said better coordination was needed between government departments so that production figures matched the actual quantity of goods available for export.

The committee stressed that Pakistan needed a single and reliable system for reporting industrial production and exports. Without accurate figures, it would be difficult to know how much a sector could actually sell in international markets.

Another major issue discussed was Pakistan’s estimated untapped export potential of $5.9 billion across 20 high potential product categories. The estimate was based on an analysis by the International Trade Centre. The committee called for separate plans for these sectors to help Pakistani businesses compete internationally and reach new markets.

The meeting also reviewed the impact of regional conflicts in Iran, the Middle East and Afghanistan on Pakistan’s trade. Border closures and disruptions to trade routes have affected exports, while higher freight and insurance costs have increased pressure on exporters.

The committee was informed that the government was looking for alternative routes and markets to reduce the impact of these disruptions. One option under consideration is sending exports to Tajikistan through Iran.

Exports to ASEAN countries more than doubled during July to October, while rice exports increased by around 46 per cent during the first four months of the current financial year.

China accounted for more than 90 per cent of Pakistan’s sesame seed exports, showing the importance of the Chinese market but also the need to expand sales to other countries.

The committee was also informed that the government had coordinated with regional airlines, including Emirates, Gulf Air and Fly Jazeera, to improve air transport for perishable agricultural products. The aim is to reduce freight and handling costs and help Pakistani farmers and exporters deliver their products to foreign markets more easily.

During the meeting, the committee examined the Anti Dumping Duties (Amendment) Bill, 2026. The Ministry of Commerce told members that the proposed changes were intended to strengthen action against unfair trade practices, improve the collection and recovery of anti dumping duties and speed up appeals.

Under the proposed changes, the time allowed for filing appeals before the Anti Dumping Appellate Tribunal would be reduced from 45 days to 30 days. The bill also proposes giving the Islamabad High Court exclusive appellate jurisdiction in these matters.

Other proposed changes include revising the period for provisional measures, strengthening the recovery of anti dumping duties under the Customs Act, changing financial security requirements and adjusting duty rates for exporters who do not cooperate with investigations.

After examining the bill clause by clause and holding detailed discussions, the committee recommended it for passage by the National Assembly.

The committee also discussed the Trade Organizations (Third Amendment) Bill, 2026, moved by MNA Muhammad Farooq Sattar. The discussion focused particularly on the status of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce.

The committee repeated its earlier position that chambers of commerce should be organised at the divisional level rather than separately for individual districts. The bill was sent to the National Assembly Secretariat’s Legislative Drafting Branch for technical and legal improvements. The revised draft will be returned to the committee for further consideration.

The meeting was attended by MNAs Khurshid Ahmed Junejo, Dr Ramesh Kumar Vankwani, Farhan Chishti and Mir Amir Ali Khan Magsi. Dr Farooq Sattar, who moved the Trade Organizations Amendment Bill, also attended.

Senior officials from the Ministries of Commerce, Law and Justice, Industries and Production, National Food Security and Research, as well as the National Assembly Secretariat, were present.

The meeting ended with a vote of thanks from the chairman to the members for their participation.