Pakistan-Qatar trade talks target rice, EVs and a motorway

Pakistan-Qatar trade got a fresh push in Doha, where both governments reaffirmed closer economic ties and new investment in farming and shipping.

Jam Kamal Khan, Pakistan’s commerce minister, sat alongside Dr Ahmad bin Mohammed Al-Sayed, Qatar’s minister of state for foreign trade, in the second round of talks of the Joint Task Force on Trade and Investment on October 24.

What the Pakistan-Qatar trade meeting reviewed

Ministers checked what has happened since April 2026, when the group first met. Topics ranged from farming and food security to industry, technology, shipping and infrastructure.

Officials from several Pakistani ministries joined by video. Meanwhile, the Special Investment Facilitation Council coordinated the session from Pakistan, since it serves as secretariat for the task force.

In closing, Pakistan-Qatar trade officials signed the record of the first meeting. Both governments said they will keep talking and follow up on decisions.

Pakistan-Qatar trade pact and meat curbs

Pakistan urged an early signing of its free trade agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council. It also asked Qatar for continued help in finishing the remaining formalities.

Pakistani officials said the country completed its domestic approval process and sent the approved text to the bloc’s secretariat on Dec 31, 2025. The deal should give Pakistan wider market access across the Gulf.

Islamabad also complained about restrictions on its bone-in meat sales to Qatar. It wants a quick fix, and it noted that it had already given Qatari authorities a detailed technical file on animal health and food safety.

Food security and Pakistan-Qatar trade in rice

Food security featured prominently. Pakistan highlighted a draft deal between the Trading Corporation of Pakistan and Qatar’s Hassad Food, under which Pakistan would supply rice. The federal cabinet has yet to approve it.

Pakistan also invited Qatari investors into modern agriculture, silos, cold storage and the wider cold chain, along with new farming technology. As a result, the talks covered steady food supply arrangements as well.

Cars, shipping and a motorway

The Pakistani delegation presented openings in the car sector, especially electric vehicles under the country’s new policy. Joint manufacturing and technology transfer drew interest too.

Pakistan further invited Qatari money into digital infrastructure and shipping. It listed oil tankers, gas carriers and container vessels as possible areas.

The proposed Karachi-Hyderabad Motorway also came up as an investment option. Officials said it would improve links to ports and help trade with Central Asian countries.

Pakistan floated the idea of an investment fund, too. Such a fund could back roads, farms, factories and other priority sectors.

Working groups and next steps

Qatar asked for stronger cooperation on civil aviation and air traffic. Pakistan welcomed that idea, and a technical group on logistics and communications will handle aviation matters.

Islamabad wants all 11 technical working groups to start soon. They cover logistics, aviation, mining, farming, tourism, health, education, financial technology and information technology. Pakistan has named its members and asked Qatar to do the same.

Each group should find investment openings, tackle open issues and report progress before the next gathering. Pakistan will host that third meeting of the task force.

Later, Jam Kamal Khan met Nan Li Collins, who leads the World Investment Forum, to talk about regional economic integration. For now, Pakistan-Qatar trade depends on follow-up from both governments.