Pakistan has asked Qatar to support the early signing of a free trade agreement (FTA) with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) as Islamabad looks to expand exports, attract foreign investment and strengthen economic ties with Gulf countries.
The request was made during the second meeting of the Pakistan-Qatar Joint Task Force on Trade and Investment, held in Doha on October 24, 2026. Federal Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan and Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Trade Affairs, Dr Ahmad bin Mohammed Al-Sayed, co-chaired the meeting.
According to Pakistan’s Ministry of Commerce, the country has completed its domestic approval process for the proposed GCC trade agreement and forwarded the approved text to the GCC Secretariat on December 31, 2025. Pakistan urged Qatar to help accelerate the remaining formalities required to move the agreement towards signing. Source: Pakistan’s Press Information Department
The discussions also covered agricultural exports, food security, electric vehicles, information technology, maritime transport and infrastructure development. Pakistan presented several investment opportunities to Qatar and called for practical measures to address outstanding trade barriers.
Pakistan Seeks Early Signing of GCC Free Trade Agreement
The proposed free trade agreement was a central issue during the discussions between Pakistani and Qatari officials.
The GCC comprises Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman. A trade agreement with the bloc could provide Pakistan with a framework to improve market access for its exports and strengthen commercial relations with these six Gulf economies.
Pakistan has already completed its domestic approval process and sent the approved agreement text to the GCC Secretariat. However, the agreement has not yet been signed, and the latest meeting focused on securing Qatar’s support for completing the outstanding formalities.
An FTA can reduce or eliminate customs duties on eligible goods and establish rules governing trade between participating countries, depending on the terms negotiated. For Pakistan, improved access to Gulf markets could create opportunities for exporters across agriculture, food products, manufacturing and other industries.
The agreement’s eventual impact would depend on the final terms, product coverage, rules of origin and implementation arrangements.
Pakistan is therefore seeking progress on the agreement as part of its broader efforts to increase exports, attract investment and deepen economic cooperation with the Gulf region.
Pakistan Seeks Removal of Restrictions on Meat Exports
Pakistan also raised the issue of restrictions affecting its bone-in meat exports to Qatar and requested that the matter be resolved promptly.
During the meeting, Pakistani officials said they had already submitted a technical dossier addressing animal health and food safety requirements to the relevant Qatari authorities.
Resolving the issue could provide Pakistani meat exporters with an opportunity to expand their access to the Qatari market, subject to the applicable regulatory requirements.
Agricultural and food exports are an important part of Pakistan’s trade discussions with Gulf countries, where demand for imported food products creates potential commercial opportunities.
However, access to these markets depends on compliance with sanitary and phytosanitary standards, product certification and other import regulations.
Pakistan’s request signals an effort to address a specific trade barrier through technical engagement rather than leaving the issue unresolved during broader economic negotiations.
Proposed Pakistani Rice Supply Deal Awaits Cabinet Approval
Food security and agricultural cooperation also featured prominently in the talks.
Pakistan and Qatar discussed a proposed government-to-government arrangement involving the Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) and Qatar’s Hassad Food for the supply of Pakistani rice.
According to the Ministry of Commerce, the proposal has been submitted to Pakistan’s federal cabinet for approval.
If approved and finalised, the arrangement could create a structured channel for supplying Pakistani rice to Qatar and strengthen commercial cooperation between the two countries.
The proposal also reflects Pakistan’s interest in using institutional partnerships to develop more predictable export opportunities for local agricultural producers.
However, the arrangement remains a proposal pending the required approval. The meeting did not announce a completed rice supply contract or confirm the final quantity and value of exports.
The outcome will depend on the approval process and the subsequent terms agreed between the relevant organisations.
Qatar Invited to Invest in Agriculture and Food Storage
Pakistan also invited Qatari investors to participate in modern agriculture and related infrastructure projects.
The opportunities presented included grain storage facilities, silos, cold storage, integrated cold-chain infrastructure and advanced farming technologies.
These areas are relevant to food security because storage and temperature-controlled logistics can help preserve agricultural products, improve supply-chain efficiency and reduce losses during transportation and distribution.
Investment in modern farming technologies could also support productivity and improve the handling of agricultural output.
For Qatar, participation in such projects could create opportunities to strengthen commercial links with Pakistani agricultural producers and food-supply businesses.
For Pakistan, foreign investment could help develop infrastructure that supports domestic food distribution as well as exports.
The two countries have identified agriculture as a potential area for deeper cooperation, although any investment would depend on project assessments, financing arrangements and agreements between the relevant parties.
Pakistan Presents Opportunities in Electric Vehicles and IT
During the meeting, Pakistan outlined investment opportunities in electric vehicles, automobile manufacturing, information technology and digital infrastructure.
The proposals included potential cooperation in joint manufacturing, technology transfer and industrial partnerships.
Electric vehicles and automobile manufacturing could offer opportunities for investment in production facilities, components and related technology. Cooperation in these areas could also support the development of local industrial capabilities, depending on the projects undertaken.
Pakistan also highlighted opportunities in information technology and digital infrastructure, sectors that can support business services, digital trade and technological collaboration.
The government’s broader objective is to attract investment that contributes to economic activity while creating opportunities for industrial development and stronger commercial links with foreign partners.
No final investment agreement in these sectors was announced during the meeting. Instead, the two sides discussed possible areas for further engagement and cooperation.
Maritime Investment and Karachi-Hyderabad Motorway Proposed
Pakistan also presented opportunities for Qatari investment in maritime transport and infrastructure.
The proposals included investment in shipping assets such as oil tankers, liquefied natural gas carriers and container vessels.
Developing maritime capacity can be important for a country seeking to strengthen its international trade because shipping connects domestic producers with foreign markets and supports the movement of energy supplies and commercial goods.
Pakistan also highlighted the proposed Karachi-Hyderabad Motorway as a potential investment opportunity.
The project was presented in the context of improving connections between seaports, the national road network and regional trade routes.
Improved road infrastructure could support the movement of goods between major commercial centres and port facilities, although the project’s implementation would depend on planning, financing, approvals and construction arrangements.
Pakistan also presented the concept of an investment fund covering infrastructure, agriculture, industrial development and information technology.
The proposal is intended to provide another possible channel for attracting Qatari participation in priority economic sectors. No final decision to establish the fund was announced during the meeting.
Eleven Technical Working Groups Proposed
Pakistan called for the early launch of 11 technical working groups to translate discussions into practical trade and investment initiatives.
The proposed groups would cover agriculture, logistics, aviation, advanced manufacturing, mining and minerals, tourism, healthcare, financial technology, education, information technology and startups.
According to the Ministry of Commerce, Pakistan has already shared the composition of its proposed working groups and asked Qatar to nominate its representatives so that the groups can begin their work.
The groups are expected to identify specific commercial opportunities, address outstanding bilateral issues and prepare sector-wise progress reports and recommendations.
These recommendations will help inform discussions ahead of the third meeting of the Pakistan-Qatar Joint Task Force, which Pakistan is scheduled to host.
Qatar also emphasised the potential for greater cooperation in civil aviation and air traffic between the two countries.
The working-group mechanism is intended to provide a structured way to follow up on proposals discussed by the two governments and identify practical next steps.
Pakistan and Qatar Reaffirm Economic Cooperation
At the conclusion of the meeting, Jam Kamal Khan and Dr Ahmad bin Mohammed Al-Sayed signed the minutes of the first meeting of the Pakistan-Qatar Joint Task Force on Trade and Investment.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to improving trade facilitation, strengthening investment partnerships and maintaining regular engagement through the joint task force.
The discussions covered a broad range of areas, from the proposed GCC free trade agreement and agricultural exports to industrial cooperation, technology and transport infrastructure.
For Pakistan, the immediate priorities include advancing the GCC trade deal, resolving restrictions on bone-in meat exports and securing progress on proposed commercial arrangements.
The next phase will involve follow-up by the technical working groups, responses from the relevant Qatari authorities and decisions on the proposals that require government approval.
Although the meeting did not produce a signed GCC free trade agreement or confirm all the proposed investment projects, it established a framework for continued discussions.
The third joint task force meeting, which Pakistan will host, is expected to provide another opportunity to assess progress and pursue concrete trade and investment outcomes.
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