NA panel grills MoC over export failure
ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly Standing Committee on Commerce on Thursday grilled the Commerce Ministry over its failure to improve the country’s exports, questioning its reliance on irrelevant figures and justifications for the decline. Presided over by Jawed Hanif Khan, the committee was informed that Pakistan’s exports declined by more than USD 1 billion during 2025-26, with high energy and…
The National Assembly Standing Committee on Commerce in Islamabad held a grilling session on Thursday, questioning the Commerce Ministry for the country's declining exports. Committee chair Jawed Hanif Khan led the session. The Commerce Secretary, Jawad Paul, informed the committee that Pakistan's exports declined by over USD 1 billion from USD 32 billion in 2024-25 to USD 30.8 billion in 2025-26 due to high energy and import costs making products uncompetitive.
The decline was attributed to the regional situation, conflict in Afghanistan, and significant declines in rice (USD 1.08 billion), sugar (USD 403 million), cotton (USD 134 million), plastic (USD 118 million), onions (USD 77 million), and potatoes (USD 74 million) exports. The committee suggested that government stakeholders should unite to discuss production and taxation issues.
Pakistan is losing out on international markets due to lack of competitiveness, according to the Commerce Secretary. Pakistani textile products enjoy zero tariffs in the US and Europe, but the government is reviewing other export opportunities. Despite tensions in the Middle East, Pakistan's supply chain remains operational, but some disruptions have occurred. The government is exploring new markets, including Ethiopia and fisheries.
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