Pakistan, Tajikistan PTA negotiations restart, trade expansion in focus

March 30, 2026 (MLN): Pakistan and Tajikistan have moved forward to strengthen economic relations by resuming negotiations on a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA), aimed at boosting regional trade and connectivity.

Both sides are optimistic about finalizing the agreement in the coming months, which is expected to reduce tariffs on key goods and significantly increase bilateral trade volumes that currently remain below potential, APP reported.

The latest round of talks was held virtually via Zoom, bringing together senior officials from Pakistan’s Ministry of Commerce and Tajikistan’s Ministry of Economic Development and Trade.

Speaking to APP, Atif Ikram Sheikh, President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), highlighted that the PTA would cover sectors such as textiles, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and light engineering.

Meanwhile, Sardar Tahir Mehmood, President of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), noted that the agreement could also open doors for broader cooperation in energy, hydropower, and infrastructure.

The business community in Pakistan is eager to expand exports of rice, surgical instruments, and garments, while Tajikistan is expected to gain improved market access for aluminum, cotton, and dried fruits.

Officials also linked the negotiations to wider regional initiatives such as the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), which aim to enhance economic integration and connectivity between Central and South Asia.

Despite positive progress, challenges such as regulatory alignment, limited banking channels, and weak transport connectivity remain.

Both countries stressed the importance of improving transit and logistics infrastructure, including developing new trade routes and better utilizing existing corridors.

The PTA aligns with Pakistan’s “Look Central Asia” policy to deepen engagement with the region, while Tajikistan sees it as an opportunity to gain better access to seaports via the Arabian Sea.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to overcoming obstacles through continued dialogue and technical cooperation, signaling a new phase of economic partnership between the two nations.

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