Pakistan drives EV, IT pitch to Qatar

October 26, 2026 (MLN): Pakistan, Qatar reviewed progress on bilateral economic ties at the second meeting of their Joint Task Force (JTF) on Trade and Investment in Doha, where Islamabad pressed Doha to help fast-track the Pakistan-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Free Trade Agreement, sought relief on curbs on bone-in meat exports, and invited Qatari investment in agriculture, automobiles, IT, maritime and infrastructure.

Federal Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan co-chaired the October 24 meeting with Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Trade Affairs, Dr Ahmad bin Mohammed Al-Sayed, said a press release issued.

Officials from relevant Pakistani ministries joined virtually, while the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), which acts as the JTF’s secretariat, coordinated from Pakistan.

The two sides took stock of developments since the first meeting in April 2026 and discussed ways to boost trade, ease investment and deepen cooperation in priority sectors.

On the GCC FTA, Pakistan asked Qatar to keep supporting efforts to wrap up the remaining formalities, noting that it had finished its domestic approvals and sent the cleared text to the GCC Secretariat on December 31, 2025.

Islamabad also asked for an early resolution of restrictions on bone-in meat exports to Qatar, pointing out that a detailed technical dossier covering animal health and food safety requirements had already been handed to the concerned Qatari authorities.

In agriculture and food security, Pakistan brought up a proposed memorandum of understanding between the Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) and Qatar’s Hassad Food for government-to-government rice supplies, which is awaiting Federal Cabinet approval.

It also invited Qatari capital into modern farming, grain storage, silos, cold storage, integrated cold-chain networks and advanced agricultural technology, and the two sides discussed sustainable food supply arrangements.

On industry, Pakistan presented opportunities in the auto sector, especially new energy vehicles (NEVs) and electric vehicles under its new EV policy, including joint manufacturing, technology transfer and industrial tie-ups. It also pitched IT and digital infrastructure, citing rising IT exports and room for partnerships and expansion of digital services.

In shipping, Pakistan flagged scope for cooperation in maritime transport, particularly in securing oil tankers, LNG carriers and container vessels to support energy security and trade connectivity.

The proposed new Karachi-Hyderabad Motorway was offered as an investment prospect that would link seaports with the national road network and ease regional transit trade, especially with Central Asia.

Qatar, for its part, stressed stronger cooperation in civil aviation and air traffic. Pakistan welcomed the proposal and said aviation matters would also be taken up by the Technical Working Group on Logistics and Communications.

Pakistan further floated the idea of an Investment Fund open to Qatari participation in infrastructure, agriculture, industrial development, IT and other priority areas.

Pakistan urged the early activation of the eleven Technical Working Groups set up at the first JTF meeting, covering logistics, aviation, advanced manufacturing, mining and minerals, agriculture, tourism, fintech, healthcare, education, industrial development, and IT and startups.

It said it had already shared the groups’ composition and asked Qatar to send its nominations soon so work could begin.

Islamabad added that the groups should pinpoint concrete trade and investment opportunities, resolve pending issues, and prepare sector-wise progress reports and recommendations before the third JTF meeting, which Pakistan will host.

At the end of the meeting, Jam Kamal Khan and Dr Al-Sayed signed the minutes of the first JTF meeting.

Both sides reaffirmed their resolve to deepen economic cooperation through regular engagement, smoother trade facilitation, stronger investment partnerships and effective follow-up under the JTF framework.

Separately, Jam Kamal Khan met Nan Li Collins, head of the World Investment Forum, in Doha.

They exchanged views on the regional situation and challenges facing the global economy, with discussions centering on Pakistan’s constructive role in promoting regional cooperation and the need for closer economic integration, better connectivity and coordinated action on shared challenges.

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