The Senate Standing Committee on Commerce, chaired by Senator Anusha Rahman, pressed for stronger policy reforms and prompt implementation of the Prime Minister\u2019s directives after reviewing a range of trade and regulatory issues. Lawmakers raised concerns about stalled border infrastructure projects, hurdles in barter trade with Iran, bureaucratic barriers to allowing foreign chambers of commerce in Pakistan, slow follow-up on memoranda of understanding, and persistent export constraints affecting provinces such as Balochistan. The committee also examined the governance of state-owned enterprises and called for clearer accountability and faster privatization processes.<\/p>\n
Committee members expressed alarm over continued non-functionality of the Badini border crossing despite prior commitments to make it operational. The crossing, inaugurated some years ago, remains largely inactive because of poor road conditions, lack of basic amenities and insufficient support from the Afghan side. The committee urged immediate action to fast-track the planned 40-kilometer road project, improve interagency coordination among the Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Interior and the Government of Balochistan, and appoint a focal person to monitor progress. Members also called for engagement with Afghan counterparts and proposed a site visit to the adjoining Afghan border area in the near future.<\/p>\n
On barter trade with Iran, the committee raised concerns about practical problems facing traders under the current arrangement, including issues related to SRO 642(1)\/2023. Lawmakers faulted bureaucratic delays within the Commerce Ministry in formalizing the SRO notification and directed that the barter framework remain facilitative, permitting business-to-business transactions under clear conditions. The committee urged the Ministry of Commerce to coordinate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Federal Board of Revenue and the Law Division to finalize amendments that protect trader interests while ensuring compliance with international obligations.<\/p>\n
The committee reviewed procedures for establishing chambers of commerce for foreign countries and found the current system weak compared with international practices. Officials reported bureaucratic hurdles, lack of clear protocols, outdated policies, processing delays and unresolved deficiencies in pending applications, alongside inactivity by some chambers. The committee directed that procedures be streamlined, focal persons appointed, and reciprocal establishment encouraged. It recommended moving to embassy-based verification instead of no-objection certificates and using trade officers abroad to advocate for Pakistani chambers. A revised policy framework was requested within weeks to remove ambiguities and strengthen international trade facilitation in line with government goals.<\/p>\n
On implementation of memoranda of understanding and protocols, the committee emphasized the Prime Minister\u2019s directive that agreements must translate into tangible outcomes and called for robust implementation mechanisms. The Ministry of Commerce reported it had shared a list of 148 companies with the Board of Investment for follow-up, with BOI tasked to engage those firms directly. Committee members stressed coordinated follow-up between the Ministry, BOI and the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan to avoid duplication or gaps, and noted that chambers with Chinese-speaking representatives could help maximize opportunities under bilateral agreements.<\/p>\n
The activation of sector-specific export councils also came under review. Initially created as 17 councils and recently increased to 20, these bodies are being supported administratively by TDAP and include representatives from trade associations, major exporters, government departments and research institutions. The committee stressed that these councils must consult meaningfully with stakeholders, especially chambers in Balochistan, given the province\u2019s key export role in rice, potatoes, kinnow, seeds and mangoes. Members highlighted persistent constraints such as weak infrastructure, limited official expertise, high energy costs and inadequate cold-chain facilities, and urged that export roadmaps address both sector-specific needs and cross-cutting supply-chain issues. Protecting domestic produce from non-tariff barriers and closer consultation with local chambers were also underscored as priorities.<\/p>\n
The committee briefly discussed the issue of retrospective salary payments and was informed that such matters fall under the authority of the respective boards concerned.<\/p>\n
Regarding state-owned enterprises, members reviewed current governance and privatization status and raised concerns about accountability. It was noted that many SOEs are managed by private-sector appointees and overseen by the Central Monitoring Unit operating under the Ministry of Finance. The committee directed that representatives from the Privatization Division and the Central Monitoring Unit be invited to the next session for detailed discussions on nomination processes, performance evaluation and the status of entities slated for privatization.<\/p>\n
Present at the meeting were Senators Amir Waliuddin Chishti, Rahat Jamali, Saleem Mandviwalla, Ahmed Khan and Sarmad Ali, along with the Secretary In-charge and Additional Secretary from the Ministry of Commerce and senior officials from the relevant departments.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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