NA panel flags serious concern over Pakistan's persistent trade deficit with China, other FTA partners

A National Assembly standing committee on commerce, led by MNA Jawed Hanif, has voiced strong unease over Pakistan's ongoing trade gap with China and other free trade agreement partners, according to Profit by Pakistan Today. Lawmakers asked for a full review of what is driving the imbalance, and they went through tariff changes, export support steps, the working of key trade bodies, and proposed amendments to laws.

The panel also asked for details on the Saindak project and mineral exports, in order to judge whether the country was earning a fair return on its mineral wealth. Members received a briefing on the GSP+ scheme, which is scheduled to start on January 1, 2027, covering its transition phase and compliance obligations. Hanif instructed the commerce ministry to present a detailed account of how prepared Pakistan is, including opportunities, challenges and steps needed to get the most from the arrangement.

The ministry was further told to provide detailed presentations and full reports on the Export Development Fund, GSP+, the trade gap with China, Malaysia and Indonesia, and mineral exports. The story does not name any listed company, so its direct relevance to individual PSX stocks is limited.