Pakistan seeks early signing of GCC free trade agreement in talks with Qatar

Pakistan pressed Qatar to help secure an early conclusion to the Pakistan-GCC free trade agreement and sought greater access for its exports, Business Recorder reported. The appeal came during a Pakistan-Qatar trade and investment task force meeting in Doha on October 24, co-chaired by Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan and Qatar’s foreign trade minister. Pakistan said it had completed domestic approvals and sent the agreed text to the GCC Secretariat on December 31, 2025.

The discussions also covered lifting Qatar’s restrictions on bone-in meat imports and a proposed rice supply arrangement between the Trading Corporation of Pakistan and Hassad Food, which is awaiting federal cabinet approval. Pakistan outlined investment prospects in areas including electric vehicle manufacturing, agriculture, digital services, shipping and infrastructure, and asked Qatar to nominate members for 11 technical working groups. The two ministers signed the record of the task force’s first meeting, while Pakistan is due to host the next session.