ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and New Zealand discussed boosting cooperation in various fields, with a special focus on agriculture and education, as the two sides held a Joint Trade Committee (JTC) meeting in Wellington, the Foreign Office said on Saturday.
The 5th round of Pakistan–New Zealand Political Consultations and the 3rd round of the Joint Trade Committee (JTC) meetings were held on Thursday, in “a significant step in deepening bilateral engagement” between the two Commonwealth countries, the Foreign Office said.
Pakistan and New Zealand signed an Education and Agriculture Cooperation Arrangement.
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Pakistan and New Zealand Hold Political Consultations and Joint Trade Committee Meetings in Wellington
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— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) August 8, 2026
Political consultations cover wide range of issues
The Political Consultations were co-chaired by Ambassador Dr. Syed Ali Asad Gillani, Additional Foreign Secretary (Asia Pacific) of Pakistan, and Grahame Morton, Deputy Secretary of the Americas and Asia Group at New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
During the meeting, both sides conducted a comprehensive review of bilateral relations and explored avenues to strengthen cooperation across a wide spectrum of areas, including high-level exchanges, economic development, science and technology, education, counterterrorism, transnational crime, and people-to-people ties.
The delegations also exchanged views on regional and international developments and agreed to enhance coordination within multilateral forums.
Ambassador Gillani briefed the New Zealand side on Pakistan’s efforts to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East, as well as the regional situation in South Asia, including the situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and India’s continued violations of the Indus Waters Treaty. Deputy Secretary Morton acknowledged Pakistan’s constructive role in the Middle East peace process.
Read Also: Pakistan, New Zealand PMs discuss Middle East tensions, reaffirm ties
Joint trade committee focuses on expanding commerce
Separately, the 3rd round of the Pakistan–New Zealand Joint Trade Committee meeting was also held. The Pakistani delegation was led by Jawad Paul Khawaja, Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, while the New Zealand delegation was again headed by Grahame Morton.
Discussions under the JTC focused on bolstering bilateral trade and investment, with particular emphasis on agriculture, livestock, information technology, education, and services.
Both sides deliberated on improving market access and enhancing cooperation in sustainable agriculture, including exploring technical collaboration in wool production and plant protection.
Institutional mechanisms to further economic cooperation were also discussed during the meetings.
Education cooperation arrangement signed
A key outcome of the meetings was the signing of the Education Cooperation Arrangement between Pakistan and New Zealand, which is expected to significantly deepen collaboration in the education sector.
The agreement aims to strengthen institutional links and deepen people-to-people connections between both countries.
Shared commitment to forward-looking partnership
The Foreign Office spokesperson said the overall discussions provided an opportunity to assess progress in bilateral ties, identify new areas for partnership, and reaffirm the shared commitment to a forward-looking and mutually beneficial relationship.
Pakistan and New Zealand maintain cordial and friendly relations, with both countries being members of the Commonwealth. Bilateral trade stands at $12 million, with Pakistan’s major exports being textile products, apparel, rice, leather articles and sports goods, while main imports from New Zealand include dairy products, wood pulp, paper, edible oil, wood, iron steel and electrical machinery.
