Key Points
- Pakistan pitches agricultural capacity and reliable supply chains to meet Qatar’s food requirements
- Khan invites Hassad Food to FoodAg 2026 in Karachi, scheduled for Nov 23–26
- Talks with Türkiye and QBA focus on trade expansion, connectivity
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has offered Qatar a long-term food security partnership, pitching its agricultural production capacity and reliable supply chains to meet Doha’s food requirements.
At the same time, Pakistan pressed Qatar to help secure an early conclusion to the Pakistan-GCC free trade agreement and sought greater access for its exports.
The appeal came during a Pakistan-Qatar trade and investment task force meeting in Doha, 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.
Pakistan outlined investment prospects in areas, including electric vehicle manufacturing, agriculture, digital services, shipping and infrastructure. Islamabad has also asked Doha 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.
Separately, Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan made the food security offer during his meeting with Hassad Food Chief Executive Ali Hilal Al-Kuwari on the sidelines of the World Investment Forum 2026 in Doha from October 25-27, according to a statement released Monday.
During the forum, Khan held a series of bilateral meetings with Türkiye’s Deputy Minister of Trade Mustafa Tuzcu, Qatar Businessmen Association (QBA) Chairman Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani and Hassad Food CEO Eng Ali Hilal Al-Kuwari to explore opportunities to expand trade, investment and economic cooperation.
Pakistan-Hassad Food talks
In the meeting with Al-Kuwari, the federal minister discussed enhancing cooperation in agriculture, food security, agribusiness and agricultural supply chains.
The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral food and agricultural trade. They also underlined efforts to explore reliable sourcing arrangements and develop long-term partnerships between relevant institutions and businesses of both countries.
Khan highlighted his country’s agricultural production capacity and its potential to support Qatar’s food security requirements.
He also invited Hassad Food to participate in FoodAg 2026, scheduled in Karachi from November 23 to 26, 2026.
It would offer Qatari investors and businesses an opportunity to engage directly with agricultural producers, exporters and relevant government institutions.
Pakistan-Türkiye trade talks
In his bilateral meeting with Türkiye’s Deputy Minister of Trade, Mustafa Tuzcu, Khan discussed strengthening Islamabad’s economic and commercial relations with Ankara.
The talks covered expanding bilateral trade, promoting investment and identifying new opportunities for cooperation in agriculture, food security, energy, minerals, manufacturing and technology.
Both sides emphasised the importance of translating their longstanding strategic partnership into stronger economic and commercial linkages.
They also discussed the potential of regional connectivity and improved transit routes to facilitate bilateral trade.
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They pledged to expand market access and strengthen regional supply chains, underscoring the need for continued coordination between relevant institutions and technical teams.
Both sides expressed commitment to sustained dialogue and practical cooperation to unlock new opportunities for businesses and further strengthen the economic partnership between Pakistan and Türkiye.
Engagement with Qatari business community
In his meeting with Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani, Chairman of the Qatar Businessmen Association, the federal minister discussed strengthening business-to-business linkages.
They pledged to identify new avenues for collaboration in information technology, logistics, agriculture and food security.
He also highlighted Pakistan’s potential as a reliable partner in agricultural production, food supply chains and technology services.
