Pakistan Parliamentary Committee Scrutinizes Trade, Expo Centre Delays & Export Initiatives

Islamabad – A National Assembly Standing Committee on Commerce has voiced concerns regarding delays in establishing the Quetta Expo Centre and implementing the Export Accelerator for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The committee, chaired by Jawed Hanif Khan, also addressed issues of cost escalation, project location changes, and a lack of provincial coordination during a meeting on February 25, 2026.

Quetta Expo Centre: Funding and Implementation Challenges

The Ministry of Commerce requested an additional Rs3 billion in funding for the Quetta Expo Centre project. However, the Planning Division suggested managing allocations within existing resources or seeking project-specific approvals [Dawn]. Concerns raised included prolonged delays, changes in the project’s location, insufficient provincial coordination, and accountability gaps.

Export Accelerator for SMEs: Demand for Clear Outcomes

Committee members emphasized the necessity of clearly defined outcomes, financial commitment, and improved inter-ministerial coordination to ensure the effective implementation of the Export Accelerator for SMEs [na.gov.pk].

Rice Exporter Support and Export Development Fund

The committee endorsed the allocation of Rs15 billion from the Export Development Fund (EDF) to support rice exporters, recognizing the strategic importance of this subsidy amid regional market shifts and export restrictions imposed by India [Dawn]. The Commerce Ministry has committed to daily monitoring of the subsidy and will submit a detailed follow-up report within 90 days.

NICL and PRCL Performance Review

The committee reviewed the performance of the National Insurance Company Limited (NICL), acknowledging strong results over the past three years and real estate holdings valued at Rs25 billion, including properties in Dubai worth Rs4.6 billion [Dawn]. Discussions covered investment limits, standard operating procedures (SOPs), portfolio diversification, and risk coverage. The mandate and investment philosophy of the Pakistan Reinsurance Company Limited (PRCL) were also reviewed in anticipation of its upcoming privatization.

Gem and Jewellery Sector: Potential and Challenges

Pakistan’s gem and jewellery sector was also discussed, with members noting estimated reserves of $450 billion and exports of Swat emeralds. Challenges highlighted included illegal gold exports and the absence of a hallmarking system [Dawn]. Proposals were presented for establishing a regulatory body, creating export promotion centers, and adopting regional and international best practices to ensure the sector’s sustainability and independent management.

Addressing Regulatory Issues and Remittances

Concerns were raised regarding value addition requirements and Statutory Regulatory Order (SRO) 760, which affects gold and gemstone exports. Committee members stressed the need for better coordination between the Commerce Ministry and the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to resolve issues related to remittances and regulatory compliance [Dawn].

Focus on Declining Exports

The National Assembly Standing Committee on Commerce also decided to seek briefings from the Ministries of Defence, Interior, and Foreign Affairs, as well as the State Bank of Pakistan, regarding the stagnation and decline in Pakistan’s exports to regional countries [Business Recorder] and [Pakistan Today]. This decision followed a Calling Attention Notice highlighting the lack of significant export growth over the past two decades and the challenges in achieving a $60 billion export target.