Islamabad: The National Assembly was informed today that the government is actively pursuing a policy aimed at improving the country's trade environment by fostering export sectors and contributing to overall economic development.
According to Radio Pakistan, during the Question Hour in the House, Parliamentary Secretary for Commerce Zulfiqar Ali Bhatti provided updates on the current Strategic Trade Policy Framework. The framework includes measures to boost Pakistan's export competitiveness through various interventions across all sectors. It also emphasizes securing market access through Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), Preferential Trade Agreements (PTAs), and strengthening trade ties with Central Asian Republics, Turkey, Iran, Europe, and Russia.
The Parliamentary Secretary further informed that two new trade missions are being established in Darussalam, Tanzania, and Maputo, Mozambique, to enhance trade engagements in these regions. A Memorandum of Understanding has been shared with the East African Community, aiming to conclude a Free Trade Agreement with Kenya and Rwanda.
In response to another question, Zulfiqar Ali Bhatti stated that the bilateral trade volume between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia during the last fiscal year amounted to 5.7 billion dollars. Additionally, he informed the House that the ministry has secured duty-free concessions on more than 94 percent of Pakistani products in the UK following Brexit.
Addressing a calling attention notice, Parliamentary Secretary for Finance and Revenue Saad Waseem Sheikh informed the House about the Federal Government's provision of over 600 billion rupees to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government for the development of the erstwhile FATA. This amount is in addition to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's share in the NFC award.
In response to another notice, Minister of State for Railways Bilal Azhar Kayani highlighted existing laws and mechanisms to ensure women's inheritance rights. He emphasized the importance of further efforts to ensure these rights and mentioned ongoing awareness campaigns, urging religious scholars to contribute to this cause.
Several bills were introduced in the House today, including 'The Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2025', 'The Orbit Institute of Management and Technology Bill, 2025', 'The Right to Free and Compulsory Education (Amendment) Bill, 2025', 'The al-Biruni International University Bill, 2025', 'The Anti-Rape (Investigation and Trial) (Amendment) Bill, 2025', and 'The Pakistan Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2025'. The chair referred these bills to the concerned standing committees.
The House will reconvene tomorrow at 11 in the morning.