KARACHI: Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan said on Tuesday that the federal government was making “all-out efforts” to bring down electricity tariffs for industries, acknowledging that high energy costs remain a critical challenge for the country’s economic competitiveness.
Speaking at the inauguration of the 3rd International Food and Agriculture Exhibition at the Expo Centre, the minister said the government was reviewing economic constraints and working on targeted measures to support industrial growth. He emphasised that reducing power tariffs for manufacturers was among the government’s top priorities.
Mr Kamal highlighted that the government had already addressed a key concern of exporters by abolishing the 0.25pc surcharge on exports — a long-standing demand from the business community. He said this move, along with other policy measures, aims to boost export competitiveness at a time when Pakistan is seeking to stabilise its economy.
Mr Kamal said that representatives from nearly all major countries are in Pakistan, reflecting strong global confidence in the country’s trade and economic potential.https://t.co/mEYSEclrZi
— Dawn Business (@dawn_business) November 26, 2025
The minister said Pakistan was renegotiating trade agreements and expanding strategic economic ties. A new free trade agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council had been approved, he announced, while cooperation with the United States in trade and investment continued to grow. He added that for the first time, Pakistan had developed a trade map with the United Kingdom, and technical committees from both sides were actively engaged.
Mr Kamal said Pakistan had successfully expanded into new markets in Africa, noting the country’s recent single-country exhibition in Ethiopia. “Representatives from nearly all major countries are in Pakistan, reflecting strong global confidence in our trade and economic potential,” he said.
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Over 850 foreign delegates attended the expo, many expressing interest in Pakistan’s agricultural and industrial sectors. The minister said Pakistani companies had made substantial improvements in product value and were increasingly securing shelf space in international markets.
He stressed, however, that Pakistan must now focus on enhancing both the volume and quality of exports to maintain momentum. “Our companies have come a long way, but we need to scale up further to meet global market demand,” he said, calling for greater integration of technology, value addition and sustainable practices across the supply chain.
The minister reaffirmed that the government’s broad reform agenda would continue prioritising export-led growth — with competitive energy pricing and modern trade agreements forming its core.
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