Addressing a press conference after the third session of the Joint Ministerial Commission in Islamabad, Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani said his country, currently holding the GCC presidency, was working to speed up approval of the long-pending Pakistan-GCC free trade agreement. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar also noted that the pact was “almost ripe,” with only one member state yet to give the green light. For Pakistan, coming off another difficult year for merchandise exports, getting the agreement over the line would be of considerable significance.
Pakistan’s merchandise trade with the six GCC economies reached about $20.2 billion in 2024, but exports accounted for barely $3 billion. Much of that imbalance is structural, with mineral fuels and related products making up the overwhelming share of imports from the Gulf. Pakistan is not going to tariff its way out of an energy deficit. What it can do is sell considerably more into one of the world’s richest consumer markets.
GCC economies import goods worth hundreds of billions of dollars every year, yet Pakistan’s share remains negligible. Lower duties can help Pakistani rice, meat, textiles, fruit and vegetables compete. They cannot fix unreliable delivery, inconsistent quality, weak branding, certification problems or expensive logistics. Preferential access has value only when exporters can meet the standards and schedules demanded by Gulf buyers.
Pakistan already has clues about where to push. Cereals and meat are among its largest exports to the GCC, while textiles, vegetables and fruit have established footholds. Gulf governments are spending heavily on food security and diversifying supply chains. Pakistan’s proximity gives its producers an advantage over suppliers much farther away, provided that cold chains, packaging and quality control improve with the opportunity. The relationship should also be measured beyond containers moving through ports. Dar’s request that Bahrain recognise Pakistani degrees and professional qualifications deserves attention. Pakistan’s strongest economic link with the Gulf has long been its workers. The next gain should come from moving more of them into higher-skilled, higher-paid employment in healthcare, engineering, finance, technology and specialised services.
The FTA itself has already spent too long on the negotiating table. Pakistan and the GCC concluded the main negotiations in September 2023 and spoke then of expeditious signing, ratification and implementation. Three years later, internal approvals are still being completed.
That delay should at least have given Pakistan time to prepare. Chambers, commercial missions and exporters should already be identifying buyers, understanding rules of origin and resolving certification requirements rather than waiting for another signing ceremony.
