ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s directive to formulate a comprehensive strategy for exporting surplus food to Gulf countries has drawn praise from senior business leaders, who described the move as timely amid regional supply disruptions and rising demand for reliable food sources in the Middle East. Shahid Rasheed Butt, former president of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, welcomed the initiative, saying the prime minister had acted at an appropriate moment. He said ensuring food security for Gulf nations, with whom Pakistan shares longstanding diplomatic and economic ties, was both a strategic opportunity and a step that could deepen bilateral cooperation. With global supply chains under pressure due to geopolitical tensions and climate-related disruptions, Pakistan’s diverse agricultural base covering crops, rice, meat, poultry, dairy, and seafood positions the country to expand its role as a dependable food supplier to regional partners, he said. APP
