Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's directive to develop a comprehensive strategy for exporting surplus food to Gulf countries has received support from senior business leaders, who view the initiative as timely amid regional supply disruptions and increased demand for reliable food sources in the Middle East.
According to Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Shahid Rasheed Butt, the former president of the chamber, welcomed the initiative, emphasizing its strategic importance. He noted that ensuring food security for Gulf nations, with whom Pakistan shares longstanding diplomatic and economic ties, represents both a strategic opportunity and a potential to deepen bilateral cooperation.
The global supply chain challenges, driven by geopolitical tensions and climate-related disruptions, position Pakistan's agricultural base—spanning crops, rice, meat, poultry, dairy, and seafood—to expand its role as a dependable food supplier to regional partners, Butt remarked.
He stressed the importance of proactive engagement at the highest level to convert goodwill into concrete export orders before competing suppliers capture the market. The prime minister's directive to involve the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation in facilitating sea-route exports addresses a logistical challenge that has previously limited large-scale food shipments to Gulf markets.
Butt also highlighted the significance of keeping ambassadors and trade officers in Gulf states actively engaged, noting that commercial relationships in these markets often thrive through sustained diplomatic and institutional support.
Pakistan already has a notable presence in Gulf food markets, exporting rice, meat, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products. At Gulfood 2026 in Dubai, over 150 Pakistani companies participated, nearly doubling the previous year's presence, reflecting strong demand for Pakistani products.
Butt stated that the prime minister's initiative builds on this commercial momentum by providing the policy direction and institutional backing needed to accelerate exports.
Pakistan's overall exports from July to January of fiscal year 2025-26 were 18.19 billion dollars, a decline of 7.11 percent compared to the same period the previous year, according to official trade data. This underscores the urgency of expanding into higher-value food segments and strengthening access to stable external markets.
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