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Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan met Hassad Food Chief Executive Ali Hilal Al-Kuwari on the sidelines of the World Investment Forum 2026, where Pakistan pitched a long-term food security partnership built on its agricultural production strengths. The discussions centred on expanding ties in agriculture, agribusiness and supply chains, according to a statement carried by Business Recorder. Jam Kamal Khan emphasised Pakistan’s ability to deliver quality products through dependable arrangements, positioning the country as a stable partner for Qatar’s needs. The minister separately held talks with Turkish and Qatari business leaders to broaden economic cooperation across multiple fronts.
The ministry’s statement detailed how the meeting explored reliable sourcing deals and institutional partnerships between the two sides. Pakistan presented its extensive farming base as capable of addressing gaps in Qatar’s domestic supply while fostering commercial links for both nations. Such arrangements align with ongoing efforts to secure sustainable food flows amid regional demand pressures. Jam Kamal Khan used the forum platform to advance bilateral trade beyond the immediate food focus.
Jam Kamal Khan invited Hassad Food to take part in FoodAg 2026, set for November 23 to 26 in Karachi, as a direct follow-up to the partnership proposal. The event would allow Qatari businesses to connect with Pakistani producers, exporters and officials. Participation is expected to translate forum-level talks into concrete investment and trade commitments. The ministry framed the invitation as an opportunity to deepen engagement on agricultural technology and logistics.
A day earlier, Jam Kamal Khan co-chaired the second Pakistan-Qatar Joint Task Force meeting on trade and investment with Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Trade Dr Ahmad bin Mohammed Al-Sayed in Doha, according to reports in Dawn and Arab News. That session reviewed progress on economic cooperation and stressed early finalisation of a Pakistan-GCC free trade agreement, with Pakistan seeking Qatari support to complete remaining steps. The talks also addressed lifting restrictions on Pakistani bone-in meat exports after submission of technical dossiers on health and safety standards. Both meetings reflect a coordinated push to convert diplomatic relations into measurable commercial gains.
The Joint Task Force discussions highlighted a proposed government-to-government rice supply memorandum between Pakistan’s Trading Corporation and Hassad Food that has been forwarded to the federal cabinet for approval. Pakistan invited Qatari capital into modern farming techniques, grain storage, cold-chain infrastructure and advanced irrigation systems to support mutual food security objectives. The commerce ministry outlined opportunities in electric vehicles, information technology and maritime sectors as additional areas for Qatari participation. These proposals build on earlier pledges, including a 2022 commitment from the Qatar Investment Authority to direct three billion dollars toward Pakistani transport, education, health and infrastructure projects.
Pakistan’s agriculture ministry has separately advanced investment-ready projects in Rhodes grass exports and large-scale feedlot operations that could directly supply Qatar’s feed requirements under its National Vision 2030 framework. Federal Minister for National Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain told the Qatari ambassador in Islamabad last week that bureaucratic hurdles have been reduced to create a more investor-friendly environment. The two sides agreed to explore a formal joint working group on agriculture to identify priority initiatives and improve business-to-business linkages. Such steps aim to position Pakistan as a consistent halal supplier of rice, meat, fruits and vegetables for the Gulf market.
Qatar has historically depended on imports for the majority of its food supply, making long-term sourcing agreements a strategic priority that aligns with Pakistan’s export expansion goals. The commerce ministry noted that operationalising technical working groups formed in the first Joint Task Force session would accelerate implementation across the discussed sectors. Pakistani officials reiterated readiness to facilitate land access and regulatory coordination for Qatari investors entering the agri-space. These developments come as both countries seek to translate longstanding political ties into resilient economic interdependence.
