Press Release Title: Senator Anusha Rahman Ahmad Khan, Chairperson Senate Standing Committee on Commerce presiding over a meeting of the committee at Parliament Lodges Islamabad.

Press Release Date: 6th October, 2025

The Senate Standing Committee on Commerce, chaired by Senator Anusha Rahman, lauded the final revision of Barter trade framework SRO 642(1)/2023 finally approved by the Economic Coordination Committee for final submission to the Cabinet. The Committee recommendations were incorporated in the revised SRO, formulated on the advise of the stakebolders and the expectation is that barter trade may now be facilitated and ease of trade is seen.  The opening of the Badini Border, and the revised policy framework for registration of foreign business chambers, and the five-year salary breakup of Chief Executive Officers heading State-Owned Enterprises under the administrative control of the Ministry of Commerce were also discussed. The Committee was briefed that the proposed amendment to the Barter Trade Framework was submitted to the ECC following consultations with all relevant stakeholders, including the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Finance & Revenue, the State Bank of Pakistan, and the Federal Board of Revenue, to ensure alignment with international notifications and obligations. The amendment seeks to clarify the scope of barter trade between Pakistan and its designated border countries, i.e., Iran, Afghanistan, and Russia, and aligns the definition of sanctioned entities with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ notifications. Similarly, the list of importable products as specified in the S.R.O 642(I)/2023 was also omitted and alligned with Import Policy Order (IPO)/ Export Policy Order (2022). Additionally, the settlement period for barter transactions has been proposed to extend from ninety to one hundred and twenty days to facilitate trade. The principle of “import followed by export” was replaced with “Imports/Exports”. The Ministry and the Quetta Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QCCI) highly appreciated the dedicated efforts of the Senate Standing Committee on Commerce for taking the lead in formulating and submitting the proposed amendment to SRO 642(1)/2023, concerning the Barter Trade Framework, to the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC). Regarding the opening of Badini border, the Committee was informed that following the Inter-Ministerial Meeting held on 29th September, 2025, a consensus was reached among all stakeholders on the re-opening of Badini Border. Accordingly, the Ministry, vide letter dated 2nd October, 2025, requested the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to engage the Afghan side diplomatically. Upon their concurrence, the Customs Collectorate Quetta will require three months to deploy staff and complete necessary infrastructure arrangements for operationalization. Essential facilities including road connectivity, electricity and accommodation for officials are being planned in coordination with the Government of Balochistan. Deployment of key departments including the Federal Investigation Agency and Customs will be ensured to make the border point functional. The Committee noted that significant development work has been completed on the Afghan side and acknowledged ongoing measures on the Pakistani side. The Committee discussed options regarding the execution and oversight of the project and suggested that the executing agency be reviewed in consultation with relevant provincial government. The Committee reiterated its earlier recommendation that a Project Director from the Ministry of Commerce be stationed in Balochistan to provide continuous oversight and coordination among stakeholders. The Committee also discussed the revised policy framework aimed at providing clarity, removing ambiguities, and facilitating the registration of foreign business chambers in Pakistan. It was observed that foreign entities, particularly from countries such as China where language and procedural barriers exist, often face difficulties in registration due to stringent no-objection certificate requirements. It was suggested that a registration process which needs to be simplified.  The Committee was briefed by the Ministry of Commerce on the five-year breakup of salary packages of Chief Executive Officers heading State-Owned Enterprises under its administrative control. The Committee emphasized the need for transparency and uniformity in determining emoluments structures and observed that any revision in salaries should be made prospectively and linked with performance benchmarks. The committee directed that a uniform policy be formulated to ensure that all State-Owned Enterprises adhere to a consistent framework governing remuneration, bonuses and revisions of should be linked to performance. In attendance were Senators Sarmad Ali, Amir Waliuddin Chishti, Bilal Ahmed Khan and Muhammad Tallal Badar, the Secretary Ministry of Commerce, the Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Special Secretary Ministry of Interior, and senior officials from the relevant departments.