News Detail
Event Title: Senator Anusha Rahman Ahmad Khan, Chairperson Senate Standing Committee on Commerce presiding over a meeting of the committee at Parliament House Islamabad.
Event Date: 2026-03-25
Senate Panel diacusses Commerce Ministry Budget, Raises Concerns over Expo Center Location in Quetta
A meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Commerce was held today in Islamabad under the chairpersonship of Senator Anusha Rahman to deliberate on the budgetary proposals of the Ministry of Commerce and its atrached departments.
The meeting was attended by Senators Saleem Mandviwalla, Sarmad Ali, Bilal Ahmed Khan, and Faisal Saleem Rahman, while Senators Rahat Jamali and Amir Wali-ud-Din Chishti participated via Zoom.
The Committee revisited its earlier recommendations regarding the relocation of the proposed Expo Center site amid security concerns and viability.. The Secretary informed that the Ministry is in contact with the Chief Secretary of Balochistan and a meeting is expected with CM Balochistan later this week. However, the Committee reiterated its concerns and recommended that a formal letter be sent to the Chief Minister, conveying the Committee’s reservations and recommending relocation, while inviting him to attend the upcoming meeting scheduled for next week. The Committee unanimously approved the budget of the Ministry of Commerce, with the caveat that the relocation of the Expo Center in Quetta be duly addressed.
In addition, the Committee was apprised of progress on its earlier recommendation regarding the project titled “Export Accelerator for SMEs.” The Ministry informed that the matter is scheduled to be placed before the upcoming meeting of the Export Development Fund (EDF) Board for consideration.
The Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, briefed the Committee on the department-wise budget of the Ministry. He informed that all the exhibitions, programs, etc., planned by the TDAP in a year had historically been mostly funded by EDF; however, the same will now be funded by the TDAP themselves via budgetory allocation by Federal Government since transition from this year. The Committee unanimously recommended that EDF considers to continue funding TDAP’s proposed expo programs for the upcoming financial year as well. It further directed the Secretary Commerce and the TDAP to present a rationalized Annual Business Plan before the TDAP Board by April, 2026 to be further placed before EDF board by May 2026 for their consideration and approval of expos they are willing to fund. The events not approved to be funded by EDF would essentially mean that those events many not be worthy, unless strongly urged by TDAP board for which a smaller sum may be required to be budgeted.
While discussing the composition of Trade Missions, the Committee emphasized that Trade Missions should, in the first instance, be comprised entirely of Trade and Investment Officers (TIOs) from the Commerce and trade group, ensuring alignment with institutional expertise and policy objectives. It was further recommended that non- CTG cadre officers or private individuals may only be considered in 2nd phase strictly in cases where suitable and qualified candidates from the CTG cadre are not available.