Pakistani Delegation
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Finance Minister, Muhammad Aurangzeb, has announced the formation of a high-level delegation tasked with engaging the United States in critical talks following Washington’s imposition of steep tariffs on Pakistani exports.
The move is seen as an urgent attempt to address the potential fallout of a 29% tariff hike, which has raised alarm across Pakistan’s trade and industrial sectors.
Speaking at a press conference, Aurangzeb confirmed that a steering committee and a specialized working group have been constituted to craft a strategic response to the U.S. tariffs.
These bodies will present their recommendations to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in the coming days, offering both short- and long-term solutions aimed at mitigating the adverse effects of the new trade barriers.
The upcoming discussions with U.S. officials are expected to focus on tariff reduction, export competitiveness, and identifying new avenues for economic collaboration between the two countries.
While acknowledging the serious challenges posed by the tariffs, the finance minister also framed the situation as an opportunity for Pakistan to revisit and potentially strengthen its bilateral trade ties with the United States.
Aurangzeb clarified, however, that no immediate special financial package for local industries is under consideration. Instead, the government is emphasizing policy-based responses and diplomatic engagement to protect and enhance Pakistan’s trade interests.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has already formed a 12-member steering committee, which includes key figures such as the Finance Minister, Commerce Minister, Petroleum Minister, the Special Assistant for Industry, FBR Chairman, Foreign Secretary, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the U.S., and the former ambassador to the World Trade Organization.
The committee’s primary objective is to assess the implications of the tariffs—particularly on the textile sector, a major contributor to Pakistan’s exports—and devise effective policy measures.
The tariff issue has also drawn international attention. IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, in a statement issued on Thursday, cautioned against protectionist policies during times of global economic uncertainty.
She urged the U.S. and its trading partners to resolve disputes through dialogue rather than escalation.
Georgieva added that the IMF would offer its detailed assessment of the tariffs in the upcoming update to its World Economic Outlook, scheduled for release during the April 21–26 meetings in Washington, D.C.
