Page 13 - CMA Journal (Sep-Oct 2025)

E x c lus iv e I nt er v iew

Pakistan’s agricultural interests are represented by the
Deputy Permanent Representative (DPR) and the
th
Agriculture Counsellor, in line with the national stance The 14 WTO Ministerial Conference is expected to
developed through stakeholder consultations.
be challenging due to rising global trade tensions
ICMA: How has Pakistan's WTO Mission contributed
and differing priorities among members. Despite
to addressing recent U.S. reciprocal tari s?
H.E. Ali Sarfraz Hussain: The Mission has actively been
working by providing detailed technical and legal input, this, several potential outcomes could significantly
along with policy options, for the government’s
consideration in addressing reciprocal tari s imposed by benefit Pakistan’s economy
the United States.

ICMA: What steps can Pakistan take at the WTO to
boost export opportunities for key industries? Fourth, we need to look at unexplored opportunities. For Pakistani exports are subject to the same tari s as those
example, Pakistan is pursuing enhanced market access from its competitive economies. While 72% of global
H.E. Ali Sarfraz Hussain: First, we need to ensure fair for its services sector under Mode 4 in developed trade still operates under the MFN rule, progress in
market access, in line with the Most Favoured Nation markets, creating much needed employment reducing bound tari rates has stalled due to a lack of
ICMA: What role does Pakistan's WTO Mission play in (MFN) obligations and WTO rules. We do so by raising opportunities abroad. consensus among WTO members. Meanwhile, the
shaping trade policies and supporting industrial speci c trade concerns or even disputes in case of any growing trend of bilateral and regional trade agreements
growth? MFN violations or inconsistent non-tari measures. Fifth, we need to be active in emerging issues of our time allows many of Pakistan’s competitors to gain
to ensure that rules which restrict our access are not preferential access to major markets, putting Pakistan at
H.E. Ali Sarfraz Hussain: This Mission plays a vital role in Second, we must help the industry produce quality developed. In this e ort, we remain actively engaged in
aligning our trade policy with the multilateral trading products by meeting global standards. For this WTO discussions on digital trade and emerging a disadvantage. To address this challenge, Pakistan is
system while safeguarding the country’s economic and purpose, we arrange technical support for regulatory actively pursuing Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with its
strategic interests. We provide legal and technical input agencies to build their capacity so they can enforce technologies, including Arti cial Intelligence, to ensure key trading partners at the bilateral level, following
that developing countries retain exibility in shaping
for trade policy decisions, report policy measures international standards. inclusive consultations with stakeholders, to secure
through noti cations, facilitate technical assistance and their regulatory frameworks for their development. competitive market access.
capacity-building support, and represent Pakistan in Third, we have to work to ensure that standards are
th
trade disputes. We also assist in trade remedial measures, not used adversely as protective measures. For ICMA: How can WTO discussions on agriculture ICMA: What outcomes at the 14 WTO Ministerial
such as anti-dumping, to protect domestic industries example, to safeguard existing market access, Pakistan strengthen Pakistan’s agro-based industries? Conference in March 2026 would most bene t
from unfair trade practices. has been raising concerns over Trade Related H.E. Ali Sarfraz Hussain: The current negotiations on Pakistan’s economy?
Environmental Measures which constitute emerging agriculture mainly aim to provide additional exibilities H.E. Ali Sarfraz Hussain: The 14 WTO Ministerial
th
Moreover, the Mission, in consultation with national non-tari barriers. for developing countries in areas such as public
stakeholders, develops proposal papers for negotiations stockholding and safeguard measures in response to Conference is expected to be challenging due to rising
on key priority areas and attempts to build consensus on import surges to ensure both food security and global trade tensions and di ering priorities among
these proposals to advance Pakistan’s national interests. members. Despite this, several potential outcomes could
For example, we are actively working to secure greater livelihood security. These exibilities would help signi cantly bene t Pakistan’s economy. These include
policy exibility to strengthen resilience against crises Pakistan and other developing countries strengthen decisions aimed at strengthening food security and rural
such as oods, and to establish a global discipline to their farm and livestock sectors. Moreover, the ongoing livelihoods, and providing greater policy exibility to
reduce the cost of inward remittances below 3 percent. negotiations seek commitments from members that respond to natural disasters. Other key outcomes could
provide high levels of domestic support to reduce involve reducing the cost of remittance transfer,
ICMA: How do you balance Pakistan's agricultural trade-distorting subsidies and simplify tari structures. A improving market access for services, enhancing
needs with global trade obligations as WTO positive outcome of these negotiations would create technical assistance for developing countries, and
Agriculture Chair? fairer and more open international markets for Pakistan’s increasing exibility in intellectual property rules to
agro processed products. promote innovation and technology transfer.
H.E. Ali Sarfraz Hussain: The Committee on Agriculture
Special Sessions (CoA SS) is mandated to negotiate further ICMA: What challenges does Pakistan face at the WTO The Editorial Board thanks H.E. Ali Sarfraz Hussain, Ambassador
disciplines on agriculture. An ambassador from Pakistan in achieving fairer tari s? and Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the World Trade
has been elected as the Chair of this negotiation Organization (WTO) – Geneva for sparing his precious time to give
committee for the rst time in the WTO. As the Chair works H.E. Ali Sarfraz Hussain: The WTO’s Most Favoured an exclusive interview for Chartered Management Accountant Journal.
in a personal capacity, I am expected to maintain Nation (MFN) principle requires members to apply
neutrality and facilitate constructive negotiations to help uniform tari rates to all trading partners, meaning
members reach consensus on new disciplines. Meanwhile,

ICMA’s Chartered Management Accountant, Sep-Oct 2025 11