Islamabad, April 05: In light of the 29% tariff recently imposed by the United States on Pakistani exports, the federal government has rolled out a comprehensive response plan aimed at safeguarding national trade interests and mitigating potential economic fallout.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has established a high-powered steering committee along with a dedicated working group to tackle the issue on both diplomatic and economic fronts.
Finance Minister to Head Strategic Committee
As per an official announcement, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has been designated as the head of a 12-member steering committee, which will manage the entire response mechanism — including engagement with US authorities on the matter.
The steering committee is composed of several senior officials, including:
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Federal Ministers for Commerce and Petroleum
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The Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on Industry
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Chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR)
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The Foreign Secretary
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Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States
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Representatives at the World Trade Organization (WTO)
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Renowned economist Dr. Ijaz Nabi
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Minister (Trade and Investment) based in Washington
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The Trade Secretary
The committee will provide continuous briefings to the Prime Minister regarding the progress and outcomes of their efforts.
Read More: IMF Sounds Alarm: US Tariffs Threaten Global Economic Stability
Technical Working Group to Drive Policy and Analysis
In parallel, a 19-member working group has been formed to support the initiative with technical insight and strategic direction.
Headed by Commerce Secretary Jawad Paul, the group includes federal secretaries and notable figures from the private sector, including business leaders and industry specialists.
Key Responsibilities of the Working Group Include:
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Evaluating the scope and economic consequences of the 29% US tariffs on Pakistani exports
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Developing both immediate and long-term policy responses
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Identifying new trade opportunities arising from global market realignments
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Delivering real-time, data-driven assessments of the most affected export sectors
A Coordinated National Response
Officials describe this as a coordinated national effort designed to cushion the impact of the tariffs while reinforcing Pakistan’s stance in international trade forums.
Also Read: Trump’s Tariffs Shake Pakistan’s Textile Industry
The working group will act as the analytical backbone of the steering committee, providing research and strategic options that will inform the broader national response.
“This is a holistic initiative, combining the expertise of policymakers, trade professionals, and diplomats to ensure Pakistan navigates this challenging global trade environment effectively,” stated a senior official at the Ministry of Commerce.
