PTA with Japan sought to ease tariffs
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) withdrew directives on clearing houses which led to spike in calling rates for overseas callers.
Pakistan has raised serious concerns over high tariffs imposed by Japan and calls for entering into a bilateral Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) to ensure fair competition and balanced tariffs.
Secretary of Commerce Jawad Paul has advocated for entering into a bilateral Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) with Japan to ensure fair competition and balanced tariffs.
Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan held a key meeting with the Ambassador of Japan on Monday, focusing on strengthening trade relations and addressing long-standing tariff issues.
During the meeting, the minister proposed holding a dedicated Pakistan-Japan Business Forum to enhance bilateral commercial ties.
Secretary of Commerce pointed out that Pakistan faces higher tariff barriers compared to other countries in the region, limiting its competitiveness in the Japanese market.
Under Japan's Generalised System of Preferences (GSP), Pakistan's textile exports face an average tariff of 5.36%, while leather products are subject to an average tariff of 16% under Tariff Rate Quotas (TRQs).
In FY 2023-24, bilateral trade stood at $1.33 billion, with Pakistan exporting only $194 million worth of goods to Japan, compared to $1.137 billion in imports.
Minister Khan emphasised the urgent need to boost Pakistan's exports to Japan, which have remained stagnant and are significantly lower than imports.
The Ambassador of Japan welcomed the proposal for a business forum and acknowledged Pakistan's concerns regarding high tariffs, assuring that these issues will be addressed. He reaffirmed Japan's commitment to enhancing bilateral trade and investment.
The federal minister also stressed the importance of easing business travel through multiple-entry visas and encouraged Japanese investors to explore opportunities in Pakistan's textile, leather, surgical, and seafood sectors.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
22 minutes ago
- Express Tribune
Event celebrates Pakistan-Bulgaria diplomatic ties
Their ties date back to 1878 when Tsar Alexander II put an end to five centuries of Ottoman domination of Bulgaria. PHOTO: FILE The Embassy of Bulgaria in Islamabad hosted a vibrant reception titled "The Ancient Treasures of Bulgaria" to mark the Day of the Bulgarian Alphabet and Culture, as well as the 60th anniversary of Bulgaria-Pakistan diplomatic relations. The event brought together diplomats, officials, scholars and cultural enthusiasts for an evening of celebration and cultural exchange. Ambassador of Bulgaria Irena Gancheva welcomed the guests and highlighted the strong and friendly ties between Bulgaria and Pakistan, forged over six decades of cooperation and mutual respect. She emphasised the importance of cultural diplomacy in deepening people-to-people connections and enhancing bilateral relations. The chief guest, Additional Foreign Secretary for Europe, Mohammad Ayub, congratulated Bulgaria on its national cultural day and appreciated the embassy's efforts to promote cultural understanding. He noted the historical depth of both nations and expressed hope for continued collaboration in education, culture and trade. A key highlight of the evening was a special exhibition, "The Ancient Treasures of Bulgaria," showcasing Bulgaria's rich archaeological and cultural heritage.
Express Tribune
2 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Military notes; Indo-Pak conflict: deterrence, pre-battle manoeuvres
The writer is a retired major general and has an interest in International Relations and Political Sociology. He can be reached at tayyarinam@ and tweets @20_Inam Listen to article We continue to discuss various aspects of the recent Indo-Pakistan military standoff. Third, deterrence per se. More than a billion lives escaped Modi's madness in a closer than ever nuclear Armageddon. Besides the conventional side of warfare, the more dangerous 'nuclear parity' still overhangs South Asia perilously. With deterrence in 'conventional terms re-established', one hopes India under Modi would avoid another wasteful adventure of humiliation, and resume talks over the table, rather than in the skies and through brinkmanship. The future India-Pakistan conflict scene will no longer be unilateral. It will be dictated and decided by Sino-Pak military alliance especially in collaboration with China's Western Theater Command. And this would augment deterrence for rational players on the Indian side, if any. Pakistan's Military, in South Asia's modern history, showcased the most integrated defensive strategy and real-time coordination. And just to reiterate, in military literature, a weaker side is supposed to have won an asymmetrical contest, if it denies outright victory or the attainment of war's aims and objectives to the stronger side, which Pakistan did to a larger India. So perceptually speaking, deterrence in the Indo-Pakistan context would, henceforth, be defined by the conventional military capabilities plus nuclear arms, and the fragility of psychological threshold on both sides, as discussed in my piece, 'India, Pakistan — redefining deterrence', printed in this space on May 22, 2025. And in Pakistan's context, deterrence would remain to be fortified by the Sino-Pakistani alliance, and the resolve of Pakistan's civil and military leadership, through Islamabad's 'quid-pro-quo Plus' strategy, to never let India prevail. So, peace, the perusal of which now squarely lies with a mellowed but bellicose India that still pursues its intended water wars, would remain elusive if we do not recognise each other's capabilities, and do not engage each other with dignity, mutual respect and patience, and not with ignorance or arrogance. Fourth. The Exterior Manoeuvre. Without going into the nuts and bolts of the diplomatic war, the Indian efforts to paint Pakistan into endemically bad light and as a state sponsor of terrorism, had very few takers, regionally and internationally. Indian diplomatic overtures focused on painting itself taller by telling the world its military response was calculated and non-escalatory and that this 'new India' would respond muscularly to the so-called terrorist attacks, without wanting a wider war with Pakistan and its people. Essentially contradictory iterations. No country condemned Pakistan for the 'alleged' terrorism; none appreciated India's 'carefully calibrated' military response. The world, contrarily, was preoccupied with the IAF's French Rafael jets being shot down by PAF's Chinese J-10C fighters using PL-15 E air-to-air missiles. Even the US after some initial ambivalence from VP Vance had to forcefully intervene to affect a ceasefire, without giving India the blank cheque of unilateralism and brinkmanship. Russia, India's traditional friend, withheld the 'expected' diplomatic support for India. And Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar and the entire OIC, the UN all called for restraint and then ceasefire. Major capitals responded with studied neutrality despite India sending seven diplomatic delegations to 32 countries. Beijing's signalling and posturing in support of Pakistan were overtly clear. Washington's ceasefire appeal re-hyphenated the two nuclear neighbours, to India's great chagrin. New Delhi even refused to acknowledge any US role, for which Trump had publicly taken credit. The paradox of Indian 'Exterior Manoeuvre' was laid bare, as to why was it accepting a ceasefire, irrespective of whether it was reached bilaterally (as India claimed) or under US interlocution (as Trump tweeted), if it had an upper hand militarily. During the conduct of operations, fiasco after fiasco derided New Delhi's aspirations and outsized ego. From denial to acknowledging downing of planes including Rafaeles, to persistent lies on the state and social media, greatly diminished India's shine, sheen and diplomatic weight. New Delhi's comical effort to influence the World Bank under its Indian-origin president, Mr Ajay Banga, from sanctioning loan to Islamabad failed spectacularly. The extent of India's hostility towards Pakistan permeated not only its body politics, but also its cultural elite (read Bollywood), its state behaviour; and resulted in a compulsive obsession with Pakistan, whom India's intellectual wizards proudly claim to have pushed into irrelevant ignominy. This paradox - Pakistan's irrelevance and Islamabad being an uncomfortable reality - remains unresolved and has been damaging India's 'perceived' important power aspiration and status, without pundits realising it. Fifth, The Inner Front. India whipped up its jingoist anti-Pakistan narrative in order to jell its inner front, silencing opposition, muzzling rationality and suppressing truth in the process. And it failed. The Modi Government had to launch Operation "Tiranga Yatra (tricolour journey)" for intense domestic messaging, to manipulate outcomes during Operation Sindoor. From annihilating Pakistan to dominating South Asia as the new hegemon, its efforts, however, could not convince most of its 200 million Muslims, who constitute 10.9 per cent of its population, is the world's 3rd largest Muslim population, and the largest Muslim-minority globally. Its illegally occupied Kashmir, the expected battle zone, simmers with hate, discontent and a resurgent anti-India sentiment, making operations and rear-area security a nightmare for the Indian Military. Assam, Christian Mizoram, Nagaland, the Naxalite insurgency in the 'Red Corridor', Khalistan Movement in Punjab and abroad, and other insurgencies drive wedges in the India Union. Even the Brahman-dominated decision-making elite had and have reservations on the direction secular India has taken under Hindutva-laced Modi Sarkar. Indian security sector and armed forces saw removals, arrests and demotions during the stand-off; and its population is still experiencing arrests for supporting Pakistan, as per press reports. By comparison, Pakistan's inner front jelled like it always does in a crisis with India. RAW-financed terrorism in KP and Balochistan, and the expected political uprising by some political forces against the armed forces, in hilarious formulation of Indian intelligence, failed and failed miserably. Pakistan's national will, determination, resolve and motivation across the political spectrum and across the nation was tougher and firm. Pakistan's 'relative' demographic homogeneity compared to India's heterogeneity is always an asset and a force-multiplier. Such demographic truism also permeates Pakistan's armed forces, making it a formidable fighting machine. Continues...
Express Tribune
3 hours ago
- Express Tribune
PM to embark on official visit to Saudi Arabia from June 5-6
Listen to article Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is scheduled to undertake an official two-day visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Thursday to express gratitude to the Saudi leadership for its constructive role in de-escalating the recent conflict between Pakistan and India. The PM's visit coincides with Eidul Azha and will be accompanied by a high-level delegation, underscoring the significance of the trip. Read More: Pakistan, Turkiye and Azerbaijan reaffirm unity at trilateral summit According to the statement issued by Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday, during visit, Premier Sharif will hold talks with Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. Key areas of discussion will include enhancing bilateral cooperation in trade and investment, advancing the welfare of the Muslim Ummah, and addressing regional peace and security concerns. The PM is also expected to express gratitude to the Saudi leadership for its constructive role in de-escalating the recent conflict between Pakistan and India, highlighting the importance of Saudi Arabia's support in fostering peace in the region. 🔊PR NO.1️⃣6️⃣2️⃣/2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣5️⃣ Curtain Raiser: Visit of Prime Minister of Pakistan to Saudi Arabia. 🔗⬇️ — Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) June 4, 2025 "This visit underscores the deep-rooted, time-tested ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, anchored in shared faith, mutual respect, and strategic partnership. It reaffirms the leadership's commitment to deepening economic and diplomatic engagement, aligning with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 and Pakistan's development priorities," read the statement. Last week, Premier Sharif concluded a diplomatic tour, visiting four countries to strengthen regional partnerships in the wake of heightened tensions with India. The tour served as an important opportunity for Pakistan to personally express its gratitude to these nations for their support during the recent escalation. The trip focused on reinforcing bilateral ties and promoting peace, with the PM thanking key allies for their role in de-escalating the situation with India.
