ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has recorded modest growth in its non-textile exports in the current fiscal year, helped by steps taken by the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) to boost trade, state media reported on Tuesday.
The textile sector dominates Pakistan’s export economy, accounting for around 60 percent of it, contributing 8.5 percent to gross domestic product and employing roughly 40 percent of the country’s industrial labor force.
While textiles continue to play a major economic role, the SIFC, a hybrid civil-military body designed to streamline investment and export procedures, has been actively promoting diversification through targeted support and policy incentives.
“In the first eight months of the current fiscal year, non-textile exports have grown by 2.3 percent, reaching $9.8 billion,” Radio Pakistan said, citing official statistics.
Among the notable gains, sesame seed exports to China surged by 179 percent, reaching $28 million, while crude petroleum exports doubled.
Cement exports rose by 26 percent, and jewelry exports climbed by 66 percent.
Radio Pakistan also highlighted the first-ever exports from the Gwadar Free Zone, including an approved annual consignment of 10,000 tons of potassium sulfate fertilizer.
In line with the government’s export-led growth strategy, Pakistan’s automotive sector has also made a new push into global markets, with a first shipment of 40 locally manufactured cars exported to Japan.
Radio Pakistan said the government has termed this a “golden opportunity” for local auto manufacturers, pledging continued policy support.
Pakistan sees modest rise in non-textile exports — state media
https://arab.news/9eype
Pakistan sees modest rise in non-textile exports — state media
- Textile sector has dominated Pakistan’s export economy, but efforts are underway to promote diversification
- Pakistan has increased its exports of sesame, crude petroleum, cement, jewelry and automobiles this fiscal year
Pakistan accepts Trump’s invitation to join ‘Board of Peace’ for lasting peace in Gaza
- Pakistan’s foreign office hopes board’s efforts lead to permanent ceasefire in Gaza, independent Palestinian state
- UAE, Egypt, Israel, Bahrain and others have also accepted Trump’s invitation to join body that aims to resolve conflicts
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s foreign office announced on Wednesday that Islamabad has accepted US President Donald Trump’s invitation to join his Board of Peace (BoP), hoping it would lead to the implementation of a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and the establishment of a Palestinian state.
The White House last week announced the names of some members of the BoP, a global body that aims to restore peace in areas affected by conflict including Gaza, where a fragile ceasefire has been in place since October 2025. Chaired by Trump, the board would include US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff, former British prime minister Tony Blair and Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner.
Pakistan joins the UAE, Egypt, Bahrain, Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Morocco and Vietnam in joining the BoP. Israel announced on Wednesday its Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will also be a member of the board.
“In response to the invitation extended to Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif by the President of the United States, H.E. Donald J. Trump, Pakistan would like to announce its decision to join the Board of Peace (BoP) as part of its ongoing efforts to support the implementation of the Gaza Peace Plan under the framework of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803,” the Pakistani foreign office said in a statement.
The foreign office said Pakistan hoped concrete steps will be taken toward the implementation of a permanent ceasefire, further scaling up of humanitarian aid for the Palestinians as well as reconstruction of Gaza with the creation of the board.
The statement said Islamabad also hopes these efforts will lead to the realization of the right to self-determination of Palestinians through a “credible, time-bound political process, consistent with international legitimacy and relevant UN resolutions, resulting in the establishment of an independent, sovereign, and contiguous State of Palestine, based on the pre-1967 borders with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.”
“Pakistan looks forward to continue playing a constructive role as part of the Board of Peace for the achievement of these goals as well as to end the suffering of our Palestinian brothers and sisters,” the statement concluded.
Pakistan has consistently supported the demand for Palestinian statehood under UN resolutions and has publicly criticized Israeli military operations in Gaza, while also opposing broader regional escalations, including attacks on Iran.
According to the BoP’s charter seen by international wire agency AFP, the board is “an international organization that seeks to promote stability, restore dependable and lawful governance, and secure enduring peace in areas affected or threatened by conflict.”
As chairman of the BoP, Trump has the power to pick members of an executive board to be “leaders of global stature” to “serve two-year terms, subject to removal by the chairman,” the board’s charter as seen by AFP reads.
