Pakistan, New Zealand Hold Political and Joint Trade Committee Meetings

Wellington, August 8: Pakistan and New Zealand held the 5th round of Political Consultations and the 3rd round of the Pakistan–New Zealand Joint Trade Committee (JTC) meetings in Wellington on August 6, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation in key areas.

The Political Consultations were co-chaired by Additional Foreign Secretary (Asia Pacific) Ambassador Dr. Syed Ali Asad Gillani and New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Deputy Secretary Grahame Morton.

The two sides reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral relations and discussed ways to enhance cooperation in areas including high-level exchanges, economic development, science and technology, education, counterterrorism, transnational crime and people-to-people contacts.

The delegations also exchanged views on regional and international developments and agreed to strengthen coordination at multilateral forums.

Ambassador Gillani briefed the New Zealand side on Pakistan’s efforts to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East, as well as developments in South Asia, including the situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and India’s continued violations of the Indus Waters Treaty.

Deputy Secretary Morton acknowledged Pakistan’s constructive role in efforts aimed at promoting peace in the Middle East.

Separately, the 3rd meeting of the Pakistan–New Zealand Joint Trade Committee was held the same day. The Pakistani delegation was led by Secretary Ministry of Commerce Jawad Paul Khawaja, while the New Zealand delegation was headed by Grahame Morton.

The JTC discussions focused on expanding bilateral trade and investment, with particular attention to agriculture, livestock, information technology, education and services.

Both sides discussed measures to improve market access and strengthen cooperation in sustainable agriculture, including technical collaboration in wool production and plant protection. They also explored institutional mechanisms for further enhancing economic cooperation.

A key outcome of the meetings was the signing of an Education Cooperation Arrangement between Pakistan and New Zealand, which is expected to further strengthen collaboration in the education sector.

The meetings provided an opportunity for both sides to review progress in bilateral relations, identify new areas of cooperation and reaffirm their shared commitment to developing a forward-looking and mutually beneficial partnership.