Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Dr. Musadik Malik, chaired the 5th meeting of the Prime Minister’s Committee for the Modernization of the National Tariff Commission (NTC). Also present in the meeting were the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for Industries and Production Mr. Haroon Akhtar, the Attorney General of Pakistan, Mr. Mansoor Usman Awan, members of the National Tariff Commission, and senior officials from the Ministry of Commerce.
The committee reviewed the core objectives, expertise, and mandate of the NTC, which include responsibilities under WTO trade remedy laws, dispute settlement mechanisms, tariff rationalization, and broader trade policy matters. The Minister stressed the necessity of a modern and efficient tariff regime to support economic stability, protect domestic industries, and ensure compliance with international trade commitments.
Discussions also focused on proposed reforms within the NTC, particularly the need to strengthen institutional capacity through enhanced technical expertise and improved human resource development. Discussions regarding expanding the NTC's financial and administrative autonomy to enable more effective, timely decision-making also took place. Further, the existing limitations faced by the NTC, including constraints on implementing countervailing measures and applying safeguard instruments necessary to protect national products, were also deliberated upon.
The committee acknowledged the need to address procedural and structural barriers that hinder the Commission’s ability to respond to unfair trade practices.
