Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives, Professor Ahsan Iqbal visited Pakistan Pavilion at Gulfood 2026 in Dubai today. During his visit, the Minister toured various Pakistani stalls and interacted with exhibitors, encouraging them to focus on enhancing exports and value addition.
While appreciating the TDAP and the Mission, the Minister said that he was pleased to see a strong and vibrant Pakistani presence at Gulfood. “I am very happy to see that Pakistani exporters have set up a large number of stalls at the Gulfood Expo today”, he added.
Speaking on the occasion, Professor Ahsan Iqbal stated that under Uraan Pakistan the government’s foremost priority is to increase exports in order to steer the economy towards self-reliance. “If we are to permanently free ourselves from reliance on the IMF and foreign debt, there is only one way forward, promoting and expanding our exports. I am particularly encouraged to see that Pakistani exporters are now focusing on value added products. We are committed to promoting productivity, quality, and innovation within the private sector so that ‘Made in Pakistan’ becomes a global symbol of quality, and Pakistani products are visible on every stall, in every shop, and on every shelf across international markets.”
During the visit, Professor Ahsan Iqbal also visited the Biryani Festival stall set up by TDAP and appreciated the initiative to showcase amd promote Pakistani basmati rice at the event.
Mr. Athar Hussain Khokhar, Director General (Agro Division), TDAP and Mr. Ali Zeb Khan, Trade & Investment Counsellor briefed about details of the Pakistan Pavilion at Gulfood 2026.
The event was attended by Mr. Shabbir Merchant, Chairman, Pakistan Business Council Dubai; and Mr. Faisal Jehangir Malik, Chairman, Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP).
