ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat expressed dissatisfaction with the performance of the Ministry of Commerce (MoC), noting that the ministry’s existing team would not be able to achieve the export target set for 2025-26.
The meeting, which was held under the chairmanship of Senator Rana Mahmood-ul-Hassan here on Monday, noted that the Prime Minister has recently assigned a target to the MoC for increasing Pakistan’s exports.
The Secretary Establishment Division briefed that the hierarchical structure of the Commerce and Trade Group, similar to other ministries, is organized in a pyramid form and operates under rules framed in 1994. He further clarified that the Grade-22 cadre post in the Ministry of Commerce is not exclusively reserved for the said Ministry, and officers from other ministries, departments, or groups may be deputed to the position of Secretary.
The parliamentary body raised concerns regarding the staffing composition across Grades 17 to 21 in MoC, stating that unlike other cadres where officers are appointed in their parent ministries, a significant number of positions and posts in MoC are occupied by officers from other ministries and departments which essentially means that those positions which are the right of officer of Commerce and Trade group are given to officers of other cadres.
The panel noted that such practices negatively impact the Ministry’s efficiency and productivity, while also de-motivating commerce professionals. For achieving the export target, it is important to involve professionals from the commerce cadre with relevant expertise in commerce. The effectiveness of appointing officers from unrelated backgrounds, such as Customs, IRS/ FBR, to senior positions in the Ministry of Commerce, given their limited exposure to commerce/business enhancement specific policy-making, may not be optimal.
The Minister for Commerce endorsed the view, calling the issue crucial to preserve the interests of the relevant group and also for strengthening the base of the Ministry. Commerce & Trade group officials gave a detailed presentation on the matter and informed the Committee that the commerce and trade officers are called to do duty in commerce on deputation.
Secretary, Additional Secretary, Joint Secretary, and Section Officer’s positions are not encardered. There is no entrenched position in Grade 22 that would allow for the Secretary of Commerce to be appointed from a commerce and trade group. Similarly, the appointments in Pakistani Missions who should be appointed from the commerce and trade group are taken on average 50 percent from the commerce cadre, and rest of 50 percent is distributed among other services or the private sector. This again is an exception just for the commerce and trade group, whereas information group positions in missions abroad are only filled by information group, and no quota is set on them.
The Committee recommended a comprehensive review of the 1994 rules to align them with current trade and export objectives set by the PM. The Committee also stressed that foreign postings should be primarily allocated to Commerce Group officers rather than deputationists lacking specialization in the field and who do not return to the MoC after ending their terms to benefit in policy making.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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