ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Jordan have agreed to move toward a preferential trade agreement (PTA) and broaden bilateral cooperation across various sectors, marking a shift toward deeper economic engagement between the two countries.

The two countries signed the protocol to translate long-standing historical, political and diplomatic ties into measurable economic and institutional outcomes. The protocol was signed at the sidelines of the 10th session of the Pakistan-Jordan Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC), held on Feb 4-5.

The JMC was co-chaired by Pakistan’s Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan and Jordan’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply Yarub Qudah. Both sides agreed significantly expand bilateral cooperation across 16 priority sectors, ranging from trade, finance and industry to climate change, maritime affairs, health, technology and education.

The session marks a renewed push and a milestone to operationalise cooperation under the JMC framework established in 1975. Commerce Minister Jam Kamal said that the JMC reflected the shared resolve of both countries to pursue result-oriented cooperation, particularly in trade, investment and private-sector engagement. As a significant outcome, the two sides agreed to initiate consultations on a PTA aimed at improving market access and reducing trade barriers.

A Joint Working Group on Trade and Investment will lead the process, alongside efforts to activate the Pakistan–Jordan Business Council and promote business-to-business linkages. The JMC also welcomed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Information Technology and Telecommunications, aimed at fostering cooperation in digital innovation, technology services and collaboration between the ICT sectors of both countries.

The JMC agreed to strengthen cooperation in banking and finance, including collaboration between central banks, and to expand engagement across industry, agriculture, halal standards, education, skills development, healthcare, climate change, energy, mining, maritime affairs, media, culture, and tourism through institutional linkages and joint working groups.

Secretary, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Muhammad Humair Karim Kidwai, underscored the importance of structured follow-up mechanisms to ensure effective implementation of the agreed decisions. The breadth of cooperation reflects a shared commitment to structured follow-up and implementation.

Both sides expressed their commitment to holding the JMC regularly as a key institutional mechanism to strengthen Pakistan–Jordan economic cooperation further. Pakistan and Jordan have agreed to enhance collaboration in diverse sectors.

Speaking on the occasion, Jordanian Minister for Industry and Trade Yarub Qudah expressed a strong desire to enhance bilateral relations with Pakistan. He was confident that this year would see a breakthrough in trade and economic ties. He said the two sides have agreed to establish a working group which will work on different sectors.

Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal said both countries enjoy brotherly relations and want to transform this relationship into strong economic ties. He said the two sides have agreed to enhance cooperation in trade and investment, industries, banking and finance, agriculture, higher education, vocational training, maritime, energy and minerals.

Published in Dawn, February 6th, 2026