ISLAMABAD: A parliamentary committee has expressed concern over the delay in the establishment of the Expo Centre in Quetta and the implementation of the Export Accelerator for small- and medium-sized enterprises.

The concerns were raised during a meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Commerce, chaired by Jawed Hanif Khan.

At the outset, the committee also raised concerns over cost escalation, prolonged delays, changes in project location, lack of provincial coordination, and accountability gaps.

The ministry of commerce sought additional funding of Rs3 billion for the project, while Planning Division advised that allocations be managed within existing resources or via project-specific approvals.

On the Export Accelerator, the committee members stressed the need for clear outcomes, financial commitment, and inter-ministerial coordination to ensure effective implementation.

Meanwhile, the committee endorsed the allocation of Rs15bn subsidy from the Export Development Fund (EDF) to support rice exporters, noting its strategic importance amid regional market shifts and India’s export restrictions.

The commerce ministry confirmed daily monitoring and committed to submitting a detailed follow-up report within 90 days.

The committee reviewed NICL’s performance and board composition, recognising strong results over the past three years and real estate holdings valued at Rs25bn, including six units in Dubai worth Rs4.6bn.

Members discussed investment limits, SOPs, portfolio diversification, and risk coverage, while PRCL’s mandate and investment philosophy were reviewed in the context of its upcoming privatisation.

Pakistan’s gem and jewellery sector was also discussed, with members noting $450bn in estimated reserves, exports of Swat emeralds and challenges such as illegal gold exports and lack of hallmarking.

Proposals for a regulatory body, export promotion centres, and adoption of regional and international best practices were presented to ensure self-sustainability and separate management of gems and jewellery.

The commerce ministry was directed to evaluate these proposals against existing policies and submit recommendations.

The committee also showed concerns regarding value addition requirements and SRO 760 affecting gold and gemstone exports were highlighted. Members emphasised better coordination between the commerce ministry and the State Bank to resolve remittance and regulatory issues.

Published in Dawn, February 25th, 2026