Islamabad, Aril 6, 2026: A meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Cabinet was held today in Islamabad under the chairmanship of Senator Rana Mahmood-ul-Hassan. The meeting was attended by Senators Anusha Rahman, Saadia Abbasi, Atta-ur-Rehman, and Mohammad Abdul Qadir, while Senators Saleem Mandviwalla and Amir Waliuddin Chishti participated virtullay. The Federal Minister for Commerce, Secretary Cabinet Division, Secretary Establishment Division, and senior officials from the Ministry of Commerce were also present.
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 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.
During the meeting, the Committee highlighted concerns regarding the staffing composition across Grades 17 to 21 in Ministry of Commerce, stating that a unlike other cadres where officer are appointed in their parent ministries, a significant number of positions and posts in Commerce Ministry 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 Committee noted that such practices negatively impact the Ministry’s efficiency and productivity, while also demotivating commerce professionals.
The Committee also noted that the Prime Minister has recently assigned target to commerce ministry for increasing Pakistan’s exports to USD 25 billion however the HR in commerce ministry is majority belonging to officials who are not trained as commerce cadre and belonging to other services. For achieving this target it is important to involve professionals of 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 most optimal.
Honorable Minister for Commerce endorsed the issue and view the said issue as crucial to preserve the interests of 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 officer are called to do duty in commerce on deputation and is not automatic. Secretary, Additional Secretary, Joint Secretary , SO positions are not encardered. There is no encarded position in Grade 22 that would allow for secretary commerce to be appointed from commerce and trade group. Similary Tio’s appointed in mission who should be appointed from commerce and trade group are taken on average 50% from commerce cadre and rest of 50% is distributed among other services or private sector. This again is an exception just for 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 Honourable Prime Minister . 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 commerce ministry after ending their terms to benefit in policy making.
The committee recommended that the Ministry of Commerce and the Establishment Division, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, formulate an updated policy framework. It was further decided to constitute a sub-committee to examine the matter in detail and propose specific recommendations for encadrement of officers from Commerce & Trade group.
