Pakistan, New Zealand hold key political, trade talks in Wellington

ISLAMABAD, Aug 08 (APP): The 5th round of Pakistan–New Zealand Political Consultations and the 3rd round of the Pakistan–New Zealand Joint Trade Committee (JTC) meetings were held in Wellington, marking a significant step in deepening bilateral engagement between the two countries.

The Political Consultations were co-chaired by Ambassador Dr. Syed Ali Asad Gillani, Additional Foreign Secretary (Asia Pacific) of Pakistan, and Grahame Morton, Deputy Secretary of the Americas and Asia Group at New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), the Foreign Office Spokesperson, Saturday, said in a press release.

During the meeting, both sides conducted a comprehensive review of bilateral relations and explored avenues to strengthen cooperation across a wide spectrum of areas of mutual interest, including high-level exchanges, economic development, science and technology, education, counterterrorism, transnational crime, and people-to-people ties.

The delegations also exchanged views on regional and international developments and agreed to enhance coordination within multilateral forums.

Ambassador Gillani briefed the New Zealand side on Pakistan’s efforts to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East, as well as the regional situation in South Asia, including the situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and India’s continued violations of the Indus Waters Treaty.

Deputy Secretary Morton acknowledged Pakistan’s constructive role in the Middle East peace process.

Separately, the 3rd round of the Pakistan–New Zealand Joint Trade Committee meeting was also held. The Pakistani delegation was led by Jawad Paul Khawaja, Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, while the New Zealand delegation was again headed by Grahame Morton.

Discussions under the JTC focused on bolstering bilateral trade and investment, with particular emphasis on agriculture, livestock, information technology, education, and services.

Both sides deliberated on improving market access and enhancing cooperation in sustainable agriculture, including exploring technical collaboration in wool production and plant protection. Institutional mechanisms to further economic cooperation were also discussed.

“A key outcome of the meetings was the signing of the Education Cooperation Arrangement between Pakistan and New Zealand, which is expected to significantly deepen collaboration in the education sector,” it was further added.

The spokesperson said the overall discussions provided an opportunity to assess progress in bilateral ties, identify new areas for partnership, and reaffirm the shared commitment to a forward-looking and mutually beneficial relationship.