WELLINGTON, August 8, 2026: Pakistan and New Zealand have agreed to strengthen cooperation in several areas, with particular emphasis on agriculture, education, trade and investment, the Foreign Office (FO) said on Saturday.
The third Pakistan-New Zealand Joint Trade Committee (JTC) meeting and the fifth round of Pakistan-New Zealand Political Consultations were held in Wellington on Thursday, marking an important step towards expanding bilateral engagement.
A key outcome of the meetings was the signing of an Education Cooperation Arrangement between Pakistan and New Zealand, aimed at strengthening collaboration in the education sector.
During the JTC meeting, the two sides discussed improving market access and expanding cooperation in sustainable agriculture. They also explored technical collaboration in areas such as wool production and plant protection.
The discussions also focused on increasing bilateral trade and investment, particularly in technology, education and services. Both sides discussed institutional mechanisms to further strengthen economic cooperation.
Pakistan’s Commerce Secretary Jawad Paul Khawaja represented Islamabad at the JTC meeting, while Grahame Morton, Deputy Secretary of the Americas and Asia Group at New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, led the New Zealand delegation.
During the political consultations, the two countries conducted a comprehensive review of bilateral relations and exchanged views on regional and international developments. They also agreed to improve coordination at multilateral forums.
Additional Foreign Secretary for Asia Pacific Ambassador Dr Syed Ali Asad Gillani co-chaired the Pakistani side, while Morton led the New Zealand delegation.
The two sides explored cooperation in several areas, including high-level exchanges, economic development, science and technology, education, counterterrorism, transnational crime and people-to-people contacts.
Ambassador Gillani briefed the New Zealand side on Pakistan’s efforts to reduce tensions in the Middle East, including Islamabad’s diplomatic engagement aimed at easing the situation around the Strait of Hormuz.
According to the FO, Morton acknowledged Pakistan’s constructive role in the Middle East peace process.
Gillani also raised issues concerning South Asia, including the situation in Indian-occupied Kashmir and India’s continued violations of the Indus Waters Treaty.
The Foreign Office said the discussions provided an opportunity to review progress in bilateral relations, identify new areas of cooperation and reaffirm the two countries’ commitment to a forward-looking and mutually beneficial partnership.
Pakistan and New Zealand maintain cordial relations and are both members of the Commonwealth.
According to the FO, bilateral trade between the two countries stands at around $12 million. Pakistan’s major exports to New Zealand include textiles, apparel, rice, leather products and sports goods, while imports include dairy products, wood pulp, paper, edible oil, wood, iron and steel, and electrical machinery.
