The government is gearing up for a major review of tariffs that could impact everything from imported goods to local industry. A steering committee has kicked off efforts to gather detailed, product- and sector-wise data on imports, pricing, and domestic production. The goal? To figure out exactly how tariff changes are affecting Pakistan’s economy, and whether new measures are needed to protect key industries.
During its first meeting, held on December 8, 2025, the committee emphasized that tariff rationalisation is a slow process with mixed effects across different sectors. Blanket protection won’t work, officials noted—instead, they’ll dive deep into specific industries to see if cheaper imports are hurting local businesses, especially after recent tariff cuts.
Finance Minister led the session, explaining that the National Tariff Policy 2025-30 is here to stay, and that the steering committee will pinpoint which sectors are suffering most, helping guide them through this transitional period. The petroleum minister suggested the committee should focus on products that saw a 25-30% jump in imports over the last two financial years, and look at what’s driving that surge.
Muhammad Ali Tabba, Chairman of Lucky Motor Corp, backed these calls, highlighting that lower tariffs have led to a rush of imports—especially in energy-hungry industries. For less energy-intensive sectors, the impact seems smaller. Tabba even proposed scrapping the 50% duty on coal to help bring down costs for businesses hit hardest.
The Secretary of Commerce urged the team to carefully assess how tariff reforms are shaping the market, with an eye on whether they’re fueling a spike in specific imports. Dumping—when foreign sellers flood local markets with cheap goods—will be tackled separately with its own legal approach, the committee agreed. Meanwhile, the PM’s special assistant stressed that any analysis needs industry feedback on how production was affected in the months leading up to tariff changes.
Members agreed the real test will be to compare protection levels before and after July 2025’s tariff overhaul—did local production go up or down? The committee will use this evidence to decide if tariff reductions need to be slowed or if other measures are necessary. For accuracy, all data should come with supporting stats from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics and Customs Division.
Government officials made it clear: while tariff cuts aim to boost competitiveness and lower costs, they shouldn’t unfairly damage Pakistani businesses, especially those facing tough competition from imports. Whatever policies come next, they
