Mian Zahid Hussain, President of the Pakistan Businessmen and Intellectuals Forum, welcomed the agreement to boost Pakistan’s agricultural exports to Saudi Arabia to $3 billion annually over the next two years. He highlighted the significance of the recent Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, which solidifies a collaborative framework among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye.

The Saudi delegation’s visit to Islamabad from August 26 to 28 identified priority sectors, including rice and halal meat. Mian Zahid Hussain noted the importance of this partnership for both nations’ economies, given that Pakistan’s total exports to Saudi Arabia were only $692 million in 2025. This ambitious target necessitates a more than fourfold increase in export capacity, especially given Pakistan’s decline in food exports.

With Saudi Arabia importing 70% of its food and having a sizable market, Pakistan faces stiff competition from countries like India and Brazil. He stressed the need for competitive pricing, quality compliance, and the establishment of a joint Pakistan-Saudi Agri-Food Export Task Force to track progress and expedite necessary approvals.

Mian Zahid Hussain urged the development of cold storage facilities and emphasized a shift towards exporting value-added products. The integration of this economic potential with existing diplomatic relations could significantly benefit Pakistan’s farmers and economy.