Karachi, Pakistan (By Najeeb Ahmed): Dewan Muhammad Yousuf Farooqui, Group Chairman of Yousuf Dewan Companies and Patron-in-Chief of the Pakistan SADC Chamber Trade Federation (PSCTF), hosted Senate Chairman Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani at a luncheon in Karachi on October 26, 2026. The meeting focused on strengthening Pakistan-Africa economic relations and exploring new opportunities for bilateral trade, investment and industrial cooperation.
The gathering at the head office of the Dewan Group of Companies brought together diplomatic representatives and business leaders to discuss ways to expand commercial ties between Pakistan and African nations.
Consuls General of Germany, Oman, Qatar and Indonesia attended the meeting, along with honorary consuls representing Yemen, Mozambique and Côte d’Ivoire. PSCTF Founding Chairman Muhammad Rafiq Memon and Pakistan Chapter President Syed Moizuddin also participated.
During the meeting, Farooqui briefed Gillani on the outcomes of the inaugural Africa Diplomatic and Economic Conference 2026, recently held in Karachi.
To build on the conference’s discussions, Farooqui announced a follow-up consultative meeting scheduled for October 28, 2026, in Islamabad. The meeting aims to develop a structured Action Plan Africa, setting out institutional responsibilities and timelines to promote trade, investment and industrial cooperation.
Farooqui invited Gillani to attend the Islamabad meeting and provide legislative guidance for the proposed framework.
The initiative seeks to turn diplomatic and business discussions into practical steps for expanding Pakistan’s economic engagement with African markets.
Gillani emphasized the importance of African markets to Pakistan’s economic growth. He assured participants of the Senate’s legislative cooperation and policy support to help strengthen economic relations and facilitate trade.
The discussions highlighted the potential for closer collaboration between government institutions, business organizations and diplomatic missions to identify opportunities and address barriers to trade.
Muhammad Rafiq Memon, chairman of the Pakistan SADC Chamber Trade Federation, outlined operational challenges facing Pakistani exporters and stressed the need to improve market access.
Memon expressed optimism that closer coordination between PSCTF, the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) and the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) could help address these challenges and create better conditions for exporters.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment among business and diplomatic representatives to strengthen commercial partnerships and pursue new avenues for cooperation.
Farooqui reaffirmed PSCTF’s commitment to working with government institutions and African diplomatic missions to advance sustainable economic growth and deepen Pakistan’s trade relations with African countries.
