Islamabad: Pakistan has reaffirmed its support for the Commonwealth's target of reaching a $2 trillion trade volume by 2030. The commitment was made during a meeting in Islamabad between Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland and Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar. The discussions focused on enhancing regional connectivity, addressing climate change, and promoting youth and women's empowerment. Pakistan aims to become a key regional trade hub, leveraging its strategic location and digital advancements to foster economic growth and cooperation among Commonwealth nations.

According to Zameen.Com, the talks took place against the backdrop of Secretary-General Scotland's five-day visit to Pakistan, where she and Deputy Prime Minister Dar explored various initiatives to boost intra-Commonwealth trade. Dar emphasized the importance of the Commonwealth Connectivity Agenda for Trade and Investment, initiated in 2018, as a cornerstone for reaching the ambitious trade goal. He highlighted ongoing projects such as the development of railway links with Uzbekistan and discussions on the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) pipeline, despite facing challenges.

Scotland praised Pakistan's efforts in recovery from the devastating 2022 floods and acknowledged its role in advancing digital and AI technologies to meet future challenges. The meeting underscored the critical role of Pakistan’s large youth population in driving the Commonwealth’s future. Dar's reaffirmation of Pakistan’s commitment to Commonwealth values and goals underscores its proactive role in fostering regional and global trade connectivity.