Five decades since the JMC framework was established in 1975, Islamabad and Amman have enjoyed warm diplomatic and cultural relations. Yet the economic dimension of this relationship has remained underdeveloped, constrained by limited market access, weak private-sector engagement, and lack of sustained follow-up. The latest session has finally acknowledged this gap and more importantly, offered a roadmap to bridge it.
The 10th session of the Pakistan–Jordan Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) held in Islamabad on February 4–5 marks more than just another diplomatic gathering; it signals a long-overdue shift from symbolic friendship to strategic economic partnership. By agreeing to pursue a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) and widen cooperation across 16 priority sectors, Pakistan and Jordan have taken a decisive step toward turning decades of political goodwill into tangible economic and institutional gains.
The decision to initiate consultations on a PTA is the most consequential outcome of the meeting. In a global trading system increasingly shaped by regional and bilateral agreements, Pakistan cannot afford to remain isolated. A PTA with Jordan would not only reduce tariffs and non-tariff barriers but also open new markets for Pakistani textiles, pharmaceuticals, surgical instruments, sports goods and agri-based products in the Middle East. For Jordan, it offers access to a large consumer market of over 240 million people and a gateway to South and Central Asia.
Equally significant is the activation of the Pakistan–Jordan Business Council and the establishment of a Joint Working Group on Trade and Investment. Government-to-government agreements alone cannot drive trade growth unless businesses on both sides are engaged. Direct business-to-business linkages, investment forums and sector-specific partnerships will be critical in transforming policy intent into commercial reality.
The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Information Technology and Telecommunications adds a forward-looking dimension to the relationship. In an era where digital connectivity defines competitiveness, collaboration in ICT, innovation, and technology services can allow both countries to leapfrog traditional development constraints. Pakistan’s growing tech talent pool and Jordan’s reputation as a regional hub for digital startups offer natural complementarities that should be harnessed quickly.
Beyond trade and technology, the broad sweep of agreed cooperation from banking and halal standards to education, healthcare, climate change, energy and maritime affairs reflects an understanding that modern economic partnerships are multidimensional. Climate resilience, skills development and energy security are no longer peripheral concerns; they are central to sustainable growth. Joint initiatives, research exchanges and institutional linkages in these areas can help both countries confront shared challenges in an increasingly volatile global environment.
However, ambition alone is not enough. The cautionary words of Economic Affairs Secretary Muhammad Humair Karim Kidwai about the need for structured follow-up deserve special attention. Pakistan’s diplomatic history is replete with promising agreements that failed to deliver because of weak implementation, bureaucratic inertia and lack of accountability. Regular JMC meetings, clear timelines, measurable targets and empowered joint working groups must become the norm, not the exception.