The National Assembly Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs has advised the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to reduce the number of trade counselors and press attachés in Pakistan’s diplomatic missions, citing poor performance, weak outcomes, and rising operational expenses.

The recommendation was made during a meeting of the committee chaired by Hina Rabbani Khar, where Foreign Secretary Amina Baloch presented a detailed briefing on Pakistan’s diplomatic missions, resource allocation, and expenditure, particularly in relation to missions to the United Nations and the World Trade Organization in Geneva.

Hina Rabbani Khar expressed strong dissatisfaction with the ministry’s current structure and efficiency. She raised concerns over ineffective systems and questioned whether the heavy spending on trade missions was delivering any tangible results for Pakistan’s economy.

She remarked that even publicly available tools could provide better trade-related insights than Pakistan’s overseas trade missions, despite the country spending tens of thousands of dollars on maintaining these posts. She also criticized the lack of timely and accurate data shared with the committee, pointing to systemic weaknesses within the ministry.

The chairperson highlighted that the committee had previously requested specific information related to electric vehicles and trade trends, but the ministry failed to provide satisfactory details. She emphasized that such gaps undermine the very purpose of maintaining specialized trade and media roles abroad.

In response, Foreign Secretary Amina Baloch stated that structural changes within the Foreign Office could not be made without consultation with the Ministry of Finance. She acknowledged resource constraints and explained that Pakistan operates with limited funds compared to many other countries.

The meeting also reviewed how other countries manage their diplomatic missions in Geneva. Amina Baloch explained that several countries, including Turkey, handle both UN and WTO responsibilities through a single mission, with close coordination between foreign and commerce ministries.

She added that India operates a separate WTO mission led by its Ministry of Commerce, while Sri Lanka follows a lean model with administrative support from its UN mission. Many countries, she noted, continue to function with a single ambassador overseeing multiple responsibilities.

Hina Rabbani Khar urged the ministry to rationalize expenses by merging missions where possible and cutting unnecessary positions. She also questioned the high costs associated with electric and hybrid vehicles used by missions and suggested a cost-benefit analysis comparing fuel expenses.

The Foreign Secretary informed the committee that Pakistan currently maintains 121 buildings abroad, with only 48 owned by the government. In 2024 alone, the ministry paid $6.4 million for chancelleries and $8.4 million for residential properties.

She added that efforts are underway to reduce rental burdens, renovate owned properties, and shift payments through the National Bank of Pakistan. Committees have been formed to review mortgages and long-term liabilities.

Despite the criticism, Amina Baloch maintained that Pakistan’s Foreign Office operates with far fewer resources than many comparable countries, stressing the need for balanced reforms rather than abrupt cuts.