The federal government has finalized a plan to overhaul the National Tariff Commission (NTC) in order to modernize Pakistan’s trade-remedy framework and reduce reliance on anti-dumping measures as the primary tool of industry protection, sources told Business Recorder.

The modernization agenda came under discussion during a meeting of the Cabinet Committee for Disposal of Legislative Cases (CCLC) held on January 9, 2026, chaired by Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar.

During the briefing, the Commerce Division noted that while the NTC established under the National Tariff Commission Act, 2015 is legally mandated to investigate dumping, subsidized imports, and harmful import surges, its practical role has historically been centered almost exclusively around anti-dumping actions, with limited use of other WTO-recognized instruments such as countervailing and safeguard measures.

With tariff liberalization under the National Tariff Policy 2025–30 and heightened exposure to import competition, gaps in the NTC’s legal and institutional structure have become more visible, prompting the government to launch a comprehensive review process.

A committee led by Dr. Manzoor Ahmad initiated the first review, which was later taken up by a higher-level committee chaired by the Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination. Between November and December 2025, the committee held eight rounds of consultations to examine reform options.

The committee concluded that a stronger, more efficient, and WTO-compliant trade remedies regime is essential as Pakistan reduces tariffs and integrates into global value chains. It recommended upgrading the NTC’s quasi-judicial capacity, increasing the number of commission members from five to seven, expanding technical expertise, and updating eligibility requirements for appointments. Provisions for designating an acting chairman in case of vacancy were also proposed.

The reforms also call for enhanced data-driven market monitoring, streamlined investigation procedures, improved inter-agency coordination, and stronger administrative and financial autonomy to ensure timely determinations.

To operationalize the changes, the National Tariff Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2026 was drafted and sent to the Law and Justice Division for vetting before being placed before the CCLC.

Following detailed deliberations, the CCLC approved the draft amendments to the NTC Act, 2015. The committee’s decision will now move to the federal cabinet for approval, after which the bill will be presented to Parliament for enactment.

If implemented, the reforms would mark the most significant institutional upgrade to Pakistan’s trade-remedies system in over a decade, aiming to support domestic industry while ensuring alignment with international trade obligations.