TDAP Modernisation Approved: PM Sets 12-Month Plan, Merit Hiring and Private Audit for Pakistan's Export Body
PM Shehbaz Sharif approved TDAP's modernisation on 6 November 2026: a 12-month plan, merit hiring, target-linked promotion and a private audit. What it means.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved a plan to modernise the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) on 6 November 2026. The reforms run on a 12-month phased plan, TDAP staff will be hired on merit with promotion tied to export targets, and a private audit firm will check TDAP's performance and accounts. For exporters, nothing changes in TDAP's services today.
TDAP is the federal body under the Commerce Ministry that promotes Pakistani exports. It runs trade fairs and the Pakistan pavilions abroad, registers exporters for its services and issues certificates of origin. We read the government's account of the 6 November meeting the same day, and the Planning Ministry's export figures for July to September 2026. Here is what was approved and what an exporter should do.
The Prime Minister approved four changes to TDAP
According to the government's account, the Prime Minister approved TDAP's modernisation to raise exports, widen access to foreign markets and bring local industry, including SMEs, up to export standards. He ordered merit hiring, performance-linked promotion and an outside audit, and a 12-month plan was presented.
| Decision | What the meeting said |
|---|---|
| Modernise TDAP | Turn it into a modern, internationally benchmarked trade promotion organisation |
| Hiring | Induct well-trained staff through a transparent, merit-based process |
| Promotion | Link career progression to achieving targets and performance |
| Audit | Hire a reputable private audit firm for a performance and financial audit |
| Timeline | 12-month phased plan: approval, design, implementation, independent evaluation |
The Prime Minister said reforms are only possible when career progress inside an institution is linked to results. He also said Pakistan has large export potential and a useful location, and that the government is helping industry and SMEs to export more.
The 12-month plan has four phases
The plan presented at the meeting runs for 12 months in four phases: approval, design, implementation and independent evaluation. The government's account does not give a start date, a budget or the length of each phase. If the 12 months start now, the last phase would end around November 2027.
The four phases, in order, are:
- Approval: the reform package is cleared. The Prime Minister's decision on 6 November is the start of this step.
- Design: the new structure, jobs and targets are drawn up.
- Implementation: new staff are hired and the new system goes live.
- Independent evaluation: an outside review checks whether the reforms worked.
The private audit is a separate step. It will look at both how TDAP performs and how it spends money. The account does not say when the audit firm will be hired or whether its report will be published.
Pakistan's exports grew 7.7 percent in July to September 2026
The reform comes as goods exports are rising. The Planning Minister's October development update said merchandise exports rose 7.7 percent to $8.5 billion in July to September 2026, from $7.9 billion a year earlier. Goods and services together rose 11 percent to $11.2 billion.
The same update gave growth by sector for the quarter:
- Petroleum products up 44.5 percent.
- Services exports up 22.8 percent, with IT exports at $1.2 billion.
- Food exports up 17.1 percent.
- Engineering goods up 4.9 percent.
- Textiles up 2.5 percent.
Textiles, the largest export, grew the slowest of these. That is the gap a trade promotion body is meant to help close. Our page on Pakistan's trade deficit every month in 2026 has the monthly numbers.
What exporters should do now
Keep using TDAP's current services. Registration, trade fair applications and certificates of origin work as before until TDAP announces a change. If you want to join a TDAP-led delegation or a fair, apply through the normal process now rather than waiting for the reforms.
Four practical steps for a small exporter:
- Register as an exporter, if you have not, using our five-step TDAP guide for new exporters.
- Get certificates of origin online through the Pakistan Single Window. Our guide to the electronic certificate of origin explains it.
- Check the Karachi Expo Centre schedule for fairs before the year ends.
- Watch TDAP's own website for job adverts, since merit hiring is part of the plan.
Separately, on 5 November the Prime Minister directed that SMEs no longer need to export 80 percent of output to qualify for long-term financing. Our report on that SME long-term financing change has the details.
Common questions
What is TDAP?
The Trade Development Authority of Pakistan is the federal export promotion body under the Ministry of Commerce. It runs trade fairs, delegations and exporter services.
What did the Prime Minister approve for TDAP?
On 6 November 2026 he approved TDAP's modernisation, with merit hiring, promotion linked to targets, a private audit and a 12-month phased reform plan.
Do TDAP services change now?
No change has been announced. Registration, fairs and certificates of origin continue as before.
When will the TDAP reforms be complete?
The plan runs for 12 months in four phases. No start date was given.
How much did Pakistan's exports grow this year?
Goods exports rose 7.7 percent to $8.5 billion in July to September 2026, according to the Planning Ministry.
Will TDAP hire new staff?
The Prime Minister directed that well-trained staff be inducted through a transparent, merit-based process. No posts or dates have been announced.
What we checked and sources
On 6 November 2026 we read the federal government's account of the Prime Minister's TDAP meeting, published that day by the state broadcaster, and the Press Information Department's release on the October 2026 Monthly Development Update for the export figures. We did not find a TDAP notice on the reforms, a start date or a budget, so none is stated.
About the author
Global Affairs & Political Economy Writer
Muhammad Hatim is a book lover who started writing because he enjoys it. At Pakistan Era he writes about international relations, geopolitics and the global economy, with a particular interest in South Asia and the forces behind current events.
