Pakistan has officially secured its position as a permanent member of the International Olive Council (IOC) for the first time, participating in the organisation’s 123rd session held in Lisbon. This marks a significant step for the country in the global olive industry.
The Pakistani delegation was led by Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain, with Pakistan’s Ambassador to Portugal, Ayesha Farooqui, also present at the session. Pakistan was granted membership in May 2026, joining an international body that unites olive-producing nations to foster collaboration in the olive and olive oil sectors.
At the session, Pakistan took its seat alongside representatives from 27 olive-producing countries. The IOC’s executive director, chairman, and member states extended a warm welcome to Pakistan, recognizing its new role within the council.
In his address, Rana Tanveer Hussain expressed gratitude to the IOC and its member countries for admitting Pakistan as a permanent member. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s dedication to actively contributing to the advancement of the global olive sector.
Highlighting the country’s progress, the minister noted that over seven million olive trees have been planted across 55,669 acres under Pakistan’s olive cultivation programme. He further emphasized that Pakistan has developed a comprehensive olive value chain, encompassing cultivation, processing, and distribution from farm to consumer. This development reflects Pakistan’s increasing focus on expanding its olive industry and boosting agricultural exports.
