Commerce Ministry is reportedly showing extraordinary support for granting the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status to India which has joined hands with Afghanistan to hurl accusations and threats to Pakistan subsequent to the killing of Osama bin Laden.
Other SAARC countries namely Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Bhutan have refrained from commenting on the death of Osama with respect to Pakistan's non-role in the entire operation. India and Pakistan recently held 5th round of talks in Bhurban and according to official joint statement both countries agreed that an increase in trade and economic engagement would help not only each country's quest for national development but also contribute to building trust between the two countries.
"Informally Pakistan has shown willingness to grant MFN status to India, however, formal announcement is expected to be made in November this year when Secretary Commerce will visit New Delhi," said an official of Commerce Ministry on condition of anonymity. In case Pakistan grants MFN status to India without any progress on composite dialogue, it will be a departure from President Musharraf's foreign policy. India is the only country which refused to allow the European Union to extend the trade package meant for flood affectees.
Commerce Ministry, sources said, has spent Rs 1.1 million to facilitate Secretary level talks which actually were in favour of India. India is also urging Pakistan to allow its trucks to cross Wagha border to load Afghan goods, a demand that is expected to be accepted by Islamabad as Washington which played pivotal role in APTTA is pushing for this arrangements, revealed an insider.
New Delhi argues that any bilateral trade pact between Pakistan and India will be possible only after Islamabad gives MFN status to India. The sources said, Secretary Commerce, Zafar Mahmood is personally suggesting measures to improve trade relations with India.
Pakistan maintains that India should remove non-tariff barriers for Pakistani exports prior to the grant of MFN status. Commerce Ministry, sources said, will table the future trade deal proposal before the concerned stakeholders including national security institutions.
Both countries have already agreed to set up a Joint Working Group (JWG) to enhance trade between the two countries including in critical sectors like oil, gas and electricity. The JWG would be co-chaired by the Joint Secretaries of the respective departments of commerce. Pakistan's business community is also urging the government to expand trade relations with India as this will be beneficial for both the countries. As the Commerce Ministry has started working on Trade Policy 2011-12, business community is suggesting that imports of different goods from India be allowed.
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