Pakistan is seriously considering to completely abolish the negative list, meeting Afghan government's longstanding demand, sources in Commerce Ministry said here on Monday. They said that Commerce Ministry would be taking this step after receiving directive from Prime Minister Secretariat, suggesting that the negative list of Afghan Transit Trade Agreement (ATTA) be abolished as early as possible.
According to sources, the Ministry had prepared a summary and submitted for formal approval by Economic Co-ordination Committee of the Cabinet (ECC). During discussion, a few members had raised objections, saying that removal of the whole negative list would harm the local industry.
ECC deferred consideration of the summary to next meeting. However, an official in Finance Ministry said that Commerce Ministry had been asked to incorporate some changes in the summary to make it acceptable to objectors.
Following are the goods expected to be included in the positive list:-
1- Cigarettes and other tobacco substitutes.
2- Cooking oil.
3- Tyres and tubes.
4- Television and their spare parts.
5- Auto parts.
6- Telephone sets.
Sources said that ECC is expected to take decision in its meeting this week.