ISLAMABAD: Government is striving to normalise trade with India, said Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar on Wednesday while speaking in the National Assembly during the question and answer hour.
She said that as a first step, a negative list of 1209 items has been notified which will be phased out by December this year, leading to complete normalisation of trade with India. The Foreign Minister said she hopes India will also remove non-tariff barriers for the improvement of trade ties, which will ultimately be beneficial to the consumers of both the countries.
Speaking about Pakistan’s relations with other countries in the recent years, Khar said international relations with important countries have improved due to the efforts made by the current government.
“Getting preferential trade access to the EU markets is a success of the present government,” she claimed.
During the question hour, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) members continued their sloganeering against Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani. They also tore copies of the question hour sheet.
National Assembly Speaker Dr Fehmida Mirza asked the opposition members not to undermine the supremacy of the Parliament and observe parliamentary decorum. However, the PML-N members continued with their agitation, disrupting the proceedings.
Gilani supports Pak-India trade
Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said on Wednesday that all steps are being taken to promote trade as well as social ties between India and Pakistan.
Addressing a Pak-India Scouts gathering, Gilani said that President Asif Ali Zardari has also met with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and both have agreed to boost friendly relations to ensure peace in the region.
India has also in-principle agreed to allow foreign direct investment (FDI) from Pakistan as announced by Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma, reported IANS.
According to the report, Sharma said that the move is expected to enhance the commercial engagement and bilateral trade between India and Pakistan.
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@dv sikka: They traded Kashmir for 26/11.
@BlackJack: Who says we feel threatened by this ? All mainstream broad based political parties in pakistan are supportive of this policy.
To have full benefit of the measures the Federal Government and the Provincial Governments in Punjab and Sindh should forthwith open gates at the border and improve infrastructure and communications on emergency basis.
What about 26/11.
Whatever else you may hold against the current civilian govt, the fact is that they have made large strides towards normalizing relations with India in the face of negative public opinion. While many of you may feel threatened by this, it is a bold move that can ultimately create a more stable and prosperous Pakistan.