Pak-India trade normalisation: Dar stresses on non-discriminatory market access

Finance minister says that it should be ensured that all the concessions are on reciprocal basis.

ISLAMABAD: Finance minister Ishaq Dar, in a meeting on examining trade with India on Thursday, said that it should be ensured all concessions offered are on a reciprocal basis with meaningful market access and level playing field for Pakistan’s exports to India.

Held at the finance ministry, commerce secretary Qasim Muhammad Niaz briefed the committee on examining trade with India on the pros and cons of normalisation of trade relations with Pakistan’s eastern neighbours, the benefits that will accrue in export of textile and manufactured goods and on the broader framework of the roadmap to move ahead on non-discriminatory market access for Pakistan’s exports.

Dar chaired the meeting which was informed that all stakeholders have been taken into confidence and concerns of our industry will be addressed in the process.

Commerce Minister Khurram Dastagir Khan briefed the committee on the progress made on addressing Pakistan’s genuine concerns during his last visit to India.

The finance minister said that it should be ensured that all the concessions are on reciprocal basis and concerns of our industry should be taken care in the future arrangement.

Dar added that import from India should substitute our import from other countries which will save valuable foreign exchange.

The minister emphasised that there should be meaningful market access and level playing field for Pakistan’s exports to India.

The committee will present its detailed report to the Cabinet for consideration.

Special Adviser to Prime Minsiter on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatmi, FBR Chairman Tariq Bajwa, former commerce secretary Zafar Mehmood , Nestle Pakistan Chairman Syed Yawar Ali, Adviser to Finance Ministry Rana Asad Amin and senior officials of the concerned ministries also attended the meeting.