ISLAMABAD – Pakistan on Monday ruled out the possibility of granting Most-Favoured Nation (MFN) status to India in the trade talks to begin from Wednesday (tomorrow) in New Delhi.
“Granting MFN status to India is not part of agenda of the talks as both sides will hold negotiations on giving non-discriminatory access (NDA) to the markets of two countries,” said Minister of State for Commerce and Textile Engineer Khurram Dastgir Khan while talking to The Nation on Monday. The title of the talks will be “meeting for review of previous round of setting of fresh timelines”.
He informed that Pakistan would raise the issue of non-tariff barriers faced by the business community of Pakistan.
The two-day secretary-level talks will start from tomorrow (Wednesday), which will be followed by the meeting of commerce ministers of the two countries, said Khurram Dastgir Khan. [su_quote]I will visit to New Delhi to attend the SAARC Business Conclave starting on Friday and will hold meeting with my Indian counterpart on the sidelines of the business conclave,[/su_quote]said the state minister.
Last round of talks between Pakistan and India was held in September 2012. Sources informed that both sides would also review the electricity trade, opening of bank branches in the upcoming talks.
Sources said that non-discriminatory access (NDA) is the other name of Most-Favoured Nation status for India, which will have lesser political implication. On the issue of NDA, the source said that Pakistani ministry of commerce would approach the stakeholders after making progress on phasing out of the negative list.
The government has not decided to grant Most-Favoured Nation (MFN) status to India, as it would consider it after 2014 general elections of the neighbouring country, sources said. Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has already made it clear that there is no immediate plan to give MFN status to India, saying there is a need to normalise relations between the two countries. However, Pakistan had assured the International Monetary Fund (IMF), as part of $6.64 billion loan agreement, of granting the MFN status to India. “We are moving forward to eliminate the negative list on trade with India and extend India the Most-Favoured Nation status,” Pakistan had said in a letter to the IMF.
Meanwhile, according to statement issued here, Indian Commerce Minister Anand Sharma will inaugurate the 5th South Asian Business Leaders Conclave (SBLC) on Thursday in New Delhi. Engr Khurram Dastagir, who will lead the Pakistani delegation, will address the ministerial round along with his counterparts from other South Asian countries.
“The SBLC, which has been graduated to Economic Davos of South Asia is a biennial event of SAARC Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SAAC CCI) which is addressed by eminent personalities, business leaders and policy makers from across the region,” states a press release issued by chairman media, diplomatic affairs and public relations FPCCI Malik Sohail Hussain. The 5th edition of the Conclave is being organised in collaboration with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) in partnership with Friedrich Naumann Foundation: regional directorate, New Delhi.
About 300 delegates from across South Asia are expected to participate in the Conclave which is being organised under the theme “South Asian Century: Progressing towards Regional Integration” while focusing on important contemporary and emerging issues. The inaugural session will be followed by Ministerial Round “Taking Stock of the South Asian Economic Integration Process” wherein Commerce/Economic Affairs Ministers from Afghanistan, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka will share their vision to foster regional integration process in South Asia. In addition to five sessions on important issues like energy cooperation, entrepreneurial development, South Asia in 21st Century and others the Conclave also includes dedicated session on youth.
In addition to Indian commerce minister, the inaugural session will be addressed by Ahmed Saleem, Secretary General South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, Vikramjit Singh Sahney, President SAARC CCI, Sidharath Birla, President FICCI and Siegfried Herzog, Regional Director FNF.
The ministerial round will also be addressed by Shaker Kargar, Minister of Commerce and Industry Afghanistan, Norbu Wangchuk, Minister of Economic Affairs Bhutan, Mohamed Saeed, Minister for Economic Development Maldives, Shanker Prasad Koirala, Minister for Commerce and Supplies Nepal and Abdul Rishad Bathiudeen, Minister of Industry and Commerce Sri Lanka.
The unresolved issue relating to expanded ‘containerized trade’ is likely to be taken up in secretary-level talks in New Delhi.
Well-informed sources aware of the development told TheNation that the factor has also caused limited trade from the land route of Wagah/Attari while more committed effort to implementing the roadmap from both sides remained unseen unfortunately.
The two sides in secretary-level talks are likely to agree on fresh timelines for implementing the agreed roadmap regarding expanded bilateral trade.
“Expanded bilateral trade and political relationship between India and Pakistan would surly help both the countries to get the Safta agreements implemented in its true spirit,” a businessman from Pakistani side commented. He also said that without the removal of major obstacles by India in the way of expanded trade, Pakistan should set aside one of its promise it had made earlier in the roadmap pertain to grant India with the MFN (most favoured nation) status.
It is to note here that India’s trade with Bangladesh, for example, has more than doubled to $5.8bn since 2010. Similarly, its trade with Nepal has surged from $1.9b to $3.6bn and with Sri Lanka from $2.5bn to $4.6bn. Pakistan, on the other hand, has remained far behind to boost its trade significantly with the Saarc member countries. Its trade with Nepal is negligible and with Bangladesh $650mn and with Sri Lank $384mn.
Source: The Nation
It is prident to highlight that the present mess in Bangladesh is also related to trade and closer ties with India.
We already have issues on terror launched from India through Afghanistan, negative media using blame game after Indian fake encounters against innocent people living along the LoC in Kashmir.
Unrest in Baloshitan and the problems in Karachi are all the doings of India while I agree not entirely because Pakistan the foolish naive state it is allows a perfect platform for resentment to simmer to allow incitement to grow.
Pakistan should by all means look for better relationships with India but only after it stops it’s designs to malign and terrorise Pakistan and be very genuine over resolving Kashmir issue, Sir Creek, Siachen, Manvadh and Jungadh.
Pakistan should increase trade with China further and look to better trade in Central Asia and more exposure to Middle East and Asia Pacific markets.
India must not be allowed any possible foothold inside Pakistan until it can behave responsibly and with the butcher of Gujerat destined to hold the mantle of the Hindu sentiment of India – good move Pakistan.
Finally something positive to say about Nawaz Shareef’s government.
Pakistan’s plan should be very simple:
Continue to support the Kashmiri cause
Seek and dstroy the TTP leaders who are paid mercenaries of foreign states. Agreed on disarming militants confused by te lies and incitement created by foreign states and their corrupt mercenaries leaders.
Support a stable Afghanistan
Vanquish the threat in Balochistan from paid off sardars acting on the behest of foreign states. Improve infrastructure and invest heavily and make Balochi cities among the most modern and progressive and education to match it. Employment is vital in Balochistan therefore absolute cordial relationships with Iran is vital and a stable Afghanistan.
Increase the development and trade of Gwader but also Karachi
Vanquish the mobsters in Karachi, do what the AMeircans did against the Mob and bring in corrupt politicians and law men supporting these mobsters.
Increase development in Khyber and Pakthunkwa as well as Sindh and Lahore.
Pakistan internally needs to pickup from 1960’s as a major developing nation and inernally is a huge economy to capitalise on.
A stable Pakistan linked through to China, Central Asia and continues secure maritime access to the Middle East is a propsperous Pakistan. Look at linking Asia Pacific with Central Asia and Middle East and with China.
Pakistan simply put does NOT need a trade partner in India, a stable Pakistan has shown that it’s economy grows far rapidly than India’s.
We can not compromise our security and borders with a nation that has nefarious designs over our state and liberty it is quite simple and WE as a antion should not SHY away from telling the world our problem with India.
If India resolves her issues and desists in terror against Pakistan and behaves as aresponsible neighbour then we can have trade talks with India but not at the expense of Pakistani sovereignty and Pakistani geopolitical and economic interests in our back yard.
A jaundiced eye always see yellow. Trade will open the opportunity for people to people contact and harmonious relations. Look at your “langotiya yaar” China, they are at logger heads with India but still doing billions of worth business and neithers’ sovereignty and interests are at stake.
Emphatic no…
No thanks..
My sincere apologies to my Balochi bhai’s I often type of sensitice touch screen mobile devices.
It is not Baloshitan but Balochistan a region so important to the identity of the entire Indus Valley which we call Pakistan.
A cursory look at economic history will show us that those nations that have protected their core industries until they are capable of competing against large sized corporations with advantages of economies of scale, have have successful at penetrating the international markets.
Protect, grow, compete. Can our “businessman” PM not understand that basic equation?
Striver well written and I agree.
1. Fortify Pakistan and Remove external threats and those compromised within
2. Spend time and money in stoping Indian Psychological Operations by spread malice and misinformation about Pakistan.
3. Rebuild our economy and certainly capable of taking our GDP to 8% at least as a platform to grow.
4. We need to fundamentally united which we are that Opening our borders, markets including Services to India will be detrimental to the foundation of Pakistan.
5. Take drastic steps to take down everyone against the state of Pakistan, from judiciary, Media and politics.
6. Continue supporting The Kashmiri right for self determination and the onus forever is on India to implement the UN Resolution.
7. We as Pakistan are in a unique place to unite the Turkic people of Central Asia, with the wider Muslim world through Afghanistan, create a politically, socially and economically strong union highly integrated.
8. Increase opportunity and security from Karachi to Quetta
Only then can a stable well “communicated” Pakistan can then increase trade across Central Asia, Middle East, Africa but also Asia Pacific without even requiring a single product from India.
By “containing” Indian moves to demonise and destabilise Pakistan can Pakistan move ahead, Indian remains the largest impediment to Pakistan on the global forum continously blocking any move that increases people to people exchange, trade in Pakistan leading to the improvement of the Pakistani economy.
Focus on developing Gwader and Karachi but also making our northern areas progressive and modern making Peshawar a Central cross road like it always was.
The above can not exist without security hence why stability in Pakistan is paramount therefore continued penetration of Indian culture, nefarious design on the pretext of trade will be detrimental to Pakistan.
Did Pakistan need India between 1948 – 1968 when our economy grew exponentially and was among the fastest growing economies in the world. Did we need India between 1968 and 2013 despite decade after decade of conflict that emanated from the nefarious designs of our Eastern neighbour and continue to do so.
Just stop and understand the filthy psyche of the Indians using anything to demonise Pakistani identity from something as trivial as Veena Malik. We all agreed she has a lot to answer for herself but alhamdulillah she has taken steps to rectify her mistakes so we should encourage her. Look how the Indians belittled her, dishonoured her, constant controversy to destroy the identity of the honourable Pakistani Muslim Woman through her. Her recent controversy with her digital media manager is yet another episode of Indians spreading lies to dishonour Pakistan by defaming someone as irrelevant as Veena Malik.
Constant betrayals, deceit and conspiracies against Veena Malik creating an environment to use her to attack Pakistani honour, this is what every Indian wants To do to every single Pakistani sister.
They are NOT your friends or well washers but within closed doors plan your destruction and demise, their hatred is deep seated and do not be fooled by their Cha Nakya plans.
Who has hatred for whom is very obvious by reding the comments here. Chanakya (and not Cha Nakya) was an ancient economist and politcal scientist who wrote “Arthshastra” which theoritised the art of governance. Your ISI seems to consider him its guru. ISI was trying to infiltrate indian minister Shashi tharoor through pak glam journo Mehr Tarar and the poor wife had to end her life. We never thought Veena Mallik is so closed to your hearts. Indian page 3 media gives as much coverage to any woman who poses topless. Veena is denying her affairs because now she is married and we would like her to have a happy married life so lets not discuss her past and believe in whatever she says without any arguments.
Coming to the economy, Pakistan really did wonderfully in the initial years after freedom but your undoing started with Opn Gibraltar in 1965. Your quest to grab Kashmir by force would cause economic doom for Pakistan. It does not matter you do business with India or not, both can survive and flourish without looking at each other but a third nation would strive at our adversity. The world considers south asians as indians and accordingly respects or disrespects us. When they use terms like Pakis and other derogatory terms they dont ask our nationality, for them we all are same people. and howsoever you try to make yourself identify with central asia or arab world, you remain an indian or a paki.
Regarding referendum in kashmir, na nau man tel hoga, na radha nachegi. first condition for plebiscite in kashmir is that Pakistan will withdraw all its forces from Kashmir and then it will happen. for last 65 years you have failed to withdraw your forces and blame it on India. Now, having thrown the non muslims out of kashmir the referendum is as meaningless as pakistani elections under a military dictator. Otherwise also no kashmiri in india wants to join pakistan. period.
For Pakistan unbearable truth becomes propaganda. You are in habit of denying everything. Osama is not in Pakistan, there was no pak army involvement in Kargil, Kasab and others were not Pakis etc. etc. and when you are caught red handed, you still try to live in denial. What was Ghulam Nabi Fai doing in US and why was he arrested? Who is doing propaganda and throwing poor pakistanis money like water?
Trust me many indians are also not interested in doing trade with pakistan but its in the interest of people to people connect that we start making contacts and its definitely makes sense to business with each other that will help people of both the nations but if you are so dogged with enmity and hatred then please live with it. A nation which is well bonded from within does not feel threatened from outside.
Pakistan is training center for terrorists mainly in POK. Pakistan already sold part of kashmir to china.Pakistanis are salves of America.American army killing pakistanis in there own country.
I think the Kashmiris have will and have waited for India long enough for Indians to abide by the UN resolutions.
Kashmir has shown their commitment for dialogue and move to implementing the UN Resolution.
Offcourse there is no will where Kashmiris are being massacred or demonised through false black ops by a filthy Indian propagandist machine – so you keep crying wolf India.
Now onto to Mehr and Shashi are you so BLOODY STUPID to think a Oxford graduate a highly intellectual guy would post such twitter messages followed by many.
As for hatred you have murdered and displaced a million of my jith and kin so I jave every right to hate India and it will not go away any day soon.
We Kashmiris quite well know how much of a well wisher you Indians are to kashmir and can do without you people and your filthy practices and dirtying the environment with your pollution.
I find it abhorrent and disgusting to be called Indian and there is a stark difference between you people from the lower Ganges and the people of The Indus. Even you find them not easy on the eye and promote north Indians who resemble us as the face of India when the real Indians look nothing of the sort – so I can not help you there.
Kashmiris make it clear what their intention is, their demands, their marches of thousands are very clear to everyone. Closing their doors and shops on Indian Independence day and no celebrations and out celebrating on the day before on Pakistani independence.
I am a Kashmiri and I love Pakistan and I hate India and a sentiment felt across Kashmir sadly our brethren are held hostage by a vile military occupation.
Aksai Chin is a barren region no one living there and we Kashmiris have no issue there but then WTF is it to you and I do not make claim over Gujerat or Mumbai so who are you make claim on my heritage.
I am sure my sentiments will not register on your despotice mindset seeking prolonged opresion of Kashmiris through continued occupation of Kashmir.
Therefore read this to:
This letter was faxed from Srinagar on 26 August 2013 to the German embassy in New Delhi and the Bavarian State Opera. List of signatories given at the end.
To,
Ambassador Michael Steiner,
German Embassy,
New Delhi, India.
Subject: URGENT Protest Letter to German Embassy on scheduled Zubin Mehta concert in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir on 7 September 2013
On 22 August 2013, a press release was issued by the German Embassy that Zubin Mehta would be conducting an orchestra on 7 September 2013 at Shalimar Bagh, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir.
The press release quoted you as stating that the concert was for the people of Jammu and Kashmir by way of a cultural tribute. The press release also reads that the concert was intended to give a message of hope and encouragement to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The concert, said to be a part of a “broader engagement” is being organized by the German Embassy and supported by the “competent authorities both at Central as well as at Union State level”. The costs of the concert are covered by “benevolent sponsors mainly from the business world in India and Germany, as well as “Incredible India‟ and the German Foreign Office”.
The people of Jammu and Kashmir take immense pride in our rich history of resisting oppression. We also have historically cultivated a sublime tradition in, and love for, music. Music – which appeals to the higher truths of love, justice, dignity, and peace; which genuinely acknowledges the long suffering, and yet bravely resisting, Kashmiris; and which is performed for the actual public – is wholeheartedly welcomed. However, legitimizing an occupation via a musical concert is completely unacceptable. Art as propaganda, as abundantly documented, was put to horrific use in Nazi Germany. We are sure you will understand that we cannot welcome anything even remotely analogous in Jammu and Kashmir. Sadly, the occupation will be amply reflected in the demographics of the audience of the proposed concert – the list of “invitees only” is bound to be restricted to the members of the apparatuses of the Occupying State: from perpetrators of crimes, as heinous as murder, rape, and torture, to the local collaborators of the State and perhaps some powerless, vulnerable and compliant few.
The people of Jammu and Kashmir, for whom this concert is purportedly meant, have been subject to an occupation by the Indian State for the last 66 years. These 66 years have exposed the people to various shades and faces of the Indian occupation. But, two features have been consistent. First, State brutality and absolute impunity. The institutional culture of moral, political and juridical impunity has resulted in, by some estimates [as of 2013], enforced and involuntary disappearance of at least 8000 persons besides more than 70,000 killings, countless cases of torture, rape, molestation and disclosures of over 7000 unknown, unmarked, and mass graves. There have been no effective prosecutions of the perpetrators to date. Therefore, absolute impunity.
The second consistent feature of the Indian State has been its constant endeavour to forcibly control the public, regional and international narrative on Jammu and Kashmir. From criminalizing the popular dissent and resistance as “terrorism”, “anti-national”, or “unpopular”, to the more recent obsession with portraying “normalcy” and “peace”, the Indian State seeks to obfuscate the truth and forcibly control the destiny of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Since 1947, the Indian State has sought to use art, sports, cinema and culture to camouflage the real truth about Jammu and Kashmir. The scheduled Zubin Mehta concert is yet another attempt to control the narrative. It is an attempt to portray “normalcy” and “peace” to the international community and other stakeholders.
In this context, it is most unfortunate that the German Embassy should seek to collaborate, perhaps unwittingly, with the Indian State in Kashmir, recognized as an international dispute by the United Nations and the international community, without any sensitivity to the aspirations of the people, or issues faced, or the machinations of the Indian State. It is unfortunate that the German Embassy lends itself to be party to an event that very obviously forms a part of the ongoing Indian attempt to control the manner in which the world views the unresolved dispute of Jammu and Kashmir.
The German Embassy must be sensitive to the fact that the people of Jammu and Kashmir want peace and normalcy, but not as hollow punch lines of State craft, but as real concepts that flow from, and are necessarily linked to ideas of justice, dignity, freedom and political choice.
The German Embassy must take serious issue with the fact that the Indian State seeks to disregard a European Parliament resolution, of July 2008, which urged the Government of India to hold an investigation into the alleged mass/unidentified graves in Kashmir, and called upon the European Commission to offer financial and technical assistance to the Government of India for this purpose. But, at the same time, the Indian State is eager to collaborate on convenient projects, such as a concert in Kashmir.
The international community, including the German Government, must not allow itself to be party to activities that seek to further legitimize the Indian occupation in Jammu and Kashmir. The Nuremberg principles clearly established that to be complicit in crime is to commit crime under international law. There is no place for silence. There is no place for passive collaboration that seeks to be unmindful of the real issues that face a people. An occupation cannot be ignored or conveniently forgotten.
A Zubin Mehta performance in Jammu and Kashmir, though a privilege, cannot be used to further an occupying State‟s narrative. Therefore, it is incumbent on the German Embassy to immediately recognize the reality within which this concert is taking place. The German Embassy must issue a statement accepting the disputed nature of Jammu and Kashmir, and recognizing the pain and legitimate political and legal struggle of its people.
Regards,
1. Dr. Altaf Hussain – Author, Pediatrician
2. Adv. Parvez Imroz – Human Rights Defender, President – Jammu and Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society
3. Zareef Ahmed Zareef – Poet, Civil Society Activist
4. Mohammad Anwar Ashai – Civil Society Activist, Businessman
5. Abdul Majid Zargar – Columnist, Chartered Accountant
6. Bashir Ahmed Dar – Civil Society Activist, former Secretary, Department of Education
7. Zahid Ghulam Mohammad – Columnist, Author
8. Dr. Javid Iqbal – Columnist, Physician
9. Hilal Mir – Journalist
10. Najeeb Mubarki – Journalist
11. Huma Dar – Academician
12. Mohammad Junaid – Academician
13. Wajahat Ahmed – Academician
14. Zahir-ud-Din – Author and Journalist
15. Abir Bazaz – Academician
16. Arif Ayaz Parrey – Writer
17. Suhail Masoodi – Academician
18. Fayaz Ahmed Dar – Researcher, Civil Society Activist
19. Dr. Mirza Ashraf Beg – Civil Society Activist
20. Samreen Mushtaq – Social Worker
21. Uzaifa Basu – Social Worker
22. Ifrah Mushtaq – Social Worker
23. Imran Majid – Human Rights Defender
24. Salman Bhat – Human Rights Defender
25. Uzma Qureshi – Social Worker
26. Parvaiz Ahmed Matta – Human Rights Defender
27. Khurram Parvez – Human Rights Defender
28. Shakeel Qalandar – Civil Society Activist / Member, Kashmir Centre for Social and Development Studies
29. Sajad Hussain, Social Activist
….50. Alansaralhaq, blogger
I would have also signed that letter.
Who can go against the dictats of the militants? In Mumbai if Shiv sena calls for a Bandh, even muslims will observe Bandh not because they support shivsena but they dont want their shops to be burnt. Shopkeepers know in kashmir valley that if they keep their shops open on 15th aug. or 26th jan, no one will be able to save them from the wrath of pak sponsored militants. the world knows about it. This is not unique to kashmir, we have seen it in Punjab and in north east.
You are sounding racist while abusing people of lower ganges. please remember lower ganges has sizeable muslim population and islam shuns all sorts of racism or discrimination based on the color of skin.
Regarding Mehr Tarar please understand a wife wont commit suiside just like that. this was cooking for a long time and we know ISI or for that matter any intelligence agency use women for their purpose and with a womanizer like shashi tharoor, he was one easy target. lets not talk about it though.
If you live in the valley, how happy and peaceful is valley today. If you are an indian, then you should know there is nothing like Kashmir nation. if every language and dialects start making a nation then there will be independent Balochistan, Sind, and many independent nations in NWFP, FATA etc. and 2500 nations in india. You are victim of pakistani propaganda and pak sponsored militancy.
Pakistan is training center for terrorists mainly in POK. Pakistan already sold part of kashmir to china.Pakistanis are salves of America.American army killing pakistanis in there own country.Pakistan to how to remove US army from there country