Karachi : Although Pakistan has been given status of Most Favorite Nation (MFN) by India, but it has imposed Non-Tariff Barriers (NTB) on the imports from Pakistan. This matter must be taken up with the Indian Secretary Commerce during his visit to Islamabad at the end of this month, a level meeting with the Federal Secretary Commerce Zafar Mahmood on his visit to FPCCI Head Office Karachi urged on Monday.
As regards the issue of conferring MFN status to India, FPCCI's view is that consultation with all relevant stake holders is required. The meeting was attended by the prominent business leader and immediate past president of FPCCI and SAARC CCI Tariq Sayeed, President IPCCI S.M.Munir, Vice Presidents FPCCI Dawood Usman Jakhura, Khalid Tawab, Engineer Muhammad Usman Shaikh, Executive member IPCCI Khurram Sayeed, Shakeel Dhengra, Muhammad Raza Khan, Muhammad Mansha Churra, Amjid Rafi, Amjid Shahid, M.Zubair Tufail and Secretary General Masood Alam Rizvi.
Speaking at the occasion, Tariq Sayeed said that Pakistan's business community has some serious reservations and India must adopt sincere policy for the promotion of Pak-India trade terminating dualstandards in the name of Quality and Standards. He urged that these dual policies are Non-Tariff Barriers (NTB) which need to be removed immediately.
S. Khalid Tawab, Vice President FPCCI said Pakistani businessmen and industrialists have visa problemsand on the pattern of SAARC visa stickers India and Pakistan should consider allowing IPCCI to issue five years visa stickers for the promotion of bilateral trade between the two countries.
S.M. Munir said that bilateral trade may be allowed throughout the Indo-Pak borders including Wahga border to reduce the cargo charges on goods. He also expressed his deep concern over the smuggling of livestock from Pakistan and urged for taking steps to reduce smuggling.
Zafar Mahmood Secretary Commerce said that government of Pakistan is holding consultation with the FPCCI on policy issues on the demand of traders and industrialist community and this meeting is a partof that strategy. He said that he will favor the suggestions of FPCCI in policy making about the status of MFN to India. He urged the business leaders to invest in livestock sector due to the increasing demands of Halal foods and meat in the world. Business leaders assured him their full cooperation.
