Islamabad: The Federal Cabinet has approved to give India the status
of “Most Favourite Nation” (MFN) by declaring that government policy on
Kashmir would not be changed.
This was said by Federal Minister
of Information Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan while briefing the media after the
cabinet meeting here on Wednesday. She said that after the consultation
with all stakeholders, Cabinet decided to declare India ‘Most Favourite
Nation regarding trade. However, she said it would not affect the
Kashmir cause as Pakistan would not change its stance on Kashmir. She
said that Kashmiri leadership was also taken on board regarding trade
with India. The trade is also going on between Azad Kashmir and Occupied
Kashmir.
On the occasion of Federal Secretary Commerce Zafar
Mehmood told journalists that both India and Pakistan should cease the
non tariff barriers. He said by giving the status of MFN to India means
routine trade would be increased between two sides.. He said India has
not been provided trade route to Afghanistan . By the decision she is
allowed to carry out trde with Pakistan through Wahaga border by train
and by road.
He said that India and Pakistan had decided to
grant the status of MFN to each other in 1947, cabinet only ratified the
decision of Quaid-e-Azam and Liaquat Ali Khan. Latter the agreement was
abolished in 1961.
Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan told the media that
cabinet also approved the amendments in the rules of Election
Commission of Pakistan. She said that the court verdicts regarding
arrest of former President Pervez Musharraf and ex-Prime Minister
Shaukat Aziz in Bugti’s killing case would be acted upon.
She
said that almost 80 percent of Aghaz Haqooq-e-Baluchistan package has
been implemented and some 172 political cases have been withdrawn “ The
cabinet took review of the impediments in the way of Aghaz
Haqooq-e-Baluchistan package to ensure the provincial autonomy and
political reforms in Baluchistan.
Dr Firdous said that
Baluchistan had been depressed in the past despite the largest province
of the country. The cabinet has also agreed to enhance Baluchistan’s
share under NFC award by Rs108 billion for the current fiscal year
Information
Minister told that some 665 prisoners were released in Baluchistan
under ongoing political reforms , initiated by PPP led government . She
told the journalists that the process of political dialogue with
Baluchs to remove their apprehensions has been commenced in the
province, whereas Chief Minister was given with more authority. “ The
cabinet also discussed regarding the arrears of Rs 120 billion on
account of gas development surcharge and decided that federal government
would pay Rs 10 billion to Baluchistan every year.
She said
that a hefty amount of Rs 4.23 billion was distributed among 440,000
families through Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) whereas PSDP of
Rs 100 billion has also been completed in Baluchistan.
The
cabinet also endorsed the agreement between national news agency ,
Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) and Turkish News Agency. The accord
would be fruitful in portraying the correct image of Pakistan in Western
media. Online
