20.1.14

Of Non-Discriminatory Access....

Pakistan said it is willing to allow ‘non-discriminatory access’ to India, while ruling out the ‘Most Favoured Nation’ (MFN) status, and chose not to commit to allowing free trade through the land route.
Pakistan has avoided granting MFN to India for nearly 18 years and has now come up with new nomenclature to address its domestic constituency. Although MFN will ensure that all Indian imports are allowed into Pakistan, instead of a long negative list, and will face the same customs duty as shipments from other countries, Khan did not elaborate on the benefits that will come with the NDA tag.
Asked about the other promise on free trade through the Wagah-Attari border, which will increase movement of goods from both countries, Khan said it is “under active negotiation” and a decision may take place during his visit or next month, when commerce & industry minister Anand Sharma travels to Lahore for the India show. “We are hoping to have a positive (outcome) on that," he added.
He avoided a direct response to a question on allowing goods from India meant for Afghanistan to transit through the land route, saying that these consignments could enter Pakistan through Karachi port and then move further. “We are moving towards it and as confidence increases, it will happen,” he told another gathering at Ficci.
In September 2012, Pakistan had agreed to allow more trade via the land borders, while also granting MFN but it has so far failed to honour its commitment.
Khan, however, made a strong case for relaxing visa regime, improving mobile connectivity and facilitating banking relationship to boost trade and business between the two neighbours. “The non-tariff barrier has nothing to do with trade at all... It is the visa regime (which is hampering movement of businessmen and trade),” he said. Khan, who is leading a delegation of 70 businessmen, said that efforts were on to enhance two-way trade through the Wagah border.

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