Federal Cabinet approves roadmap to normalize trade with India

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Cabinet on Wednesday approved a roadmap to normalize trade with India by gradually eliminating the list containing 1209 negative items till December 31.

Briefing media persons after the 105th Federal Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said the government would protect the interests of the local industry.

The cabinet decided in principle to phase out the negative list between the two countries by December 31, 2012, which will complete the trade normalization process, the minister said.

She said normalizing trade ties with India was in the interest of Pakistan as it would not only help strengthen the national economy but boost economic activities in the region also.

The information minister said the trade between Indian Held Kashmir and Azad Jammu Kashmir had so far reached around Rs 14 to 15 billion through 14,000 truck-loads of goods.

She said both the countries were continuing bilateral trade across the Line of Control and it should be expanded to other areas for the benefit of two peoples.

Dr Firdous reiterated that Pakistan was fully committed to the Kashmir cause and had been extending moral and diplomatic support to the people of Kashmir.

She said the Cabinet strongly condemned the Kohistan incident in which 18 people were shot dead by terrorists.

She said Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani directed the Interior Minister to immediately visit Gilgit-Baltistan and help the administration control law and order situation in the aftermath of bus firing incident.

"The Prime Minister gave instructions that all assistance from the Federal Government be provided to the Gilgit-Baltistan Government and track down the culprits of the heinous crime," she said.

The minister said the law enforcement agencies had been directed to evolve a foolproof strategy to avoid occurrence of such incidents in future.

Briefing the Cabinet on the Kohistan incident, Interior Minister Rehman Malik said some elements wanted to fan sectarianism in the country to achieve their nefarious designs.

The Cabinet expressed the firm resolve to defeat the anti- state elements.

The Prime Minister also directed Rehman Malik to hold meetings with all stakeholders in Gilgit-Baltistan to promote religious harmony for ensuring peace in the area.

Dr Firdous said the Cabinet underlined the need for evolving a collective strategy to effectively tackle the conspiracy of fanning sectarianism and hatred in the society.

The Information Minister said a record turnout was witnessed in the recent by-elections in different constituencies of the country, terming it a "victory of democracy."

She said the Cabinet congratulated the Prime Minister and coalition partners on peaceful conduct of by-polls and expressed the satisfaction that the election results manifested confidence of the people in government policies.

She said holding elections was the only way for accountability of the politicians and the rulers. The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) was not shy of standing before `The Peoples Court.'

She was confident that the PPP would show good results in the upcoming general elections.

Dr Firdous said the Secretary Finance apprised the Cabinet that the inflation in the country was showing declining trend. However, there was a marginal increase in prices of some items due to the energy crisis.

During the week ending on February 23, there was decrease in the prices of 10 items, while those of 23 remained unchanged and of 20 items increased.

Prices of tomatoes, chicken, onion, LPG, potatoes, red chilies, wheat and wheat flour decreased during the said period. While, prices for beef, mutton, milk, cooking oil, electrical appliances, gas, kerosene oil, petrol and diesel remained unchanged, whereas rates of egg, vegetable ghee, tea, sugar, garlic, fresh milk, pulses and gram pulse witnessed upward trend, cabinet informed.

She said the Prime Minister directed the ministries concerned to expedite holding of an energy conference in Lahore.

Advisor to Prime Minister on Petroleum and Natural Resources Dr Asim Hussain informed the meeting that efforts were underway to hold the international energy conference in collaboration with World Bank soon.

Dr Firdous said the Cabinet reviewed the implementation status of its decisions on Narcotics Control, Petroleum and Natural Resources and Professional and Technical Training Divisions.

It also gave a go-ahead signal for negotiating the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the field of Academic Research and Cooperative Activities between Switzerland and Pakistan.

"The MoU will be helpful in enhancing relationship between National Defence University (NDU) of Pakistan and Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP), Switzerland," she added.

The minister said the meeting also approved initiating of talks on an MoU with Mauritius in the fields of health and medicines. The proposed MoU would provide an opportunity to Pakistani doctors and medical professionals to seek employment in Mauritius.

"It will also enhance bilateral cooperation in pharmaceutical sector and exchange of experts in order to realize short term trainings, improvement of professional skills and consultancy in health sector," she added.

She said it also approved to start talks and sign an agreement with Turkmenistan in the field of media. Under the agreement, Associated Press of Pakistan and Turkmenistan would enhance bilateral media cooperation.

Dr Firdous said the Cabinet also approved the Amendment Bill of the Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC), 2011. Under this amendment, Engineer-in-Chief of Pak Army would become a member of the Governing Body of Pakistan Engineering Council.

She said the government believed in freedom of expression and it did not intend to impose curbs on media. The government wants to strengthen and empower the media by making a code of conduct with the consultation of all stakeholders, she added.

She said that the PPP wanted to see media become an institution. The government has the credit of lifting restrictions on media imposed by the previous dictatorial regime, she recalled.

She said the government was constantly consulting the stakeholders and considered their suggestions before formulating any policy, law or regulation.

She said the government representatives, members of National Assembly and Senate committees, Council of Complaints and other stakeholders were taken on board while formulating the Content Regulation.

"It does not mean that the proposed draft will be finalized without the consultation of other stakeholders. No clause will be included in it without their consensus," she said.

The minister said the proposed draft would be shared with the civil society, the Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) and the general public, which would also be displayed on PEMRA's website for suggestions and recommendations.

The speculations that the government is planning to curb media, are not authentic, she added.

She said the Ministry of Information was acting as a bridge between the media and the PEMRA.

The minister said all institutions in the country were working under some rules and regulations and the media also needed an efficient code of conduct for its smooth functioning.

She highlighted the importance of a responsible and free media for strengthening democracy and stability in the country. "We want that the country's interests should be kept supreme."

About Balochistan issue, she said the government would take steps in consultation with the national leadership to resolve the problems faced by people of the province.

Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani had constituted a 14-member parliamentary committee to contact the political leadership for holding a mutually convened All Parties Conference (APC) on Balochistan.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2012