Senate body to get briefing on MFN status to India

RECORDER REPORT

ISLAMABAD: Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan on Thursday agreed to get briefing from Ministry of Commerce and Foreign Office on the government move to grant MFN status to India.

The understanding was reached during a meeting of the committee chaired by its Chairman Salim Saifullah Khan here at the Parliament House, when senator Sughra Imam, a PPP member in the panel, diverted attention of the panel towards the concerns that existed among various stakeholders regarding the MFN status to India.

The Chairman, in his observation, ruled that all the stakeholders should be taken onboard prior to taking final decision on granting MFN status to India. He said that a meeting of the committee would soon be convened on the matter and high officials of the Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Foreign Affairs would be asked to redress the concerns of the committee members. He said that a number of political parties, various chambers of commerce and trade bodies had raised concern on the government decision to grant MFN status to India.

Speaking on his personal capacity, the Chairman of the panel further stated that he was against the move of granting MFN status to India, adding that the government by taking the decision had changed 64 years old stance of the country on India.

Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Mian Manzoor Watto, however, said that the move was not about changing the country's stance, rather, he added granting MFN status to India had a historical perspective and the move did not mean that India would become the most favourite country for Pakistan.

Watto, said that the move had only been approved by the federal cabinet and no final decision had been taken. He further stated that it would be the Ministry of Commerce and Foreign Office who would brief the committee on the matter appropriately.

The Committee also discussed in details the working and performance of the Ministry of Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan, besides the constitutional status of the Gilgit-Baltistan. Senator Salim Saifullah Khan and other members of the Committee appreciated the Ministry's efforts for according identity to the people of GB and giving them rights.

The committee also expressed its desire to visit Srinagar to meet Kashmiri people across the Line of Control (LoC) and also interact with parliamentarians of the Indian occupied Kashmir. For that purpose, the Minister suggested that the committee should write a letter to the Prime Minister.

The penal also decided to visit Gilgit-Baltistan soon and interact with political leadership to apprise itself of the problems being faced by the local population. Members also appreciated the development projects being implemented there and expressed the hope that development initiatives would improve the life style of the people of GB and change their socio-economic conditions.

The Chairman of Committee lauded Mian Manzoor Ahmed Wattoo for taking keen interest in the affairs of the Ministry and bringing improvements in its performance. He said the Ministry could be a role model for other ministries.

Earlier, Minister for Kashmir Affairs and GB informed the committee about the steps taken by the government and said it was taking serious steps to empower the people of GB and was focusing on various development projects in the area.

The committee assured its complete support to the Ministry in overcoming challenges being faced by it.