Adviser to Prime Minister on Commerce and Textile Abdul Razak Dawood has said that China has extended duty-free access to Pakistan on 313 items under the new Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to be signed during the upcoming visit of Prime Minister Imran Khan to Beijing.
While responding the questions of the members during question hour session of the National Assembly on Wednesday, he told the House that China has agreed to provide Pakistan market access on the pattern of Association of South East Asian Nations ASEAN). He said that after China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement, the country's export earnings could increase by $500 million within a time span of 18 months. He said that the second phase of FTA with China will prove to be beneficial for Pakistan.
He said the new list is not limited to textile-specific products only but also includes textile goods, leather, engineering, chemicals, furniture, auto parts, plastic, rubber, paper board, ceramic, glass, surgical instruments, footwear, wood, articles of stones, sea food, meat, tractors, and home appliances, etc.
Abdul Razak Dawood said that the present government has enhanced regulatory duty on finished products in order to cut imports. As a result of these measures, imports witnessed reduction of $ 3.5 billion over the last 9 to 10 months. He said, "We also aim to bolster our exports which will help us reduce the trade deficit."
He said that Textile Policy is being formulated with the aim to enhance exports of textile related items. He said the Textile Division is coordinating with over 100 textile-related institutes, associations and chambers of commerce and industry for taking their input for the policy. He said the policy will take into account all the different aspects of textile industry and come up with cogent proposals for the problems being faced by the industry.
The advisor said Garment Cities at Faisalabad and Lahore are being extended by launching their Phase-II to construct additional buildings for SMEs to start value-added products. He said the financial matters relating to three hundred acres of Karachi Garment City and 1250 acres of Pakistan Textile City Limited at Karachi are being resolved.
Answering supplementary questions, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan said the federal government in consultation with relevant stakeholders, has chalked out a comprehensive plan to streamline the integration process of tribal districts.
He said that many actions have been initiated in financial, security, judicial and administrative domains. He said funds are being released for rehabilitation of displaced families of the tribal districts.
Responding to a calling attention notice, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan said that National Disaster Management Authority has provided relief assistance to the flood affectees in Balochistan. He said, "We provided 10,000 ration packets, tents, 10,500 blankets and 1,500 plastic mats to the flood affectees."
Responding to a calling attention notice, Parliamentary Secretary for Commerce, Shandana Gulzar Khan said that Pakistan's exports of dates to India had shrunk significantly after the Pulwama incident due to imposition of 200 percent duty on Pakistani dates by the Indian government. She said Pakistan used to export 98 percent of its dried dates to India and this export has also got affected due to the enhanced Indian duty structure.
Later, Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari introduced "The Zainab Alert, Response and Recovery Bill, 2019" in the House to make provisions for raising alert, response and recovery of missing, abducted and abused or kidnapped children.
Responding to the points of BNP leader Akhtar Mengal about the problems of Balochistan and not implementing six points agreed by the PTI government, Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari said that a bill on enforced disappearances has been drafted and sent to the Law Ministry.
"Many forces do not want to change the attitude with Baloch people. The grievances of Mengal are right, Mr Speaker, you should talk with the government and hurdles should be removed," she said.
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